The Green Mountain State

Entering new territory. I have never been in the state of Vermont. As it is, I’m barely in it. I’m just across the Lake Champlain bridge in the D.A.R. State Park on the lake’s shoreline. We dropped out of the Adirondacks fast into Port Henry and then skirted around the southern tip of the lake and across the bridge. Remnants of a British Fort on Crown Point are visible. Earlier, 1731, the French built a fort on the same location to keep the British out. It didn’t work. In 1759 the  British Fort Crown Point was built. Apparently it didn’t work out for them either. In 1955 the Daughters of the American Revolution donated 95 acres which became the Stare Park we are now in. 

Even before all these shenanigans, Native Americans inhabited this land for 7,500 years making this area the earliest and most intensely settled areas of Vermont. 

But before we descended here, we still had some hills to climb in the Adirondacks. There were some sprinkles during the night. And there was evidence that we were chasing some rain clouds as we pedaled east. However, we stayed dry…from the rain. The humidity returned and on the steep climbs we were dripping. However the scenery is gorgeous. Babbling brooks, marshes with Moose Crossing Signs, High Peaks on the Horizon and Bison… Yep, American Buffalo…Tetonka. A private herd purchased from Montana. However, bison did roam most of the country including New York. 

It was 25 miles to North Hudson. If Newcomb wasn’t much of a town, North Hudson really hasn’t earned its dot on the map. We were expecting a restaurant but it was under renovation. Second breakfast was found in a gas station and not worth mentioning. 

Another 15 or so miles that included a couple more pulls up and over brought us to Port Henry with the promise of some fine dining…all opening on Wed morning. We found a convenience store that served some pretty good ice cream. Welcomed in this near 90 degree humidity. We grabbed some sandwiches and headed to camp. 1/2 a mile down the road we found Gene’s Hotdog Stand open. They were doing a banner business this Tuesday. They had hamburgers and chicken sandwiches also. I had a Michigan. Yep a Michigan. It’s a chili dog but the chili lacks beans. Perfect. 

As we entered Vermont we noticed our choices for fine dining the next couple days do not open until Thursday. Good thing I brought a backpack stove. We will survive. 

Tomorrow is a rest day. We need to explore some to find food, but there is also the Gen John Strong Mansion, an early American revolutionary. 

For now we are rather enjoying the peace and quiet of the DAR State Park.