St. Croix Bassmaster Opens

Opens road trip: Vermont to Florida

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Follow along on a road trip as <a href=
Follow along on a road trip as Cole Harris and Jimmy Kennedy travel from Vermont to Florida for the Bass Pro Shop Bassmaster Eastern Open. The trip begins outside a man cave in Burlington, Vermont.

All captions: Craig Lamb

Inside final preparations are underway for a thaw out trip to sunny, balmy Florida.
Inside final preparations are underway for a thaw out trip to sunny, balmy Florida.
The prep work is worthwhile for Cole Harris, also known around these parts as the Champlain Kid.
The prep work is worthwhile for Cole Harris, also known around these parts as the Champlain Kid.
Harris is about to take the road trip to compete in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Eastern Open.
Harris is about to take the road trip to compete in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Eastern Open.
On frozen Lake Champlain these rigs are useless. They will be put to better use on the Kissimmee Chain for a prespawn largemouth bite.
On frozen Lake Champlain these rigs are useless. They will be put to better use on the Kissimmee Chain for a prespawn largemouth bite.
All it takes is looking outside the cave to speed up the packing chores.
All it takes is looking outside the cave to speed up the packing chores.
Tackle gets loaded and then clothes.
Tackle gets loaded and then clothes.
Last but not least the ride gets a bath at Shearer Chevrolet/Buick/GMC/Cadillac, a dealer in Burlington. The dealership is a sponsor of Harris.
Last but not least the ride gets a bath at Shearer Chevrolet/Buick/GMC/Cadillac, a dealer in Burlington. The dealership is a sponsor of Harris.
Harris’ ride is a 2017 GMC All Terrain Edition Sierra.
Harris’ ride is a 2017 GMC All Terrain Edition Sierra.
General Manager Steve Dinco has the ride spiffed up and ready for the trip.
General Manager Steve Dinco has the ride spiffed up and ready for the trip.
Now comes the long awaited moment. Hitching up the boat and truck.
Now comes the long awaited moment. Hitching up the boat and truck.
The truck warms up and then Harris will take the wheel.
The truck warms up and then Harris will take the wheel.
The tip begins before daylight. Ahead is a 1,400-mile drive.
The tip begins before daylight. Ahead is a 1,400-mile drive.
The route will take 21 hours to complete.
The route will take 21 hours to complete.
There will be lots of fuel stops along the way.
There will be lots of fuel stops along the way.
And a few days’ worth of sunrises and sunsets.
And a few days’ worth of sunrises and sunsets.
Those stops are for refueling the truck and recharging the body.
Those stops are for refueling the truck and recharging the body.
Another day, another sunrise.
Another day, another sunrise.
And another sunset.
And another sunset.
There is plenty of time to think fishing strategy along the way.
There is plenty of time to think fishing strategy along the way.
And places along the way to take a quick nap.
And places along the way to take a quick nap.
And have a quick bite of road food.
And have a quick bite of road food.
The farther south he goes the more Harris likes the weather. Less snow and more sunshine is a good thing.
The farther south he goes the more Harris likes the weather. Less snow and more sunshine is a good thing.
Even inside a tunnel on I-95.
Even inside a tunnel on I-95.
Another day, more miles behind. Harris’ co-pilot for the trip is his mother, Gina.
Another day, more miles behind. Harris’ co-pilot for the trip is his mother, Gina.
And the miles grow from the view in the side view mirror.
And the miles grow from the view in the side view mirror.
The boat gets a welcomed bath along the way.
The boat gets a welcomed bath along the way.
And Harris meets up with a neighbor from Vermont.
And Harris meets up with a neighbor from Vermont.
Cole and Jimmy Kennedy meet up for the remainder of the drive.
Cole and Jimmy Kennedy meet up for the remainder of the drive.
The camaraderie will be welcomed with more dark nights ahead.
The camaraderie will be welcomed with more dark nights ahead.
Framed by more brilliant sunrises as they head south.
Framed by more brilliant sunrises as they head south.
Florida comes into view.
Florida comes into view.
Kennedy is executive chef for Cabot Creamery, a farm cooperative in Vermont. Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese is among the brands.
Kennedy is executive chef for Cabot Creamery, a farm cooperative in Vermont. Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese is among the brands.
Kennedy is fishing the Eastern Opens as well, also on behalf of his employer.
Kennedy is fishing the Eastern Opens as well, also on behalf of his employer.
Another day, more fuel stops.
Another day, more fuel stops.
And they finally arrive in Florida at a rental home in St. Cloud.
And they finally arrive in Florida at a rental home in St. Cloud.
For the practice time, rest time and competition. All that made the 22-hour drive worth the trip.
For the practice time, rest time and competition. All that made the 22-hour drive worth the trip.

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