Burlington Boathouse

Burlington, VT  2015

I'm sure this place is much busier in the warmer summer months.  By the middle of October, most of the boats have been removed from the water for the winter.  It was pretty cold the morning of my cruise on Lake Champlain,  right around freezing with a stiff breeze blowing.  Later in the day I would see some heavy snow squalls.  Winter isn't far off. 

Red Rocks

South Burlington, VT  2015

Here's another interesting geologic formation seen along the shores of Lake Champlain.  The red color of these rocks comes from the high iron oxide content.  The sediments forming these rocks were laid down 500 million years ago when Vermont was close to the equator and under a tropical sea.  Over time the sediments became cemented into sandstone.  The heat and pressure which resulted from tectonic forces about 450 million years ago changed the sandstone into quartzite seen today.  This is part of the Monkton Quartzite formation.  This rock was quarried and can be found in some of the redstone buildings in Burlington and on the campus of the University of Vermont. 

Lone Rock Point - The Champlain Thrust

Lake Champlain, 2015

Lake Champlain was formed when the last glaciers receded about 12,000 years ago.  It's hard to believe but this whole region was under 1-2 miles of ice.  Shortly after the glaciers receded, this land was below sea level due to the weight of the ice.  This allowed the Atlantic Ocean to flow into the lake via the St Lawrence River, so at one time this was a body of salt water.  The land rebounded above sea level, and over a period of time the salt water was slowly replaced with fresh water.  This photo shows a very famous geological feature known as the Champlain Thrust, a thrust fault where older rocks were forced over younger rocks .

Lake Champlain

Burlington, VT  2015

Before we sailed, I was able to get some shots of Lake Champlain from the docks.  This is the view looking northwest across the lake into New York state.  

The Spirit of Ethan Allen

Burlington, VT  2015

I spent a weekend recently in Burlington, VT, right on the shores of Lake Champlain.  Although much smaller than any of the Great Lakes,  the locals here like to consider Lake Champlain to be another "Great" lake.  It's over 120 miles long and lies on the border between New York and Vermont.  At places it reaches depths of 325 feet.  It was a very strategic water way during the French and Indian War as well as the Revolutionary War.  This sight seeing boat was about to embark on a 1.5 hour cruise on the lake and on a crisp autumn Sunday morning, I was along for the sail.  I can't turn down the opportunity to spend some time on a boat. 

Bull

Wolfboro, NH 2015

I'm not sure what variety of bull this is, but he didn't seem to mind posing for me.

New London Harbor

New London, CT  2015

Fort Trumbull

Fort Trumbull State Park, New London, CT  2015

Stadium Construction

Notre Dame, 2015

The football stadium is currently undergoing it's second major renovation in the last 20 years, adding additional classroom space and function space.  It looks like there could be some luxury sky boxes as part of this project.  The original stadium is still part of this structure, buried beneath the new facades.  I wonder what Knute Rockne would think about all this.  

South Quad

Notre Dame, 2015

It gave me a great bit of comfort that despite all the changes on the campus over the last 40 years, this particular quad looks pretty much the same as it did when I was a student.  

The Golden Dome

Notre Dame,  IN, 2015

I returned to Notre Dame a few weekends ago to attend the Centennial Reunion of the Notre Dame Glee Club.  It's been over 40 years now since I've graduated, and sang with the Glee Club.  There were over 500 hundred Glee Club alumni on campus that weekend, and between lots of singing, socializing, and reminiscing I was able to take a few shots around campus.  This is the famous Administration Building, known for the Golden Dome topped with statue of the Virgin Mary.  

Oliver Hazard Perry

New London, CT  2015

Columbia

New London, CT  2015

Whale Boat and Ferry

New London, CT

USNS Trenton - Bow

New London, CT  2015

Some facts about the USNS Trenton

Length 337.9 ft

Beam 93.5 ft

Draft(full load) 12.57 ft

Displacement(full load) 2,460 long tons

Speed 35 knots

Civilian crew 22

USNS Trenton-Close Up

New London, CT  2015

I hope that this picture gives a sense for the size of the USNS Trenton.  It looked as thought the hull was made of stainless steel.  I asked a crew member about this and he told me that the ship's hull is made from brushed aluminum, which is much lighter than steel.  Notice that the hull is not painted, which would also add weight.  This ship was built for speed.

USNS Trenton

New London, CT  2015

One of the many attractions featured at this year's Maritime Heritage Festival in New London was the USNS Trenton, which is part of the Military Sea Lift Command.  This naval vessel was delivered to the Navy this past April and is one of 11 joint high-speed vessels that have either been built or are currently under construction.  The much smaller ship seen here is the USCGC Ida Lewis, a Coast Guard buoy tender.  I'll be sharing some more pictures and some facts about the Trenton in future posts.  It is a very impressive ship.

Schooners on the Thames

New London, CT  2015

Waterfront Park

New London, CT  2015

New London has a nice walkway along the Thames River.  On this particular weekend, the city was having a Maritime Heritage Festival, so the walkway was decorated with the flags seen here. 

Stairway to Overpass

Niantic, CT  2015

Fishing the Niantic

Niantic, CT  2015

I can see myself sitting here in a few short years, after retirement. 

Shed

Niantic, CT  2015

Niantic Bay Marina

Niantic, CT  2015

I've photographed these docks in winter when there were no boats.  This was taken towards the end of summer, and in another couple of weeks, all the boats will be out of the water for the winter.

Capt. John's

Niantic, CT  2015

I've been out of town lately, and haven't been able to post in a couple of days.  October has  turned out to be a busy month for me, and posts will be sporadic this month.  

The Alice

Norwich, CT  2015