Heading back to New York and on to Canada eventually

Heading back to New York and on to Canada eventually

After several days in the Burlington Harbor we finally will cast off for a quick stop in Plattsburg and then head to the border.  Burlington is one of the best places for cruisers – how can a place be more perfect with a William and Sonoma and Pottery Barn a short walk up the hill as well as every kind of repair and provision within easy reach. Then there is the food culture here which includes one of the finest farmer’s markets anywhere plus a thriving restaurant, brewing and distilling scene – most all of this is very conveniently located to the city dinghy dock.  This town provides a huge mooring field that on this trip was largely empty.  Mooring balls are not free but they are still a great deal compared to the docks with shore power.  Needless to say we spent a lot of our time in Burlington on shore re-suppling the ship and refreshing our wardrobes, then eating our way through the many delicious options.  The biggest problem here is deciding where and what kind of food to eat at any of three meals – or snacks…… each day.  (Managed to find time to get a haircut and walk our socks off….there is a free bus up the hill into the shopping district, but after all the good food, the walk seemed prudent!) If it hadn’t been a little rainy and windy we might have biked that lovely trail along the lake…. Just have to come back once again.

In Plattsburgh we found a transient mooring ball newly installed by the Municipal Marina a short walk to the center of town along the Saranac River. We enjoyed a few hours before the storms rolled in and hope to return here as there was more to be explored than we had time for on this short visit.  The new facility is squeaky new and fresh in a lovely scenic spot in a park along the lake. Our ball was far enough from shore that the music in the neighboring Boat Basin restaurant did not disturb our sleep nor did the dregs of the storm.

We woke to a crisp sunny morning for our run to the Canadian border, but alas it was not meant to be.  We are still in the good USA waiting for stabilizer parts to catch up with us before we venture into the waters of the St Lawrence and the mighty Atlantic. The kind folks at Gaines Marina moved us into their harbor from the mooring field to weather the remnants of Bill that are buffeting our corner of Lake Champlain.  Departure is on hold until parts can be joined with the boat – but Rouses Point is not a bad place to spend a few days……or it will be once the weather clears up J