Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-22
A DELIGHTFUL SAIL.
Notes OF u Trip on the Reindeer, and
some Facts OfInterest TO the Pub-


some Facts of Interest TO the Pnb-
lic.l
Lake Champlain Is no.ed far and wide
among tourists for lis telightful mountain
and island scenery. A pleasure trip between
the st. Lawrence and the Hudson is consid-
cred incomplete without sail up or down
the BEAUTIFUL lake OF historic memory. Near
ly any day, during The Summer months, q
large party of tourists may be seen upon the
decks OF the regular line boats, aud recently
number of private yachts, canoes and pleas
ure boats have passed through our waters.
Tue charms of sail along the pleasant
shores of Vermont and New York with the
Adiroudacks upon one side and the Green
Mountains on the other now winding
through beautiful islands, now crossing an
expanse of water with low lying coast but
dimly visible under the horizon-the charms
Of such sail rs this are sufficient tn draw
hilher thousands Of tourists from all over
the country; and yet they are
but inadtquately appreciated, We fear,
| by those who are so fortunate
as to live within constant reach of them. A
pleasure trip upon our lake steamers is some
| Thing that Burlington people rarely enjoy
probably because the opportunity lacks the
cnchantmcnt of cosliness aud inpracticabil-
ity. hope, however than many OF our
people will be led to avail themselves of the
opportunity afforded by the Grand Isle
Steamboat company, to take one of the pleas
antest-if not the pleasautest-trps on the
lake, at minimum expense, both Of money
and of time. We refer to the evening
trip of the steamer REINDEER from this
city TO North Island. We recently had
the pleasure of this most delightful
sail, through the courtesy OF Superintendent
Conant, and under the hUsptablc care OF
Capt. Rockwell. The Reindeer leaves Ceu-
trail dock at $50 p. M, and crosses the lake
to Pittsburgh just IN advance Of the steamer
Vermont and one Of the pleasures of the
trip to the passengers on both boats, is the
delightful uncertainty as TO which boat will
reach the dock at Plattsbursh first The
Reindeer is a very fast boat, but the superior
size of the Vermont, and the fact that she
draws less water than the Reindeer, of course
gives her the advantage. Much depends on
the relative amount of freight unloaded at
Port Kent, as to which boat comes out ahead.
This season, we believe, with her usual start,
the Reindeer has generally reached Platts-
burgh first After the excitement Of the
race, and the beautiful ride between the New
York shore and NAlcour island the Rein
deer leaves Plattsburgh, and crosses the lake
to Gordon's Landing, on South Island. Steer
ing northward again, she then enters upon
the most picturesque part of her trip, 1t is
now nearing sunset, and the islands to the
west arc bathcd in rosy light If the water
is calm-as on the evening of our trip tile
deep, dark reflection OF the trees foliage
in the water, and the lighter spaces above,
where the trunks are mirrorcd, standing
apart, gives the impression that Que
is looking under the island, and can see the
water beyond-a very pretty illusion, and
well worth the trip in itstlf. The boat soon
approaches the mouth of the "Gut," as the
passage between the North and South Islands
is called and We wonder not at the name,
for here our course becomcstruly devious aud
wonderfully involved. The channel is wind
ing and narrow, and ii takes steady hand,
quick eye, and the perfect knowledge of the
course possessed by the experienced pilot Of
the Reindeer to carry us safely through At
the entrance TO the Gut, on the left are
the two beautiful islands known as "rhe
| Sisters" On the right is II juttlny point,
with little gem OF an island d few rods
further out. On the point and the island
pretty Summer houses have been built, and
one is tempted to envy the good taste of
those who have been the first to select these
charming sites for their vacation resorts. The
boat makes one landing in the Gut, and
then energies in the eastern siie of the
islands, ami takes strnish, course
for North Island city at which
noisy metropolis she lies over night, lulled
by the croaking of myraid drowsy frogs
and surrounded by the fragrance OF apple
orchards and the indcscrbaby pleasant odor
of port renowned for 'mlchc lyshr."
AT 1;30 in the morning she starts upon her
return trip, bringing the pleasure seeker back
to his business in this city, rc.iuvisoratci and
wonderfully "braccd up at about 1913.
The trip is an especially delightful one Tor
a small party Of ladies and gentlemen, who
desire the combined epjoymcnts of an even
ing sail on the water, good Jmmodations
and capital fare, and n chance to trip the
light fantastic if 50 inclined. The state
rooms are large, airy and well furnshed, the
table ia all that could be d, aired, aud the
officers of the boat are cmiucntly cou teous
aud obgiug, We certainly know of No trip
near home more inexpensive, more varied
and novel, ANA more satisfactory in the end,
than sail between the rival cities of the
lake. The Reindeer, We are glad to learn,
is doing II large business this scason-ncariy
n hundred per cent better than last season
and the opportunity will he open to cur pco-
pie to see something of the various ports of
which she has been the ''makiag," while
enjoying the pleasant trip through the
| Islands,