Cynthia - Click to enlarge Edition #16, 5 May 2008

Hello, my name is Cynthia, a mermaid from the cool waters of New England. Thank you for visiting my website on coastal New England. A new article is posted here every two weeks.

If you missed any of my previous articles, you can find links to them here.

Grand Isle, Vermont

This week, we return to the 'West Coast of New England' with a visit to the town of Grand Isle. Located just 25 miles north-northwest of Burlington, Vermont, Grand Isle can be found on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain. The city is known as the 'Beauty Spot of Vermont', and just one visit will convince you. Here is a map of Grand Isle and the Hero islands.

When visiting Grand Isle, be sure to spend some time at the Grand Isle State Park. The park features ample tent and trailer sites, lean-to sites, and a limited number of cabin sites. The rest rooms have hot showers, but there is a fee for their use. Areas around the lake feature water access for swimming and fishing from shore. The park office offers the rental of kayaks and rowboats to registered campers. If you are not a water person, try the nature walk or a game of volleyball or horseshoes.

Lake Champlain, Grand Isle, VT Grand Isle State Park campers are allowed free access to the beach at Knight Point State Park, just seven miles north. They also have access to Alburg Dunes State Park, nineteen miles to the north.

The Grand Isle Lake House is the perfect place for weddings and corporate events. The spectacular view of Lake Champlain is sure to please. This historic Lake House was built over 100 years ago, and is currently owned by the Preservation Trust of Vermont. The Trust raises the funds necessary to support restoration and maintenance of the house and property.

Lake Champlain Ferries offers a 12 minute year-round ferry from Grand Isle to Plattsburgh, New York. Note that departure times may vary depending on weather conditions. In addition, some departure times are not available on Sundays.

The Ed Weed Fish Culture Station began raising fish in 1991. It is one of five state fish hatcheries, and is the newest and largest of the five. The Station raises trout and Atlantic salmon for statewide stocking. Self guided tours of the facility are available. The Station is located in Grand Isle on Route 314, across from the ferry to Plattsburgh.

If you're a golfer, you will want to visit the nine-hole Wilcox Cove public golf course on Camp Vermont Court. This par 32 course has been open since 1947.

Restaurants in Grand Isle include the Grand Isle Ferry Dock Restaurant, the Blue Paddle Bistro, Five Islands Pizzeria, and Pan's South Hero Pizza. For a wider selection, visit the nearby towns of South Hero, Colchester, Milton, and Burlington.

More information on beautiful Grand Isle can be found at www.grandislevt.org and www.vtstateparks.com.  If you should see me in the water, be sure to wave!

Contact me

You may write to me at to share your comments and questions. Your email may appear in a future article, so please include your first name and last initial. I would also like to know where you are from.

Join me in welcoming Tilley's Cafe as my latest sponsor. Be sure to pay them a visit. If you own a business and would like to sponsor an article, write to me for details.

Until next time, may you enjoy warm days and calm seas.

Love,
Cynthia

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Photo Credits:
Cynthia at Sunrise: DSI Photo
Lake Champlain: Webshots

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