Where Charlotters Recreate
By
Elizabeth Bassett

Where do Charlotters go Out-Doors?
Louisa and Mark Schibli, with children Jack- age 11, Scott at 9, and
7-year-old Anna, have a varied list of summer activities. "We love the
Burlington Bike Path. We park at ECHO and pedal north all the way to
the Causeway," Louisa says. "It's mostly flat, easy riding and just
beautiful. We've also roller bladed that route. We mountain bike at
Catamount Family Center in Williston and, closer to home, we leave the
car at Point Bay Marina and ride around Thompson's Point."
The Schiblis often walk up Mt. Philo and at least once each summer
hike Snake Mountain. "The views are incredible," Louisa says. Sunset
Ledge on the Long Trail is another Schibli favorite with a western
vista from a higher perch. Park at the Lincoln Gap and hike south, 1.1
miles. There is a steep stretch of trail so this is not for the
littlest hikers but the expansive view is unrivaled for a two mile walk.
"Right here in town," Louisa says, "we take our kids to the
playground at CCS, pick fruit at the Charlotte Berry Farm, and of
course we go to the beach for tennis, swimming, and hanging out on the
rocks- when there are any!"
Mac and Virginia Keyser often bike in the evening with friends. Using
north-south routes on Spear, Dorset, Mt. Philo, Greenbush, and Lake
Roads it's possible to weave dozens of variations on 10 to 20-mile
routes. "You pass through more than one climate on some rides," Mac
said recently as he rolled into a wall of cold air floating above the
Charlotte Beach. On a sunny Sunday in May- yes, there was at least
one, Jon and Louise Fairbank pedaled this route with Carol and Owen
Clay, working off brunch at Bistro Sauce in Shelburne. "The food was
delicious," Jon says. "This is a great place to bike."
Mary Ellen Hebert loads her kayak on the car to explore the Otter
Creek and Lake Champlain. "It's hard to believe how few people take
advantage of the magnificent water resource in our midst," she says.
One of Mary Ellen's favorite paddling destinations is the Palisades,
on the New York shoreline just south of Split Rock. The closest
departure point is the boat access on Ft. Cassin Road, not far south
of Kingsland Bay State Park. "You can see the Palisades from Mt.
Philo," Mary Ellen says. "They plunge straight down to the lake. In
the spring waterfalls tumble down." With motorboat traffic heavy in
summer, Mary Ellen suggests wearing a bright life vest if your boat
and paddle aren't highly visible. "I keep my eyes open and paddle as
fast as I can across the stretch of open lake." A round-trip outing
from Ft. Cassin Road to the Palisades takes two to three hours.
The Vermont Atlas & Gazetteer is an indispensable companion for any
outing. Since the advent of E-911, street names appear in the new
versions along with fishing and boating accesses, wildlife management
areas for hunting, historic sites, and a myriad other recreational and
scenic locations. If I followed my own advice I'd keep one in each car!
Need courage, company, instruction, or inspiration? Two Charlotters,
Barbara Kittredge and Judy Rowe, lead women's paddling trips for the
Senior Center. The duo guides women of all abilities on varied
itineraries in kayaks and canoes. This season the four destinations
include North Hero, Lake Dunmore, and the Lamoille River in two
locations, West Milton and Jeffersonville. Contact the Senior Center
at 425-6345 to sign up or call Judy at 425-4121 with questions.
Currently there is a waiting list for all four dates.
While the Senior Center outings are all a distance from Charlotte,
Judy Rowe says two of her favorite trips are close to home. "I've seen
more wildlife on the Little Otter Creek Marsh than anywhere else." Two
fishing accesses open near the Little Otter Creek Marsh, one off Long
Point Road and the other on Hawkins Road, both in Ferrisburg. "I've
seen lots of turtles and a huge pike," Judy says. On a recent
Saturday, from a canoe, Dana Farley identified an osprey on Little
Otter and Mary Ellen has spotted many nesting osprey as well as "a
cute little mink!"
Judy's other favorite destination is from the Bay Road access at the
base of Shelburne Bay. "To the right is the LaPlatte River. Once,
years ago, I saw a moose here. I've also seen night herons," Judy
says. Paddling north into Shelburne Bay, Judy suggests hugging the
shoreline to the left (west side). "A great four-hour round trip takes
you to the Shelburne Shipyard. There are several tiny beaches along
the way, including one that is part of the Lake Champlain Paddlers
Trail."
The Marston family, Gregg and Caroline with their children Sarah,
Chase, and Jake, are avid hikers. "We're getting in shape now because
this summer we're hiking in the Dolomites," Caroline says. Two
full-day hikes, perfect for the expansive daylight hours of high
summer, require two cars. "Both involve hiking up Camel's Hump on the
Burrows trail, then walking either north or south on the Long Trail.
To the south park a second car at the Appalachian Gap on Route 17. To
the north, leave a car where the Long Trail hits the Winooski River,"
Caroline says. "Some of our favorite day hikes are old standards,
Sunset Ridge on Mt. Mansfield, Mt. Hunger- from either side, Mt. Abe.
In the Adirondacks we love Noonmark, which isn't too far from the
ferry, and for young families you can't beat Poke-O-Moonshine
Mountain. It's a short (2.4-mi. round trip), steep hike with a great
summit of 360-degree views of lakes and mountains. It's easy to drive
to as well. I've hiked Algonquin several times in the clouds- I've
never seen the view. I hear it's spectacular!"

Take along the Green Mountain Club's "Long Trail Guide," and their
"Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont." Another good resource is the "Hiker's
Guide to the Mountains of Vermont," by Jared Gange. The Adirondack
Mountain Club publishes guides for across the pond. For a wide range
of Vermont activities, including fishing, horseback riding, Alpine
slides, water parks, museums, restaurants, and lodging, dial
1-800-VERMONT or go to www.VermontVacation.com.