Sunset on our Stave Island Summer

Sailing into the sunset on Lake Champlain.

You never know what kind of weather to expect from the last weekend in September in Lake Champlain, but we scored an amazing one for our end of season trip with the family out to Stave Island. Nestled in the middle of Lake Champlain, between Vermont and New York, Stave Island is the perfect getaway for the kids. There is miles of shoreline to explore, a bog with a secretive snapping turtle, stories of hidden treasure, a beach, a tower to climb, and acres of woods to play in. With no shows or tablets, it is the perfect place to commune with nature and get in touch with the wild. Every sunset is appreciated, usually with a sundowner cocktail in hand, and the night sky can be absolutely brilliant.

Running into Fall at the Stave Island farm house

We soaked up every minute of this weekend, knowing that it could be our last until we open the island back up next Spring. Catalina, Fisher, and I even managed to get a circumnavigation of the island in on a stand up paddleboard. The trees were all tinged with color, although it looks like the peak of the changing of the leaves has yet to happen here.

I wanted to capture the feeling of this weekend in photos, so here you go...

Soaking in the afterglow from the west lawn.

Climbing up the tower on our last night with some gorgeous lighting and the beginning of fall colors.

High atop the tower, above the trees, with views for days.

The main house bathed in the last bit of light.

I climbed down the rocky cliff to create this photo opportunity.

Sunset adventure, heading up the tower.

We made it!

Reflections off the pump house window of sunset beyond.

Its beginning to look like fall here in Vermont.

Meadow at the top of the island.

Dela filling the moat of her sand castle.

Checking for frogs at the bog.