It was a slow day, somewhat sketchy weather and highlighted by a visit from some odd looking travelers. As their raft pulled up to the dock and some scraggled passengers stepped on to our Atlas dock, I approached asking how the day was going – honestly checking out if they were coherent or lost or were sailors who knew what they were doing. Pleasantly, I was happy to find out that despite the rugged appearances, the travelers were five guys from Hampshire College who made a raft and were taking it from Swanton to New York City using the Champlain Canal from Lake Champlain to the Hudson River. The raft was about 8′ wide and 20′ long, four posts to hold a roof and a hammock and , and riding about 4-6″ above the water with a 40hp motor powering it. Not too much room to accommodate for waves, but just enough to keep most of one’s body dry for the three week journey. As intrigued as I was by the boat and the travelers, I chatted them up, ran up to the office to grab a camera and took a couple pictures. The journeymen asked me to send the pics to family and friends, so I took down some email addresses and ran back up to the shore to send off a quick note. In the note I included a quote from Huck Finn:
We said there warn’t no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.
Mark Twain
The family and friends were eager to respond, as they hadn’t heard from the group for 5 or 6 days while they were building the raft attempting to get it seaworthy. They wrote back all exclaiming thanks and one even was so moved he offered a place to stay in Boston when I travel there next. All were relieved to hear that they were on their way and doing well. Like these roguish voyageurs and sailors we encounter daily, the people we meet here on the Lake and the CSC never cease to amaze me.
Thanks so much for the update and pictures! These are the first we have seen of the completed raft. I am glad to see they are on their way and doing well.
-Jeff
Thank you so much for sending these wonderful photographs and news of our wanderers! We were wondering how they were doing and whether they had gotten their motor repaired. They look great! Thanks again!
-Christine
Thanks so very much. We are all wondering what is happening. I really love the Mark Twain quote. I have a slow download because we have dial-up, but I look forward to the pictures. Thanks again. -Martha
I am the father of one of the RAFT boys. My wife and I can’t thank you enough for extending your hospitality to the boys and for your wonderful communique your words and pictures and your Mark Twain quote !!! As parents we worry and your email gave us a lot of solace. My son is Dean , he is the guy wearing multi-plaid shirt .
-Arthur and Cindy
