Vergennes, Vt

Vergennes was very much a part of the War of 1812 due to the navigability of Otter Creek providing access to Lake Champlain. Commodore Thomas MacDonough commanded the building of a naval fleet to defend the Lake against the British invasion. Vergennes has the reputation as being the oldest town in Vermont and the smallest town in the U.S. (1.6 sq miles).

French Heritage Days. The event celebrates the area's French-Canadian heritage. We attended today starting with a walking tour that seemed to be to nowhere, though the first stop was interesting, the Bixby Library. There was a display of antiques with a nautical theme and an early canoe.

On the green there was a variety of displays including music, dance, demonstrations of lace making, bowl carving, the history of the Champlain area food vendors and folks dressed in period costume.

We found a slightly hidden restaurant/bar that was under ground level off a side street. Pete noticed a sidewalk chalkboard on the corner that boasted mussels and we were on our way. I had the special which was delicious Price Edward Island mussels cooked in a yummy wine broth and a generous portion of homemade bread WITH a pint of beer for $9 and Pete had a chicken wrap with marinated chicken chunks, crisp romaine, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and minted yogurt. They had only been open 6 weeks so I wasn't able to get a business card, but was offered a menu instead. Staff was very attentive and they have a big drink list with a hip atmosphere that looks like at would be fun for an evening out.