Just by luck, we caught 2 days of a 4-day Jazz Fest in Burlington. It was definitely a city-wide endeavor, with jazz being played on most restaurant verandas, many street corners, along Church St (a pedestrian mall near the UV campus) and on a large stage in the lakefront park next to our marina from 5-9pm each night. What a great, friendly,  and well-kept city!  Loved the Skinny Pancake, which serves up tasty fresh, local food combos in a crepe rather than on bread.

After leaving Burlington we anchored out in a bay adjacent to a VT state park on Saturday to take advantage of Vermont Weekend, when all state park fees are waived. We rowed our dinghy to an isolated spot on the shore and hiked some great trails, eventually ending at a pet- friendly area where Zeke swam to his heart’s content. It was a fine day until we were assailed on the trail by the park manager for breaking too many of his rules (one of which was picking up Zeke’s dog poop and hiking to the main parking lot to try to put in a waste container….it’s a long, odd story – remind us to tell it to you when we’re back!)  His gruff, unfriendly attitude dampened the moment, but nonetheless, it was a scenic spot, we had a nice quesadilla dinner on the boat, and got to retest our anchoring skills.

After a stay in St. Albans Bay the following night, we reached the northern end of Lake Champlain at Rousses Point and left the views of the Green Mountains and Adirondacks behind. Passing through the small Canadian Customs office at the start of the Richelieu River (which flows into the St Lawrence Seaway) was a breeze.  The marina at St Paul I’ile aux Noix was our first night in Quebec and of many to come in Canadian waters.  We didn’t know it was really a marina for smaller power boats, but Renee, the owner, welcomed us graciously and assured us he had a spot for us when we called ahead.  Indeed he did, but it was a tight fit !!

We went only 11 miles up the Richelieu the next day in rain and fog to reach the town of St Jean-sur-Richelieu where we tied up on a town wall. After the sun emerged, we discovered a wonderful park, art work, and bikepaths along the city riverfront. Ned enjoyed his first poutine (think french fries with cheese curds and gravy on top 😝) of the trip. The artistic Pont Gouin drawbridge over the river (completed 5 yrs ago) was quite a sight both day and night.

The next 10-mile section of the river is more channelized. With its 9 bridges and 9 locks, it comprises the Chambly Canal. The staff who coordinate and physically open the locks and many of the bridges are all Canadian Parks employees, who are most helpful and friendly. We shared the first lock with a Canadian couple on a sailboat and were asked by staff to stay close together so they could physically monitor and coordinate our whole 10-mile journey with a single opening of each bridge and lock….it worked like magic and within a few hours we were in the beautiful little town of Chambly where we explored some more, drank some fine craft beer and enjoyed a good lunch and ice cream.

It was misting, windy and in the 50s when we left Chambly in the morning and it never really let up all day.  We reached the Richelieu’s confluence with the St Lawrence shortly after noon and we were happy to tuck into a marina in Sorel where we stayed for 2 nights to let the wind and rain finish their performance.  We know the rain is good for the Canadian fires, so we bided our time in reasonable spirits.  Had wonderful flatbread pizzas as a reward for our patience.  Heading upstream on the St Lawrence to Montreal next!