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.