Fields of Gold - Vermont

Trust me when I say, that Vermont was truly a place with fields of gold.  You have to trust me, as I never got a photo of the miles and miles of goldenrod-filled fields.  So with that thought in your head....hear are a few photos from our visit to Brattleboro and surrounding areas!

Off we went in my new car, on another adventure. My LM and I love to be on the road and this trip took us to Brattleboro, Vermont to meet my youngest  sister, Eleanor and her family as they had traveled from Poulsbo, Washington, to bring their oldest son, Ian to begin college in Putney, VT. We all stayed at a very nice Holiday Inn Express in Brattleboro. The plan was to meet grandson, Teddy and his wonderful Mom, Alison at the Inn,  and we arrived right on time. They drove up to meet us to spend the afternoon visiting. Teddy had a great time meeting his cousin, John, and we had a really fun lunch at a lovely restaurant with seating right over the Connecticut River. 

Teddy sweetly greeted everyone with a warm hug and he set right to work teaching cousin, Ian about his mini-computer-book.

Teddy catching sister, El, up on his news....he had just been  further north in VT visiting with cousins and relatives on his Mom's side of the family, and they had attended a great country fair in Essex..

These two cronies, love to snuggle

El and Alison catch-up after a long time of not seeing each other. Alison's father has a summer house in southern NH so they were able to make a fairly short drive to come and have lunch with us.  Teddy was full of news about driving his Pepere's golf cart at the cottage.

As LM and I drove in to Brattleboro, we crossed this very narrow bridge over the Connecticut River, bringing us from NH to VT. We spotted Whetstone Station with lovely high decks overlooking the River and thought it might make a great spot for lunch. Off we went!

Lunch view

and, another

Teddy was very excited about sitting next to Jon...those two had great fun.

Moi, El and LM...it was a beastly hot day but there was a bit of coolness off the river.

Our wonderful server, Kristi, took Teddy to the edge of the deck to look down at ducks and boats in the river. She was just the loveliest young woman, and we came to learn she grew up on Cape Cod!

All the food was delicious and beautifully served. Notice there are no entree photos - it was devoured too quickly, but this peanut butter creation was the perfect ending.

As we were encouraged, we lingered, chatting and loving being together. Meanwhile, Kristi had taken Teddy under her wing and put him to work "bussing" the table. He carried all the glasses to the kitchen and a few other things, and THEN, she paid him $1. for his services. His first pay ever!! Here he is helping. We left Kristi a nice tip!

Soon it was time to say good-bye to Alison and Teddy, and as we headed out the door of Whetstone Station, there was a very long freight train passing so we had to wait by the cars for the road to be clear.  Interesting graffiti on many of the cars.

Next we decided to pick up Ian at the hotel and take him with us for a tour of his new home, Landmark College in Putney, VT  Landmark sits in the most quaint town with lovely rolling hills.

Davis Hall will be Ian's dorm

The other side of Davis

Looking down at some of the main buildings and the connecting covered walkways.

After the little tour we went back for a little rest before going out for a late dinner right on the CT River again, at the Marina Restaurant. Also very nice,

The next morning we all met for breakfast.  Eleanor's husband, Steve had arrived well after midnight from their home in WA.  A delicious breakfast was enjoyed at the Putney Inn.  El and Steve were on a mission that day to find Ian a car to use while he is at school.  So, while they were car hunting,

LM and I set out on a tour around the surrounding hills and dales.....we just love to explore new territory so we headed north, then west and south again....driving north from Brattleboro

The first of many working covered bridges we came across.

I believe the sign said this is the longest functioning covered bridge left in VT.

Really getting in to rural places....

A lovely lake at Mt Snow ski area...virtually a ghost town at this time of year.

Condos and ski lifts at the base of Mt. Snow.  It was amazing how cool the air was here, while down in Brattleboro it was hot and very humid.

W came across a tiny farmstand selling sunflowers and maple syrup. The best maple syrup I have ever had....

Coming down out of the Mt Snow area, we really got on to some beautiful country dirt roads and the tree canopy was so lovely, I just kept snapping away as we drove and drove and drove.

There were a few very old farm houses scattered along the way.

Never wanted this ride to end. I made LM stop the car so I could listen to the woods, breathe in the air and savor nature!!

Alas, we had to get back on a main road headed east back toward Brattleboro...skies very hazy due to the heat.  This was taken at the Hogback Mountain Overlook.  There is a lovely Museum of Natural History overlooking this view, as well.  Before we got back to our hotel, we found ourselves in a major thunder storm and rain so heavy that we had to pull over for about 15 minutes.

We arrived back at our hotel to find this lovely car, already signed, sealed and delivered for Ian.  His favorite color and a great deal from the Subaru dealer right next to our hotel. It is the Outback Eddie Bauer package and for a nearly 5 year old car, it looks brand new.

The view from where we waited to meet everyone each morning in the hotel lobby!

Last morning came too soon. We all went to the Royal Chelsea Diner in W. Brattleboro for an amazing breakfast - John, El, and LM.  I am so sorry to say that I never managed to get a photo of Ian!

Mr Fish and Moi

As we headed east again, LM was kind enough to stop so I could photograph this beautiful Gothic-style house in West Brattleboro. Architecture is my thing....

The gables on each end were so beautiful and I love the detail above the windows, and at the peaks.

One more cruise through a covered Bridge...The Ashuelot Bridge....really pretty.

My very obliging chauffeur stopped so I could get this photo from the bridge, and then we began to meander our way back toward home, complete with more drives on glorious country roads (especially through Royalston, MA) and a stop at Bolton Orchards to buy peaches and apples. 

So there it is, and it will have to keep us for awhile as there will not be any big trips until we venture to Eleuthera in the Bahamas next March. There we will stay with daughter, Anne and her husband at their beautiful second home.  I cannot wait to introduce LM to the beauty of the island, the potcakes, the Rainbow Inn, the chickens, the island kitties, Coco diMama Beach, and the beautiful sound of the ocean on the rocks.....there will be fishing involved in the trip, of course...that was my lure to convince him he must brave the flights to get to paradise. 

We are healthy, happy, and loving weather with a touch of Fall right now and I wish you all the same.

PS. Kristi has decided to live permanently with her half-brother in RI. She seems very happy and to be thriving. We miss her but are very happy she is surrounded by younger people and having new experiences.

PPS.  Ms G is happy to have cooler weather and stays very busy in her position of chief herder of her keeper, LM.