I thought I’d write a little post about some things to do in our neck of the woods. We are now entering the time of year when people naturally think of visiting our piece of Vermont. Which also means that we are entering the time of year when we innkeepers don’t get out and do any of the things the visitors come and see, we’re too busy tending the home fires, making beds and preparing food for their return. But, in stolen moments and certainly vicariously through their stories and experiences, we do see all the wonder that is Vermont in the summer.

One of our favorite things to do when we have a few hours off and want to get away from home is to get in the car and explore side roads, usually in search of lakes or ponds to dip into. Some of the lakes we’ve found, I’m not sure I could find again, or maybe I don’t really want to share all my secrets… But it is no secret that one of the most spectacular lakes near Shoreham isn’t actually in Vermont, it is Lake George in New York. Well, the secret may be how easy and close Lake George actually is to Shoreham. Using the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry, located 5 miles from the Inn here in Shoreham, it’s a seven minute cable ferry ride over to the town of Ticonderoga. And the very northern tip of Lake George is in Ticonderoga. It’s a long, gorgeous lake and the drive alongside it is wonderful. Last time we did it, I realized it’s the tall, tall green trees that make it feel like a different world from Vermont with it’s rolling, low green. You feel enclosed by green and it smells earthy and piney and wonderful. Yes, I realize that the town of Lake George itself (way down on the other end of the lake, 30 miles from the Ticonderoga end) has a reputation for lots of honky tonky arcades and masses of people, but you don’t have to go there unless you want to. Bolton Landing has some smaller shops and restaurants right on the lake, and there are public access points and camping locations at various points along the shore. I haven’t even mentioned Fort Ticonderoga itself, but maybe I’ll save that for another post about historic sites to explore.