The Holmes Creek Covered Bridge • Charlotte, Vermont
We only discovered this bridge accidentally during an autumn drive on Lake Road… Also called the Lakeshore Covered Bridge, it’s just off the shore of Lake Champlain and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1898, it’s the shortest known covered bridge in Vermont with a total length of 40’—the shortest covered bridge in America is the West Liberty Covered Bridge in Geneva, Ohio, it’s only 18 feet long.
We hadn’t planned on visiting Crown Point on this beautiful spring-like day in Vermont; we were just out for a drive with our guests. Then, the Lake Champlain Bridge appeared in the distance—a modest, yet impressive bridge traversing Lake Champlain between Crown Point, New York and Chimney Point, Vermont that we had to cross. On the other side we discovered the Crown Point Historic Site located on stunning grounds that strategically overlook Lake Champlain—perfect for an afternoon picnic! The ruins of two standing barracks uniquely illustrate the differences between the officers and the soldiers they commanded. Equally as impressive are the remains of earthworks—earthworks are artificial changes in land level, typically made from piles of artificially placed or rocks and soil. The mounded walls encircle the fort reaching heights of fifty feet or more!
In season, visitors can explore the preserved ruins of the fort, tour the museum, the historic Crown Point Pier, the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse and the walking paths on either side of the Lake Champlain Bridge offer incredible views of Lake Champlain. The photograph was taken at the at the highest elevation of the fort.
Crown Point is just over an hour from Pond Mountain Inn. Within a very short drive from Crown Point is Fort Ticonderoga / Mount Defiance and Mount Independence on the Vermont side of the lake. This is an incredible day trip – for more, see our Fort Ticonderoga / Middlebury Day Trip Itinerary.
Our guests hit the Revolutionary War trifecta last week; Benningtonm, Saratoga and Fort Ticonderoga! However, “Fort Ticonderoga was clearly the highlight of their vacation. From the Reenactments, to the King’s Garden, The Fort and the views over Lake Champlain are simply indescribable.” Less than one hour from Pound Mountain Inn this is one incredible experience!
Take a Tour of The King’s Garden! See our Fort Ticonderoga and Middlebury • Day Trip: Itinerary
Thank you Perri, Joe and Christian for the beautiful King’s Garden photo.
Just down the road from Pond Mountain Inn is a tributary of Lake Champlain, the Mettawee River… the water is the most amazing color green that the camera barely captures. The river begins in the Green Mountains near Wells, Vermont and flows for sixteen miles into eastern New York and passes the town of Granville, NY. It is known for great fly fishing, rapids and kayaking.
See other Experiences & Discoveries in our surrounding area!
Only a few times each year have we seen these ice sailors out on the lakes, and some years not at all. It’s exhilarating to watch them sail across the ice in their iceboats at speeds that can exceed 60 mph. Organized ice yachting is popular in North America, and as close as Lake Champlain.
In the 1850s, ice yacht clubs were popular on the Hudson River in Newburg, New Hamburg, Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park, New York. The founder of the Hudson Ice Yacht Club recorded a speed of over 100 mph in 1869. They also raced against trains that began running along the Hudson River!
The only activity on the lakes right now are ice fishermen and skaters – some with hockey sticks, but not me… not yet!
Learn more about this exciting sport through this video by the The World Sailing Show
Pond Mountain Inn Bed and Breakfast Day Trip – Vergennes Shelburne and Burlington Itinerary
Shelburne Museum’s eighty-foot-diameter Round Barn is one of only two dozen built in Vermont. An unparalleled and unique experience of American history, art and design. Visitors will experience the pleasure of discovery and exploration that includes thirty-nine distinct structures on forty-five acres. “Like nothing you have ever experienced!”
Vergennes is the oldest and smallest city; centrally located between Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and the City of Burlington. Visit the local shops before heading to the Maritime Museum.
Burlington perennially appears on national rankings that laud its livability, access to nature and recreation (including the best skiing in the northeast), thriving food and music scene retains its status by “Travel + Leisure as America’s #1 College Town”.
Get the complete list of the places you can visit on this day trip visit Here.
We have all seven day trip itineraries to choose from Here
Pond Mountain Inn 