After a rain-ridden Sunday, we were very lucky to have a clear and sunny Monday. Mel and I headed to Burlington, where we rented bikes and took on the Island Line Trail (see map), a spectacular 20-plus mile trail that stretches to a narrow causeway of what was once the Rutland Railroad Island Line.

The old Island Line Causeway circa early 1900s.

The Island Line Trail today.

We packed some water and trail mix and completed the trip in under 4 hours. Because the ferry that takes bikers across the 200 ft gap along the causeway doesn’t operate on weekdays, we didn’t get to make it across to South Hero. Perhaps next time. The combination of perfect weather, beautiful scenery, and endless lake breeze made today’s ride a superbly memorable one.

We arrived in Hinesburg, VT today for our week-long stay at a rented summer house on Lake Iroquois. We were happy to find a canoe in the backyard, and after a cautious first-time paddle not too far out, we decided venture about a mile into the lake. I found canoeing to be a very relaxing form of exercise although I wondered if I was paddling the correct way.

More to come this week!