What does The Idiot do in Burlington, Vermont, when The Bernster, as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is known locally, is out of town?

The one-time reporter for The Burlington Free Press (The Idiot covered Woodstock and other stories for the newspaper in 1969) feels the burn of the April cold by visiting old haunts, taking urban walks (The Idiot considers Burlington one of the most attractive downtowns in the United States), shooting selfies, watching icicles melt on Lake Champlain, attending family parties at the Shelburne Museum, giving a “Yuge!” speech and getting some pictures with his partner and kids.

The Idiot, his partner Liz Chapin, his son Luke and his brother Kip enjoy a chilly walk down Church Street in Burlington, Vermont.
(Photo: Sonia Stratte-McClure)

The Idiot, his partner Liz Chapin and his daughter Sonia take a selfie on Church Street in Burlington, Vermont.
(Photo: Sonia Stratte-McClure)

Relaxing with his daughter Sonia in downtown Burlington, Vermont.
(Photo: Liz Chapin)

Then there’s nature, including sunrises, sunsets and melting icicles on Lake Champlain during the spring break between snowy, freezing Vermont winters and sunny, warm Vermont summers.

Icicles on the branches of a bush on the shores of Lake Champlain.
(Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)

Sunset on Lake Champlain from the deck of The Idiot’s lakeside squat in South Burlington.

The Idiot didn’t completely forget about Bernie Sanders during his visit. He had lunch at Wake Robin with a 95-year-old female supporter sporting a “Feel The Bern” T-shirt and, during a family birthday party at the Shelburne Museum, he imitated Bernie by giving a “Yuge!” speech.

The Idiot and family members at Lois McClure’s 90th birthday party at the Shelburne Museum south of Burlington, VT (Left to right: Kip Stratte-McClure, Barbara McClure Benedict, Lois McClure, Jim McClure, The Idiot). That’s the Ticonderoga steamboat, launched in 1906, in the background.
(Photo: Mark Mahan)

The Idiot concludes a “Yuge!” speech channeling Bernie Sanders at the Shelburne Museum.
(Photo: Mark Mahan)

Then The Idiot visited a local library to promote his books and pose for memorable photographs with his daughter Sonia, his son Luke and his partner Liz Chapin.

Getting literary photos with his kids, Luke and Sonia Stratte-McClure.
(Photo: George Malouf)

The Idiot and partner Liz Chapin in front of a library bookshelf with copies of “The Idiot and the Odyssey” books.
(Photo: George Malouf)

After such a hectic visit, The Idiot is looking forward to a bit of tranquility when The Bernster gets back to town.

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."