We are thinking of combining a trip to the Islands with a visit to Montreal, but have only very general information. I am interested in any first hand experience you have to offer. Thanks in advance.

Drove through there Memorial Day weekend on my way back from Montreal and found them to be very pretty and very rural. It seems like everything closes early at night.

Don't know the current situation, but there was flooding this spring and the water was high when I was through there (even right up to the road in places).

When we camped north of Burlington, in Fairfax, we drove thru the islands from north to south with plenty of time to be in Burlington for lunch. They are very rural with pleasant scenery. Later I read there are some areas that are popular with birders. This was a few years ago. I don't recall any large towns.

Lake Champlain Islands ?? Did not realize there was series of small islands here. Who knew .....
http://www.champlainislands.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?id=6

Looks lovely. Okay, despite being raised in MA, my knowledge of Vermont was very limited. We were more coastal and NH people.

Do hope you get further feedback about the area. I've only been to Burlington and Shelburne ..... and, the Lake Champlain chocolate factory. Yum ......

will report back. we are looking for old timey experience with lake swimming and birding, so this may fit the bill,

If you haven't been to the Intervale section of Burlington, that's where Gardener's Supply is located with nice display gardens. The Intervale has farms we didn't visit. Saw that it is also considered a top birding area.
http://greenmountainaudubon.org/inde...d=20&Itemid=21

Thanks, dfrost. Will check it out.