From one lake to another. Yes, I'm back to my favorite county in Vermont that hugs Lake Champlain with a view of the Adirondacks to the West and the Green Mountains to the East. I've landed in Bridport, a town in Addison County founded October 9, 1761. The population hovers around 1,225 yet it's a hop, skip and a jump to the "cities" of Middlebury and Vergennes. 

An affordable room in "The Parsonage" brought me to this exact spot that's coincidentally owned by someone I met camping three years ago. Unfortunately, she's off working as a Park Ranger a few miles away, and I'm sharing her home with a very odd woman and her two invisible teens. Thankfully, I've had familiar faces come through town to share some time, as well as met friendly, chatty locals here and there. Yesterday, the weather brought me to the Shoreham Library where I had no less than five conversations. There was also gratis Cabot cheese and Champlain Orchards apples to enjoy -- oh, Vermont. 

It's hilly terrain for walking and cycling from this valley but my calves are back in tip-top shape! The atmosphere has been equally challenging as week 7(?) of rain and rain followed me; the Canadian smoke arrived one week later; and yes, the heat dome is hanging right over me at the moment. Remember when weather just influenced what you wore that day?

It's my 4th consecutive summer in this lovely area, yet I'm still holding a "things to do" list with less than a week before I move on to the Bay State. While this may not be the Vermont I hold dear in memories from the '70s and '80s, it still feels like Vermont.  

Moreau Lake State Park was a geographic choice but turned out to be a true find post-Memorial Day weekend. Situated at the foothills of the Adirondack mountains, the 4100 acres has a non-motorized boat lake where kayakers and fishers may be found, and 20+ miles of hiking trails. It's also a bird conservation area and I can attest to plenty of woodpeckers here. My first 3 days were lovely for hiking, relaxing, and even a short, hilly bike ride. The last 36 hours brought heavy rain, a few tent puddles, and tailgating for meals, but all good. It was warm, peaceful, and the air was fresh. Mother Nature even offered me a few hours of dry weather my last morning to pack up the homestead before hitting the road.