Last Updated: May 2026
We made our way back to Barton, Vermont — a homecoming of sorts. It had been a couple of months since Jake and Sadie had seen each other, and at six months old Sadie had roughly doubled in size, which made playtime considerably more equal and considerably more energetic. Tired dogs, as any dog owner knows, are the very best dogs. We were glad to be back.
Barton, Vermont in Early Fall
It was late September, and Barton was in that in-between state that the Northeast does so well at the turn of the season — warm days, cool nights, and the light shifting to that particular golden autumn quality. The fall color was coming in, though a dry summer had browned many leaves before they could fully turn. Peak color was still a week or two away. What was already spectacular were the maple trees that had managed to turn, blazing against the grey-green of the others.
Barton is a genuinely picturesque small town, the kind of place where photo opportunities appear around every corner. Sandy grew accustomed — just barely — to my habit of hitting the brakes at the last second when something caught my eye. The rolling hills, old farms, and weathered barns of the Northeast Kingdom are endlessly photogenic, and I made no apologies.
Apple trees were everywhere — loaded with ripe fruit, with many apples fallen to the ground around the bases of the trees. The local wildlife — deer, bears — would make short work of the windfalls. Sylvia, meanwhile, had plans for applesauce.
During our stay, Aunt De, Jeannette, and Bob came to visit — longtime friends with whom the years have clearly been well spent. There is something admirable about friendships that hold their warmth and humor across decades, and these three have it in abundance. It was a real pleasure to spend time with them.
Burlington, Vermont
On our way out of Vermont we stopped for one night near Burlington, camping at a spot right on Lake Champlain. The campground had a huge beach and delivered yet another stunning sunset over the water — Lake Champlain frames a spectacular western sky at the end of the day. Burlington itself was buzzing with students returning for the fall semester, which gave the whole city a particular energy. It reminded me of arriving in Boulder, Colorado at the start of college — that charged, expectant feeling of a university town at the beginning of the academic year.
With the summer season winding down and few tourists around, Jake got to enjoy some off-leash time on the beach. He made excellent use of it — until a squirrel caught his eye and all pretense of posing for photographs evaporated completely.
Lake Champlain Ferry
To cross into New York without the long drive around the lake, we took the Lake Champlain ferry from Charlotte, Vermont to Essex, New York — a route south of Burlington that cuts directly across the lake. The fare was $43.50, and while going around would have cost more in diesel, the real reason to take the ferry is the crossing itself: spectacular views of both the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east, with the broad lake stretching in both directions. A short crossing, a great experience.
Staying with Rich and Sylvia
Rich and Sylvia generously had us stay at their property. Rich had cleared and carefully leveled a spot specifically for the motorhome — the kind of thoughtful preparation that makes parking a 40-foot coach far less of an ordeal than it might otherwise be. Jake was thrilled to have free run of the property, though with bears actively frequenting the area we still kept a close watch on him.
Danielle and Lexa came by to visit, and it was great to catch up with them. Rich was preparing to leave for Quebec for fall deer season — an expedition I found myself genuinely envious of. And Sandy got extended time with her mother, which is always the real priority. The two of them are best friends as much as they are mother and daughter, and watching them together is one of the quiet pleasures of these Vermont visits.
