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As the glacier retreated in stages thousands of years ago, wave action on the progressively lower water level on the Champlain Sea (yes, it was once salt water) created numerous shorelines and sandbars, resulting in a delightful landscape, rising and falling like a roller coaster. Streams that come crashing down the mountainsides slow their pace as they meander their way to Lake Champlain. The roads following those streams offer some fine sweepers, as do many other roads following the contours of the land. The soil is rich and relatively rock free, making it a prime agricultural area, with many farms still in operation. The riding from east to west, or west to east, is the most enjoyable for traversing the most varied terrain. While most roads are paved, some are not.

As for riding, it is fun to just start exploring the roads. With the mountains to the east and the lake to the west, you can't get lost. To get you started, here are some suggestions.

One nice ride starts in Middlebury and continues south and west to the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry. For those wanting only paved roads, take Rt 30 from the center of Middlebury, then Rt 74 in Cornwall to the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry.

For a more adventuresome ride, starting south of Middlebury on Rt 7 at Rosey's Restaurant, and riding generally south, take your first right, Halladay Road, which continues due south. Go right, then take an immediate left onto Shard Villa Road to West Salisbury. Bear left and the left again onto Swamp Creek Road, crossing the Cedar Swamp Covered Bridge, continuing on to Rt 30. Go left (south) on Rt 30 to Whiting, and right (west) onto Richville Road. If you detour left (south) on Shoreham Depot Road, you will be very close (less than a mile) to the Covered Railroad Bridge. If you cross a stream, you've gone to far - look to the west. Going back north to Richville Road, turn left (west), continuing on to Rt 22A. Go (right) north on Rt 22A a short distance, then left (west) on Rt 74, all the way to the Ticonderoga (cable) Ferry. I saw the longest line of cows (insert picture) going out to pasture at a farm on the north side of Rt 74 within a couple miles of the Fort Ticonderoga ferry. Note the stone 1824 Lakeside house near the landing. You can arrange for a scenic riverboat ride here, too.

Take the short ferry ride to New York and Fort Ticonderoga, known locally as Fort Ti; the fort is associated with Ethan Allen of the Green Mountain Boys fame. Virtual Vermont Internet Magazine (http://www.virtualvermont.com/) states of Ethan Allen, "At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) he led the expedition that captured Fort Ticonderoga in the first colonial victory of the war (notwithstanding the fact that he and the Boys basically knocked on the door, walked in and took over). History records Ethan Allen as having demanded the surrender of the fort "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress"." Virtual Vermont goes on to say: "According to historian and folklorist B.A. Blotkin, one Israel Harris was present at the time, and later told his grandson (the late Professor James D. Butler of Madison, Wisconsin) that Allen's actual words were "Come out of there, you goddam old rat!"" The fort is open to visitors and well worth a stop.

Later, continue on Rt 74 into the town of Ticonderoga (you'll see another covered bridge down on your right), and watch for signs to Mt Definance to the left at the light as as you approach the center of town. The view from the mountain is spectacular. Fort Ticonderoga was recaptured from this position.

From the town of Ticonderoga, you may want to head north from Rt 74 to 9N, on up through Crown Point, picking up 22E north of town. This will take you to Rt 903, Bridge Road, and the Crown Point Bridge to Chimney Point Bridge and Rt 17 in Vermont. There are more historical sights at both Crown Point on the New York side of the bridge and Chimney Point on the Vermont side.

To head back to the rally from Vermont, take Rt 17 all the way to Rt 116 in Bristol. Continue north on 116, taking a right (east) onto Hollow road in South Hinesburg, which turns into the Hinesberg Hollow Road. About six miles later, take a left (north) at the T to get to Huntington Road. Bear right (east) about eight miles later, then left (north) by the Old Round Church in Richmond; stop and check out the church. Go left (west) on Rt 2, then right (north) on Rt 117 (River Road) and back to Essex Junction.

Optionally, from the New York side, you can continue north from Crown Point on 9N, watch for Lake Road on the right, taking it into Essex and return on the Essex Charlotte Ferry. From there you follow Hinesburg Road to Rt 116, following the directions back to Essex Junction.

Links for History Buffs:

• http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/forts/fortsA_D/crownPointFort.htm
• http://www.historicvermont.org/chimneypoint/
• Crown Point Historic Site

Places of Interest: Some places to visit in the Middlebury area include the Morgan Horse Farm, Middlebury College, and Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center near Middlebury, the Factory Marketplace at Kennedy Brothers, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum near Vergennes, and the Dead Creek Wildlife Management area west of Addison.

Vermont Covered Bridges near Middlebury include:

• Shoreham Covered Railroad Bridge, foot access only.
• Off packed dirt road Cornwall-Salisbury (Cedar Swamp) Bridge - on road with sections of packed dirt
• Pulp Mill Bridge, in Middlebury / Weybridge, on packed dirt road
• Halpin Bridge in Middlebury, on packed dirt road
• Spade Farm Bridge, North Ferrisburgh
• Quinlan Bridge, Charlotte
• Sequin Bridge, East Charlotte, on packed dirt road.
• Holmes Creek Bridge, West Charlotte Check http://www.dalejtravis.com/cblist/cbvt.htm for more specifics

Crossing the Lake (north to south):

• Grand Isle - 12 minute crossing (north)
• Burlington/Port Kent - 1 hour crossing
• Charlotte/Essex: 20 minute crossing (south of Burlington)
• Chimney Point / Crown Point Bridge (Rt 125 and Rt 17)
• Ticonderoga Ferry - 7 minute crossing (south)

(Rally Coverage Photos: Craig Cleasby; Mike Cousino; Muriel Farrington)