2010 Convention Activities

While you’re at Convention 2010 you can spend a day taking a combination Lake Champlain cruise and Adirondack Mountains tour. A scenic one-hour ferry crossing only a few minutes from the convention site leads to caving, hiking, cycling, paddling, and tourist attractions on the New York side. Or plan your Adirondack experience for before or after the convention.

The Lake Champlain ferry between Burlington, Vt. and Port Kent, NY runs each way 8 times a day. The one-hour crossing affords stunning views of the Green and Adirondack mountains. The first ferry leaves Burlington at 8:00 am and the last returns from Port Kent at 6:15 pm. Round trip rates are $32.75 for car and driver, $9.30 each adult passenger, $4.35 ages 6-12, with other rates for vehicles over 19 feet, motorcycles and bicycles. These are all 2009 data.

CAVING

The Vermont counties of Rutland and Bennington contains a sizable belt of marble that outcrops on the eastern flanks of the Taconic Mountains. Most of the caves are solutional. Across Lake Champlain, the Precambrian rocks of the Adirondacks contain significant marble, tectonic and talus caves. Both these areas will be described in the convention guidebook and detailed directions with GPS coordinates will be available at the registration desk. Most involve hikes of a mile or more, although several are closer to the road. Natural Stone Bridge and Caverns is a caver-friendly show cave complex with one of the largest marble cave entrances anywhere.

See the caving link on the left column for more details on caving trips.

HIKING

There are numerous hikes in both the Green Mountains of VT and Adirondack mountains of NY within a short drive from the convention center. Please see the hiking page on the left column link for details and directions on specific hikes.

Convention members interested in rock climbing will find Vermont provides a wide range of climbing opportunities. Climbers with all levels of experience will find challenges here from the adventure routes of Smuggler’s Notch to climbing in Bolton or Deer Leap. In addition the spectacular climbing destinations of the Adirondacks in New York with Rumney, Cathedral Ledge, and Cannon Cliff in New Hampshire offer world class climbing a few hours away.

See the rock climbing link on the left column for more details on rock climbing trips.

PADDLING AND SAILING

Umiak Outfitters will offer self-guided kayak river tours to the Winooski River Trip on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Lamoille River Trips offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The Community Sailing Center offers sailboat, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as private and group lessons. Both are offering discounts to convention attendees.

See the watersports link on the left column for more details on kayaking, canoeing, and sailing trips.

This tour is a fun family outing, including multiple stops on a 100 mile round trip following mostly Vermont country back roads.
The tour includes::

Find general tourism info at http://www.lakechamplainregion.com/

Echo Center: A science museum and aquarium that focuses on the creatures and geology of Lake Champlain.

Shelburne Museum: A tour of the Cultural History of Vermont www.shelburnemuseum.org.
$15/adult, $10/child with convention coupon (included in goodie bag).

Fort Ticonderoga: The fort is a remarkable window into 18th century military history and has been restored to its 1755 skyline. Built by the French, it changed hands between French, British, and American forces, and has been privately operated for the past century. Open from 9:30 to 5:00, adults are $15, seniors $13.50, youths 7-12 $7, under 7 free (2009 data). From south Burlington, take US 7 south 21 miles to Vergennes, then continue south on Vt 22A for 6 miles to Adison. Follow Vt 17 west 9 miles to the Crown Point Bridge over Lake Champlain and continue 4 more miles to NY 9N. Take 9N south 12 miles to stoplight and turn left onto NY 22/74. Follow for 2 miles, turn left at flashing light onto NY 74 east, Fort entrance is 1 mile ahead on right. Total distance from Convention is about 60 miles. http://www.fort-ticonderoga.org/index.htm

Whiteface Mountain: The Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway leads to the spectacular bare summit of the 5th highest peak in the Adirondacks. 2009 hours and rates are 9 to 4 daily, $9/car and driver plus $5 each passenger. Under 6 free. Driving directions: From the Port Kent ferry, follow signs to I-87. Continue past I-87 on NY 9N for 16 miles to Jay. Turn right on NY 86 for about 5 miles to Wilmington. The Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway is an 8-mile climb from the crossroads in Wilmington. About 45 miles from the ferry.

Ausable Chasm: It claims to be the oldest natural attraction in the USA, established in 1870. A 150-foot deep sandstone canyon is lined with 3 miles of walkways and trails, including the newly developed Rim Trail. Hydes Cave here appears on antique stereo and postcard views. Boat and trolley rides are part of the regular tour, and rafting and tubing are available for $10 extra, as is an “adventure” tour into Devils Oven Cave. The 2009 rates are $16 adult, $9 for 5-12, under 12 free. A special $65 combo rate with the ferry includes up to 4 regular admissions. Follow NY 373 west 3 miles from the ferry landing. http://www.ausablechasm.com