We haven't been there in quite a few years and it is always fun to walk around and picture the gorgeous summer estate that used to be there beginning in the late 1800s.
The remnants of the retaining wall that was built around the island with gardens can still be seen, along with the entrance concrete dock.
There used to be many fossils in the rocks from the days when Lake Champlain was actually salt water and there was a coral reef. We didn't see too many this time, nor did we see any of the 'buttons' that the island and the bay are named after. The buttons are actually formed when clay settles on pebbles or around the stalks of plants, and when the plants die, what is left looks like a rock with a hole drilled in it. We were so disappointed not to see any, but after reading an article about them, it sounds like people have been taking them. I also read that in the early 1960's 9,000 Girl Scouts were on the island and collected lots!
(Photo borrowed from the internet, click HERE for the article)
It was still a fun exploration and a great destination for the afternoon. Next time we'll search even harder!
No comments:
Post a Comment