Why do I coffeeneur? To keep the wheels turning, the mind stimulated (all the planning requires mental enterprise!), and to enjoy my surroundings. I started the challenge two years ago, visiting as many new coffee shops as I could, which has morphed into a more difficult but satisfying third year, brewing coffee or tea at scenic Lake Champlain vistas.
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| En route to the Earth Clock, I ride under the golden colored Linden trees. From a distance, the tree shape reminds me of gumdrops. |
I live in beautiful Burlington, Vermont, situated on seven miles of Lake Champlain shoreline. The Coffeenering Challenge occurs during the height of autumn foliage. It's a perfect opportunity to experience three of my favorite things: riding along the shoreline, admiring the changing colors, and using the camp stove - an exciting mini bike adventure during my favorite time of year!
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| Coffeneuring roadblock: costumed revelers boarding a Halloween train. |
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| A 40-hour filming venture was in progress and I was momentarily asked to step aside. |
And so I brewed my English tea and watched the world go by.
These stones have a commanding yet soothing presence which has as much to do with location as with the shape and placement of stones.
Solstice celebrations take place here and someday I would like to attend.
Date: Saturday, October 31.
Drink: Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Gold tea
Observation, Bike Friendliness: It's a contemplative spot to enjoy the lake amidst beautiful granite stones. By far, this has been my favorite Coffee Shop Without Walls experience.
Total Miles: 8
"Visiting the Earth Clock has been on my coffeeneuring agenda since the challenge began, but due to frequent lakeside winds and park location, I knew it would take the right circumstances for my stove to function, plus be able to relax and really enjoy the moment."
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect opportunity to try out a Trangia "Stormcooker" stove set! I've used mine in the Columbia Gorge on very windy day with no worries.
Thanks Shawn. We have stoves with windscreens up the wazoo, however I like the simplicity of my little stove. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. It's the experience of being outside and brewing, but still be able to relax and enjoy why I'm there, otherwise I might as well go to a coffee shop. I can't get that same experience if I'm battling 30F gusty wind using any kind of stove!
DeleteOh no, I get it, I don't want to go hang outside on a cold/windy day if I don't have to. But there's "windscreens up the wazoo" and then there's the Trangia Stormcooker! ;-)
DeleteI rode the Lake two years ago. The Vermont side was fun and spectacular. The New York side....not so much.
ReplyDeleteI like the northern New York section quite a lot, especially north of Plattsburgh where it's fairly flat.
DeleteSo lovely. Your photos evoke a sense of peace and rootedness.
ReplyDeleteIt is a unique place and I often hear the stones calling me. Well, not literally, but there is a magnetism that is hard to deny. Stop and rest a while, the stones say, or come when you can....
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