On The Road!

Yesterday we left Vermont.  We had a wonderful summer with our friends Anne and Scotty.  From the first welcome dinner back in May

to the last one of salads (potato, broccoli and pasta) and pickles because it was to warm to cook. Most of our meals were outside in the beautiful setting of their property when the weather cooperated.

Thank you Anne and Scotty for being such wonderful hosts and putting up with our peculiar ways (AC and Napping).  We love you and we'll see you in the Valley if not sooner.  It's time for you to get on the road too!

Jim started gathering out items and loaded up the Truck and rig Wednesday.  Yesterday he did the final bits.  Anne and Scotty said goodbye before they left for an appointment in Rutland so we were all alone the next hour or so to pack up and we hit the road around 0930.  I did forget one important bit.....more on that later...

While Jim was doing the hitching up I took a couple pictures showing Autumn starting.  The Sumac is beginning to pretty up

Not sure what that tree is but you know it's time to head south when the trees start turning.  We did see a tree here and there during our day that were gorgeous. 

We took back roads until we reached the Albany New York area where we jumped on the interstate and went around Albany.  Just beyond Albany we hopped onto Highway 20 (scenic byway) and took it all the way to our destination of Waterloo Harbor Campground.

The drive was gorgeous!  But we did a lot of climbing and descending the mountains and drove through some small towns and villages which slowed us down a bit.  Of course we stopped for lunch and a couple of pit stops to check our tires and brakes...and we had to pull over and wait out a rain storm that screwed up our visibility

We were only an hour or so from our destination but it was difficult to see the road.  No matter we finally arrived around 1730.  Long day for us!  I think Jim said it was around 230 miles

We got busy setting up and I cooked pot pies for our dinner.  While we were eating the rain started....after a few attempts to set up the dish for TV Jim stopped because the rain was just the icing on the cake for the day.  

Sheesh!  I posted this blog, went for a walk and remembered I didn't include the fiasco!  As I mentioned we stopped a few times and each time we stop we head into the rig.  We can use the toilet, eat lunch or get snacks.  The second time we stopped we discovered a mess on the floor, several items had fallen out of the refrigerator because I forgot to secure the doors with a strap!!!  Red wine and mayonnaise make a sticky mess.  But it was cleaned up by the two of us and we were able to keep Boo from helping.  Soon our lunch break was over and we continued on our journey.  Never a dull moment when you're on the road!

We showered, did some stuff on the Internet and we were in bed shortly after 2100.  We very much needed  the rest

We're here for three nights then onto Erie, Pennsylvania

All is right in our world

Do you like Pumpkin?  This book is free for the Kindle today....

Woodstock Vermont

Yesterday we headed out for Woodstock Vermont.  We'd driven through it a couple times on our way east to other destinations and it looked interesting with shops and many folks wandering around.  The town isn't all that big with around 3000 people living there.  It is the county seat and that includes all the official buildings associated with judicial procedures.  I'm impressed with how the town officials have made the place a destination, apparently year round.

They even have a small wooden bridge

Because we spend most of our time in southern states I find interesting things in these northern states.  Like snow shovels out in August...do the really expect snow?  Of course this was outside the Post Office and they must be prepared for everything.

This lovely building is the Library, on the Green

Next door is the courthouse

Another lovely thing about small towns, they seem to find the funds and people to tend the flowers that are found everywhere

Private home on the Green

Down the street we saw lovely gardens with overflowing gardens

Hard to read, but this is the Yankee Bookstore.  Not all that old, established in 1935

We had a nice lunch at Mon Vert Bistro.  We both had sandwiches and Jim had a beer while I had lemonade.

We popped into several shops.  The Flannel store was an eye opener.  Even though I was born in Michigan I don't recall flannel being so thick!  It would be way to heavy for the chilly nights we sometimes encounter.

The general store, Gillingham has been around since 1886 and has just about everything you need from food to wine and beer.  It may not have a large selection of any one thing,  but you can buy clothes, toys and gifts along with candy and local Vermont syrup.  Fun place to browse.

Just outside of town is the Farmers Market where you can get fresh produce when in season and looks big enough to be a regular grocery store too.  We stopped in to check it out but I think all the locals were stocking up for the week so we left.  Very crowded!

Before we left town we headed up the mountain to Sugarbush Farm.  The drive up was winding and after a bit was dirt or gravel.  A beautiful drive through the dappled, sunlit trees.  We did find some washboard areas that made for a bumpy ride in our truck! For whatever reasons they've stopped the dairy side of the farm and gone commercial.  We tasted several cheeses made from local milk and then had some samples of maple syrup. Did you know there are four different grades of syrup?  It depends on when the sap was taken.  First run is the most delicate, as the season progresses the syrup gets darker in colors and tastier.  In the next room they had samples from other Vermont companies and of course they sold jars, bottles and wedges of cheese

All in all it was a lovely afternoon.

Anne and Scotty arrived home last night just in time to see a lovely sunset.  They had a good time in North Carolina with family.

All is right in our world!