We has a relaxed start with homemade breakfast burritos waiting for us to heat up. We planned a local day of walking around and set out for the downtown and quickly found the Church Street market area where shops were expanding into the brick lined walking area. We continued on to the waterfront and found a Segway tour near the Local Motion bike rental area. We were soon in front of the ECHO museum and aquarium where a number of dark sedans were parked. We soon saw the governor, mayor and senator Patrick Leahy who the facility is named after come out. At first we thought Bernie Sanders was there too.
Great place to stay & politics to match!
Church Street market area just setting up
Burlington occupies a very special place on the planet
We could tell something important was underway as they quietly drove off. We did too when a free city tour bus pulled up as we took a loop around before returning and entering ECHO. We were very impressed with the hands on exhibits regarding the Lake Champlain ecology, culture and history. The invasive species and turtle exhibits were especially good.
I wandered into the cafe and found a federal agencies meeting was underway with high ranking officials related to the politicians who had left earlier. A large EPA grant had been received and the agencies were discussing how to continue the long term work needed for water quality. We enjoyed hearing the similarity of issues and plans here compared to California.
Politicos leaving the ECHO facility we were about to visit
Great exhibits inside
Federal agencies meeting just like back home
It was time to eat and we headed across the street to the Skinny Pancake for some tasty crepes washed down with local Fiddlehead Brewery ipa. Even the silverware were fiddlehead style. Next door was the Peace and Justice Center with more great shopping opportunities for Laurie while I chatted with my mom by phone.
Of course we found great food and fiddleheads too!
A familiar looking Peace & Justice Center too
We set out for the Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory several miles away and spent much of the time looking for restrooms too thanks to all the good drinks we'd had so far. The factory was well worth the effort even though we missed the last tour for the week. They had good info on which products allow Laurie to indulge and still avoid soy as she needs to do. We walked back casually with a load of goodies.
Lots of good info & treats at the chocolate factory
We spent some time relaxing on the outside porch in the late afternoon sun and visited briefly with our host when she returned from work. She gave us some good tips for dinner and other meals and we headed back out after resting upstairs for awhile.
We were soon on a waiting list for the resturant which also had a live music area and a new light shop expansion that was hard to figure out. The wait was worth it and the food was rich and tasty. So was the recommended beer. It was a slow full walk back home at the end of a very enjoyable day.
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