July 5th, 2016
Town Farm Bay, Charlotte, VT
I awoke this morning on Appletree Bay Beach under a rising sun that immediately heated up the inside of my tent so I had to get out. It was early, way too early. I set to making breakfast when Gordo, the homeowner came out to say Goodbye as he was headed off to work. I finished breakfast and packed up my gear when Gordo’s wife came out to see if I needed anything before she and the kids left. She told me the kids had enjoyed playing Volleyball with me, which made me feel good because it’s been a long time since I got to play like that; I had enjoyed it too. I took the opportunity to refill my water supply and thanked her and her family for the hospitality and then off I went into the lake.
The Juniper Island, which seemed so close to me when I launched, took an hour and a half to get to. The water was flat, there was no wind and the sun was blazing. I paddled onto Quaker Smith Point next and stopped for lunch at the shoreline of Vanderbilt Mansion, which I shared with some Canadian Geese.
Upon leaving there I headed for my next point on the chart, Wings Point. It was unbearably hot. Actually, I could stand the heat; it was the lack of any breeze that made it difficult to breath. The air was stagnant and I was running out of steam. I jumped in the water twice during this paddle to cool down and I had not seen a single person all day. I only saw a couple of other boats way off in the distance and a few I could hear but not see. The sun had reduced my energy level and the loneliness had reduced my motive. I was barely making any headway despite the lake of wind or waves against me. I was paddling with my eyes closed and would only open them every once in a while to be sure I was still headed in the right direction, then I heard something.
I though I was dreaming when I first heard it and opened my eyes. Then I heard it again. My Name! Someone somewhere is calling my name. It has to be a coincidence that someone one shore is named Larry, but there it was again and it was coming from shore, it was coming from behind me. I turned around to see a motorboat full of people waving their arms in the air yelling LARRY. Though I had barely been paddling, I stopped and waved back. They were headed right toward me.
Upon pulling up, one of the women shouted “We’re the girls from Miami” Yes, the two women I met paddle boarding the day before began following my blog and they brought out the whole family to meet me. For the loneliest day on the water, this was the best gift I could have been given. An entire boatload of energy and enthusiasm picked up my spirits and gave me new energy. We chatted for a bit and talked about meeting up again when I reach Miami and then we said good-bye. They stayed and went for a swim and as one of the kids jumped into the water, he jokingly shouted “I’m coming for you Larry” I waved and smiled and paddled on with new energy.
My hope was to reach the Charlotte-Essex Ferry crossing this day and I had now achieved this thanks to the visit from my new friends so I began asking for a place to camp for the night. The first two people were again on Paddle Boards, they directed me further ahead to a State Park next to a blue house. I paddled on and looked, but didn’t see it. I passed Cedar Beach and decided that the next point I would tuck into and begin asking people on the shoreline. That was Thompsons Point aka Whisky Beach. I began asking people along the shoreline and was getting one rejection after another. I even helped one guy unhook a giant Pike from a fishing line. It was so big, it wouldn’t fit into his net, but he didn’t own the house so he couldn’t give me permission so I paddled on. Three rejections, four if I count the paddle boarders, and then I spotted someone in a hammock on the shore. I paddled over and asked. She went and got her boyfriend who’s house it was and they said yes.
Ralph and Amy were incredibly welcoming to me. Amy made me a sandwich and brought me water as I set up my tent and after they invited me in for drinks. We walked down to Whisky Beach for sunset and met a woman there with a cute One and a Half year old pup who loved to fetch. I got some great pictures of the dog in the sunset (look close at the sun and you’ll see her). After sunset, we headed home after dark and Amy made some dinner for us. Then we went out to sit under the stars. It was a beautifully clear night and the stars were putting on a magnificent show. It was the perfect end to a long hot day.
I believe I’ve hot the halfway point on the lake. At least, I am on the other side the chart I’m carrying.
Day 4 done!
Enjoy the pictures
So glad you are making new friends and enjoying your venture. Be safe