Rock of Ages and Vermont Treats

The cow robot at the Cabot Creamery

Listening to how syrup is harvested.  Left when the old geezer kept swearing on the video.  It was fun though sitting in the barn with the rain pattering on the roof.

Friday, October 14th-It was raining today so we took the chance to explore the natural resources of Vermont.  We started down the road at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill where we watched the process of pressing cider. Got to sample some along with some cider donuts.  Yummy!We next ventured to the largest granite quarry in the world.   Rock of Ages is known worldwide for their gray stone that is used in many mononuments and memorials.  It was fascinating to go to the quarry and watch the process.  An excellent tour and visitor center.  Very educational and fun.  We learned if they keep quarrying at the current rate, there will be enough granite to last for 4000 more years. Highlights were picking our own pieces of granite out of the scrap bin and watching Janae and Stefan sandblast their own momentos.  We then were off to the Cabot Creamery to watch the cheese making process.  This coop is owned by 1200 farmers and they are very successful winning top honors every year for their cheese.  We had a blast sampling the wares and of course bringing some home.  On the way home, we saw the smallest state capital building in the US (Montpelier) and stopped at a Maple Sugar farm to learn the process.  The rain was pouring on the tin roof and we watched a video in a barn theater.  Pretty cool atmosphere!  The movie had a little too much colorful language so we enjoyed learning and tasting the different grades of maple sugar.  The kids liked the fancy best , Mark and I the A grade best.  We collapsed in bed tonight.

More Beauty

October 13-We had a down day today but still soaked up some beauty. Miss Jim B in the last picture is content too.  Sondra also played her trombone down by the creek which was a real treat.

Playing in our campground yard

On the road to the Von Trapp Lodge

Sondra found her dream home

Mama's Happy

October 12th-I think that today was one of my favorite days.  We got up and after breakfast rode the 10 mile Stowe Bike Path.  It was awesome.  The colors had just peaked and the farmland and river were all so beautiful.  It fulfilled my dream of seeing Vermont in the fall and it surpassed all my expectations.  The trail had 10 bridges that crossed the river and we had our lunch in a little rustic gazebo along the river.  Coasting dwownhill in the midst of the glorious surroundings in the company of my family was a true blessing and wonderful memory.  We stopped by the Laughing Moon Chocolate Store afterwards where they were making and giving free samples of chocolate caramel cashews.  Deadly delicious and of course we had to buysome.  We got the wild hare to drive and went down Route 7.  We hiked Mt. Philo and when we reached the summit, it took our breaths away.  The Champlain River Valley-Words don't do it justice.

Stowe, Vt

Our new home

The Stowe Bike Path

Janae and Stefan's new friends they met at the corn maze

We left Tuesday morning, October 11th for Stowe.  We drove Rt. 302 which was a little longer but more scenic route.  It was beautiful but when we pulled into our campground in Stowe, we all went WOW!  A big, open green meadow surrounded by incredible foilage.  It was a 70ish sunny day and we didn't pull into around 2:00 p.m..  After a quick lunch, we were off.  We took the gondola ride up Mt. Mansfield.  This was a little bit of a disappointment.  Very expensive and the leaves were already gone.  We also thought we would get great views of the town but we lived and learned.  The children and Mark stumbled upon a corn maze and I rode my bike on the bike path.  Unbelievable beauty!  Can't wait to ride the whole path
tomorrow.

On the top of Mt. Mansfield

A perfect President's day

Monday, October 10th-One of those perfect weather days again.  Mid-70's, not a cloud in the sky.  We had debated weather to leave for Vermont today since bad weather is coming in soon but we just couldn't pull ourselves away.  We had a relaxing morning where Mark and I both practiced (first time in 6 weeks) along the river and beaver pond across the road from our campsight.  Janae read, Stefan shot his BB gun, and Mark did a little fishing.  We had  lunch in Miss Jim B and then we had a family baseball game in the campground.  The campground was wooded but this little ball field was a large piece of grass and the sun shone so warmly on this spot.  We really had fun playing and two  other 8 year old boys joined us.  We then rode our bikes on the road outside our campground.  It was all canopied with trees and it had an upgrade.  It was fun to ride a couple miles up and then coast down.  Mark wanted to hike  up this southern exposed  ridge that was very pretty and the lighting magnificent. Our glorious day ended by going to the Mt. Washington Hotel where we bought sandwiches and salad from the deli and ate on the wrap around porch overlooking Mt. Washington and the full moon.  Ahh!  Very nice!

Where we started our day

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The pumpkin heads of New Hampshire

We enjoyed seeing each store, school celebrating fall in such a fun way.

Mt. Washington

The valley at entrance to auto road

67 mile an hour wind today

Sunday, October 10th we ventured to Mt. Washington.  It was a beautiful warm sunny day and we throughly enjoyed the drive and views on the way.  The most stunning view was the entrance to the auto road.  We came around a turn in the road and saw the most beautiful valley all aglow with gorgeous fall colors.  The 8 mile drive up was not too stressful compared to Pikes Peak but Mark is a great driver and we had no problems.  A few interesting facts.  The Mt. Washington Auto Road first opened in 1861, it was a carriage road, the union was made up of 34 states and Abraham Lincoln was President.  On the road's 15th bday, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.  Three years later, when the road turned 18, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.  Jump ahead, when the internet was developed, the road was 129 years old.The winds were at 67 miles per hour at the summit and when Stefan went to open his door the wind pulled him out.  Needless to say, he was a bit aprehensive to continue walking out of the parking lot.  We enjoyed letting the wind move us on the deck.  It's an incredulous feeling to be controlled by a constant stream of wind.  At the bottom, we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the valley.  Janae and Stefan found a beautiful rock in the stream that we will put in our garden.  It was a balmy 75 maybe 80 today and it was a    
treat to bask in the sun.  We enjoyed a leisurely drive  home and visiting the quaint town of Jackson.  Sipping rootbeer on the porch of this cute store.  It was fun to see all the pumpkin people that all the businesses and schools displayed in celebration of fall.

love this quote-very true