L A K E   C H A M P L A I N   F E R R I E S

Port Kent, New York to Burlington, Vermont

Monday, September 27, 2004

Sight: #15

Location: Burlington-Port Kent Ferry Route

Hours: Open year round

Admission: $14.75 one way, $27.00 round trip - car and driver, add more for passengers.

Phone: (802) 864-9804

Links: Official Website | Email

Rating:

(5 max)

About an hours drive east of Adirondack State Park in Upstate New York I find myself in dire need of boat transportation. Separating me from Burlington, VT is Lake Champlain, the 6th largest fresh water lake in the United States. If the lake weren't so darn long, running north and south over 100 miles, there'd be a chance to circumnavigate it. Unfortunately, I'm jabbed smack dab into the lake's mid-section and there's no easier way to go but over it. So, with travel plans in hand, I buy my ferry ticket, park the van, then wait for the next ferry to arrive from Vermont.

While waiting I check out a nearby travel brochure hut for information on covered bridges. I'm entertaining the idea of a covered bridge themed bike ride. When I think of Vermont, I always first think of covered bridges. Well, I strike out, there is nothing on covered bridges. But, by golly, there's a whole stack of brochures for Ausable Chasm!

The ferry finally arrives, upon which myself and a number of other 4-wheeled passengers pile onboard. This marks my second ferry ride of the trip. My first was a jaunt out to San Juan Island in Washington State.