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
Photo: Cole Harris
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Inside final preparations are underway for a thaw out trip to sunny, balmy Florida.
Photo: Cole Harris
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The prep work is worthwhile for Cole Harris, also known around these parts as the Champlain Kid.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Harris is about to take the road trip to compete in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Eastern Open.
Photo: Cole Harris
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On frozen Lake Champlain these rigs are useless. They will be put to better use on the Kissimmee Chain for a prespawn largemouth bite.
Photo: Cole Harris
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All it takes is looking outside the cave to speed up the packing chores.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Tackle gets loaded and then clothes.
Photo: Cole Harris
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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.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Harris’ ride is a 2017 GMC All Terrain Edition Sierra.
Photo: Cole Harris
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General Manager Steve Dinco has the ride spiffed up and ready for the trip.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Now comes the long awaited moment. Hitching up the boat and truck.
Photo: Cole Harris
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The truck warms up and then Harris will take the wheel.
Photo: Cole Harris
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The tip begins before daylight. Ahead is a 1,400-mile drive.
Photo: Cole Harris
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The route will take 21 hours to complete.
Photo: Cole Harris
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There will be lots of fuel stops along the way.
Photo: Cole Harris
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And a few days’ worth of sunrises and sunsets.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Those stops are for refueling the truck and recharging the body.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Another day, another sunrise.
Photo: Cole Harris
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And another sunset.
Photo: Cole Harris
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There is plenty of time to think fishing strategy along the way.
Photo: Cole Harris
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And places along the way to take a quick nap.
Photo: Cole Harris
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And have a quick bite of road food.
Photo: Cole Harris
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The farther south he goes the more Harris likes the weather. Less snow and more sunshine is a good thing.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Even inside a tunnel on I-95.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Another day, more miles behind. Harris’ co-pilot for the trip is his mother, Gina.
Photo: Cole Harris
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And the miles grow from the view in the side view mirror.
Photo: Cole Harris
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The boat gets a welcomed bath along the way.
Photo: Cole Harris
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And Harris meets up with a neighbor from Vermont.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Cole and Jimmy Kennedy meet up for the remainder of the drive.
Photo: Cole Harris
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The camaraderie will be welcomed with more dark nights ahead.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Framed by more brilliant sunrises as they head south.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Florida comes into view.
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Kennedy is executive chef for Cabot Creamery, a farm cooperative in Vermont. Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese is among the brands.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Kennedy is fishing the Eastern Opens as well, also on behalf of his employer.
Photo: Cole Harris
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Another day, more fuel stops.
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And they finally arrive in Florida at a rental home in St. Cloud.
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For the practice time, rest time and competition. All that made the 22-hour drive worth the trip.
Photo: Cole Harris
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