Lake Champlain Loop - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 881

Chamber of Commerce
1. Westport
Lake Champlain is 120 miles long and flows from Whitehall, New York, to its outlet at the
Richelieu River in the Province of Quebec, Canada. The lake's unusual shape is drastically
tapered at its southern tip, where it shrinks to the width of a weedy stream, and at Ticond-
eroga, the site of one of the lake's three ferry crossings, it seems as if anyone with a strong
arm and a tailwind could hurl a baseball right across its quarter-mile-wide span. Just a few
miles north, though, the lake broadens to truly impressive dimensions, reaching a maxim-
um width of 12 miles near the Vermont town of Burlington.
From Ticonderoga, follow Rte. 9N/22 north along the western shore through Crown
Point, Port Henry (not far from the Champlain Bridge, which will be crossed later in the
drivewhenyoureturntoNewYorkfromVermont),andthelakesidetownofWestport.The
main street, perched above Westport's busy marina, offers sweeping panoramic views of
the lake in all of its moods.
If you're especially patient—who knows?—you might manage to catch a glimpse of
Champ, Lake Champlain's own version of the Loch Ness Monster. Samuel de Champlain,
exploring these waters in 1609, was the first to note something of the sort, writing of a
20-foot-longserpent-likecreature.Sincethen,Champsightingshavebecomearegularfea-
ture of life along Champlain, though somewhat ironically, this elusive creature has a knack
for appearing only at those moments when no camera is available. Learn all about Champ
attheECHOLakeAquariumandScienceCenterwhenyouarriveinBurlingtonlaterinthe
trip.
2. Essex
Among the most picturesque villages on the New York side, tiny historic Essex is a test-
ament to when the lake was part of the major route from New York City to Montreal,
Canada. The town's main street, which parallels the lakeshore, is lined with stately shade
trees and Federal-style houses and stone churches and warehouses. Two small marinas oc-
cupythesnugnaturalharbor,whichalsoservesasthelandingfortheEssex-Charlotteferry.
For a relaxing break from driving, visit the galleries and antique stores. Spend a restful
eveningatoneoftheharbor'scharmingcafesorinns,whereyoucanwatchthegildedglow
of the Green Mountains as they catch the last rays of the setting sun. In the hour before