Farewell to Champlain

Paradise Bay, N44 12 W73 24

(09/21/05) Today began the trip southward. I'm sailing alone from Burlington to Orwell. On 9/24 we'll leave the boat at Chipman Point Marina for two weeks. In those two weeks, I'll go to Fairbanks and back. We'll return to the boat on October 5 or 6, and unstep the mast. On the weekend of October 8,9 I'll take her back down through the Champlain canal to Albany (Pete Vonie take note).

One should never say never. However, it his highly likely that today marks the last time I'll see most of Lake Champlain, at least from the water. It was a fine farewell day, sunny, clear, warm and breezy. Tarwathie took the west wind in her teeth and surged south at up to 7.2 knots. Realizing that this may be the last time I see and experience my favorite places on Champlain inspired the following. It is *not* poetry.

Farewell Lake Champlain, my beloved haunt.
Thirty years have I sailed her, Thirty years have we loved.

Bye to Burlington, you first enchanted me.
Your charm has outgrown me. My emotions are mixed.

Most of all I'll miss Valcour, with her bays and your trails.
No other place ever offered such solace to the soul.
If I were land bound and could live anywhere, Valcour would be the place.

Good riddance Ferris Rock.
Nevermore will you alarm me as I navigate carelessly.

Farewell favorite landmarks.

• Clinton County Community College sits high above Valcour.

• A radar dome sits high behind Saint Albans.
• Colchester reef is prominent with its odd concrete block.
• The Presvalt's condos contrast white on a dark shore.
• Blodgett's lawn facing westward is delightfully placed.
  
• The Four Brothers Islands are unmistakable mid lake.
• I'll miss the island that looks like a bull from afar.
• Lake Champlain Ferries plotting forth and back.
• Split Rock point delimits the wide and narrow parts of the lake.
• Diamond Island mid channel now hosts squatters debris.
• Fort Ticonderoga peers down threatening with her cannons.
  

Farewell beloved mountains.

• Mansfield the great one lifts our hearts high.
• Camel's Hump summit, I've known you five times.
• Abrams with best views in Vermont, Pup and I slept there.
• Whiteface, famed from Olympics, I loved singling you out.
• Mount Lyons, stands alone and majestic, Malone on her backside.

Adieu Porter Bay where duck hunting season starts at five AM three meters from my anchored boat.

Bye Burton Island.
We have many fond memories of vacations on your shores.

Farewell fickle North Country winds.
Thanks to you, sailing on Champlain was never boring.

So long Sloop Cove whose beauty steals my heart every time I behold her.

Goodbye Willsboro boat launch with the world's cleanest outhouse.

Ahoy Porter Bay, my traditional start stop place.
Your waterfront is peopled by most interesting souls.
Your North Country culture is fondly remembered.

So long Champlain Bridge.
You gave me many brief glimpses of beloved waters.

Ahoy Champlain Ferries.
I loved riding onboard. I loved sailing beside you.

Allouete and adieu to our French Quebec neighbors.
This place wouldn't be the same without you.

Essex. Oh Essex. Oh Essex.
How charming you are.

Hats off to the vessel Nomad.
Your memorial I'll never forget.

Bye Otter Creek.
Your peaceful meanders I'll not forget.

Fare thee well the souls of Arnold and McDonough your war exploits inspire.

Farewell Champlain.
As I wander the world, half my heart will always be with you.