Bristol [Isle La Motte]

This morning I drove North to visit Isle la Motte. The main attraction of this island that it is one of locations of the Chazy Fossil Reef. The reef stretches across three Lake Champlain Islands, including two preserves on Isle la Motte. First I stopped by Goodwill Ridge Preserve. This area is set up for education and is well signed and accessible. I saw many examples of well-preserved reef fossils.

I also met Deborah and Bruce who live in Vermont, but were on their way to Montreal. We ended up exploring the fossils together and taking a short hike through the rest of the area. Deborah explained that her family traces back to the Mayflower, specifically the Butholphs, for whom Boston (Butholph-stone) is named. That was a nice piece of trivia to add to my understanding of early American history.

I next drove down the road to visit the Fisk Quarry . The quarry itself has turned into a lake. It was not obvious where the fossils might be and the area was not signed.

I stopped at the shore to enjoy the view and have lunch before I headed back down to Bristol.

Tomorrow I drive South to visit Quechee Gorge.