Fall Foliage in Vermont

Jonathan and I decided to do two major trips this year as a family. The first was the Storyland trip to New Hampshire in August with Jonathan's parents. The second was our trip to Vermont with mine.

Day 1 - Since the kids did so well on the drive to New Hampshire, I was anticipating a pretty easy 3-hour drive to Vermont. The kids were definately on board with that. Miriam and David even got in their carseats a 1/2 hour early because they were so excited to go.

The drive was beautiful and we arrived at the little farmhouse I rented for the weekend in good spirits.

The view from the front of the farmhouse.

The kids had tons of fun playing outside.

After a quick trip to the grocery store, the kids and I played games while Jonathan cooked dinner (Mushroom chicken with my Mom's mashed potatoes).

The advantage of renting a house... home cooked meals, rooom for kids to play both outside and inside, multiple bedrooms, beautiful views out the windows and all for the same price as renting two hotel rooms.

The house was really cool too. It was built in 1825 and still had the hand-hewn original plank wood floors (very uneven to walk across). There was also a staircase in the front of the house and one in the back so the kids had great fun running in circles up and down and around the house.

It was my Mom's birthday so we celebrated with a brownie cake. After the kids went to bed, we had a rousing game of Taboo, girls against boys. I think we were laughing so hard at times that my Dad had tears. :)

Day Two -

Getting ready. The girls and I had matching braids. As you can tell from later pictures, Isabelle's didn't last long.

First stop, Ben & Jerry's factory.

The tour was pretty cool, the free sample was better.

Jonathan's chosen souvenir was a frisbee.

While my Mom and I were buying some more ice cream for everyone, Jonathan and my Dad took the kids over to the playground.

Next stop - the Cabot cheese annex. Good cheddar cheese samples, but that was about it.

Third stop - The Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Now this place was pretty cool. We learned how they make cider from apples. Fresh cider is just so much better than apple juice from the store.

An antique version of a cider press.

A modern cider press in action as it squeezes layers and layers of apples.

After a quick nap in the car for all but the nursing Mom, we head out for a hike to a waterfall.

It ended up being the coolest trail. Only 20 minutes long, but through all different scenery.

Small and winding through brush...

Then through a bog where you had to walk on sticks people had thrown into the water...

Along the river...

Up a steep, forested mountain...

But the view was worth the climb. This picture doesn't do it justice. What you can't tell from the picture is that the waterfall continues to fall another few hundred feet into a gorge. Absolutely stunning.

Resting up as we watch the water fall before heading back down the mountain.

Day three - Billing's Farm (an 1800's working farm)

The husking bee. It was followed by a really cute barn dance, but we only have that on video. Watching Jonathan with Miriam and Grandad with Isabelle attempting to do a do-see-do was a riot.

Dad made a new friend.

The girls were trying to feed the calf leaves. Somehow, I don't think he was interested.

Jonathan's view on eating leaves.

Are you sure about this Grandad?

Happy girl!

Walking along the pastures.

Yep. They're sheep.

Can Isabelle get the apple off with only her teeth?

Miriam tries it too. David just grabbed it with both hands so he could get a good bite.

Jonathan's attempt at getting the apple.


Time to head out. Goodbye beautiful pastures.

Goodbye beautiful fall colors. See you back in Connecticut!

Jonathan's Walk-about

Jonathan at the helm here - Oct was time for my annual walk-about (Kristy refused to let me do it in spring and leave her alone for two days while 8 months pregnant). I find it very effective recreation for me to walk off alone along the Appalachian Trail for two days to rejuvenate.

I am all geared up and ready to go. Notice the two, fresh, homemade, baguettes strapped to my pack. Nothing like walking with a torn of hunk of bread in one hand and and a slice a sharp cheddar in the other.

The trail was a great walk. Lots of diversity. Forest, Plains, River, Mountains. etc...

This was a cool slit in the rock the trail went through.

Along the way there was so much of the beauty of nature, only some of which - like this fungus - that I could capture on film.

I could have done with less up and down - tiring for an out of shape cubical inhabiter like myself - but the views did make it worthwhile. The worst part was climbing a mountain, getting to the top, and finding that there was no break in the trees to actually see the surrounding land.

I had to take my shoes and socks off, rolling up my pants and wading through the ice cold water here.

The walking was incredibly restive. It really gave me a chance to think about the ground I'd covered, where I was and where I was going, on the trail I was physically walking, and about life in general.
And it was pretty tiring too. I don't have an actual campsite picture -I got in after dark was settling in and I had to scramble to make dinner while I could still see - but it looked pretty much like this, only I had a tarp under me and I was in a mummy bag. (it got into the high 30's at night). All under the stars.

The next day was more of the same; ups and downs and beautiful vistas and trails.
This is me being tired on a forresty part of the trail.
This is me being tired on a beautiful rocky part of the trail.
This is me resting at the top of climb.
Well you get the picture. It was a great walk about. I'm looking forward to next years. (maybe I'll get into better shape first).