The Causeway:

Boating on Lake Champlain:

Colchester Pond Conservation Area:

Just returned from the annual family vacation to Wells, Maine.  It’s such a great way to get the whole family together.  This year’s trip to Maine only included 2 events from last year’s Top 5 List however we definitely had just as much fun!  Especially the late night surf session w/ my brothers (can you say “Shark Bait!”)

Below are a few shots:

Here are a few shots from the Burlington Jazz Festival, a Sunset, Boating on Lake Champlain, and Hiking in Stowe Vermont:

Lake Champlain Sunset in Burlington Vermont

Burlington Jazz Festival

Wakeboarding on Lake Champlain

Hiking Spruce Peak

These are two nautical terms that were defined to me through experience today. Devin’s brother Ryan took me out on his new Catamaran (sail boat) on Lake Champlain. We set out from Mallet’s Bay and within 4 minutes had successfully “Pitchpoled” and “Turtled”. The next 30 minutes were spent attempting to right the boat ourselves. An intoxicated wakeboarder driving a powerboat tried to help us out for a while but all he ending up doing was snap the single rope we had and then left us in the middle of the lake. We eventually got the boat right-side-up but it took us a couple attempts. I could go on about the strong winds and how the waves had white caps but the reality is… this is Ryan’s first summer with his Hobie Cat and as for me… well… I’m no sailer just yet… (although my extra weight was what helped get us right-side-up).

Pitchpole:
“To flip or cause to flip end over end” - TheFreeDictionary.com

Here’s an example of what a Pitchpole looks like:

YouTube  Youtube

Turtle:
“When a boat has turned turtle, it has capsized to the point that it’s completely upside down and rather resembles the shell of a big, wet turtle. The keel or centerboard will be pointing heavenward, while the mast will be signaling Davy Jones. (Unless you’ve turtled in shallow water, in which case the mast-cum-depth-sounder may find bottom all by itself. Two pieces of mast emerging from the water is a good indication that this has happened.) If there is such as thing as a happy capsize position, turtling is its evil twin.” - About.com

Here’s what a “turtled” boat looks like:

Source: SoCal Sail

Related:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4651666.html