Today's numbers are 1 and 25 - any winners??
1. Lake Champlain
http://www.lcmm.org/shipwrecks_history/ ... istory.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank
Lake Champlain has been in constant use since humans have lived near it. Indigenous peoples used it for food, water, transportation, spiritual guidance, and adapted tools to use to reap the benefits of the lake.
In 1534 Jacques Cartier is believed to have stumbled on Lake Champlain (although it wasn't called that then!) but did not fully investigate the area. Instead he traded with St. Lawrence river Iroquois and unfortunately left a legacy of disease that decimated the Champlain Valley indigenous peoples.
In 1609 Samuel de Champlain discovered the lake and valley and a route from the St. Lawrence all the way down to the Hudson River (also not called that yet!). Henry Hudson would sail up the Hudson River shortly thereafter. The 1640s saw the indigenous peoples constantly warring with each other, despite the Jesuits desire to convert them all to Christianity and have them be at peace. The Jesuits were French, and not all the indigenous peoples trusted them.
During 1664-1763 there were constant battle between the British and French for control of Lake Champlain. The war ended around 1760 when the British used a three-pronged attack to hit the French in Canada. They came from Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence, and up Lake Champlain. The French retreated to Montreal and burned most of the lands behind them (including where we used to live in Isle-Aux-Noix).
With settlement in 1763 came the issues with New York State and New Hampshire both claiming Champlain Valley as theirs (enter the Green Mountain Boys). Then in 1775-1783 came the Revolutionary War and Lake Champlain played a key part in the victory over the British. Some of you may be surprised to learn that Benedict Arnold played a key part in the early victories over the British taking Lake Champlain forts and important British vessels.
Once the Americans came into Canada that was a different story, and they eventually retreated back to the U.S. after being frozen trying to take over Quebec City. The British regained control of Lake Champlain, although as we all know, they did lose the war.
After the Revolutionary War all goods from Canada were under embargo, however, all peoples that lived on the Lake needed these goods, and they mostly ignored the embargo. But soon enough we come to the War of 1812, where again Lake Champlain played a key role. Shortly after the end of the war the Champlain Canal was built, and that changed most of the trade over to U.S. sources instead of Canadian sources. The Canal helped the Champlain Valley enter into the rest of the world's markets.
Things were going well on the Lake for many years, but in 1874 the railroads started to get built and that really cut into the Lake economy. However, in the 1930s bridges that spanned the lake were built and commerce picked up again. Now the lake is mostly used for recreation, although there are still economic ventures, particularly the ferries that cross from Plattsburgh, NY to South Hero, VT and from further south in New York to Burlington, VT. The bridges can't cross the widest part of the lake, so the ferries run almost all year.
Sorry this one was so long, but here are a few map photos to give you an idea of the size of Lake Champlain.
25. Quechee Gorge
http://www.quecheegorge.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank
Quechee Gorge is also called "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon". It's a pretty amazing sight, and very different from most of the other landscapes in Vermont. Around 200,000 visitors check out the Gorge and state park every year for fishing, canoeing, hiking and snowshoeing. There's also the Vermont Institute of Natural Science nearby.
The Quechee Gorge was formed about 13,000 years ago by the receding glaciers. The mechanism is pretty fascinating and can be read about
here if you're interested. Basically, due to the ice sheets there was a natural dam that broke and an enormous waterfall eroded down to bedrock to create the incredible gorge you can see today.
I've heard that some hot air balloon captains will take you under the bridge across the gorge, but I don't know if I'd be brave enough for that. Here are a couple photos of the gorge and bridge.
Got both today bringing me up to a lovely 8/10.
We have turkeys here in Oregon, but they're transplants (like the Californians...hehe), and the Fish & Wildlife department has done a lot of studies on them to see how they impact native species. Not much, apparently, so as long as they behave, they can stay (hunters like them, though).
