Vermont Fall Foliage 2

Last two days in Vermont.

FIRST

The sky is clear. It will be a better day. Leaves are hanging on.




The mid-morning sunlight does not necessarily enhance the colors, but it is good to include the partly clear sky in the same picture as the leaves, as we head out of Stowe, VT.

Some bright red patches still left, Stowe

Stowe, VT



Stowe, VT

Stowe, VT

A 30 minute drive west takes us to Burlington. Along the way, there are some nice patches of color on Hwy 93. But it is evident that many leaves have fallen. Burlington is low-key and pleasant-looking but nothing much seems happening so we head down south from there.

First stop, Shelburne Farms, a working dairy farm on the shores of Lake Champlain. Looks a great place for kids but most visitors are surprisingly adults from out of town, probably looking for a farm experience during a leaf-watching trip like us. The colors on the farm were not great but we, as city people with a deprived childhood, enjoy a chance to milk a cow and watch Cheddar cheese making.

A tractor "shuttle" in Shelburne Farms, VT

A "farm lunch" at Shelburne Farms. Sharing apple cider with bees

A short hike in Shelburne Farms, VT

 

Lake Champlain seen from the highest point in Shelburne Farms, VT

 

From there, we keep going south in the hope of finding some areas not affected by the storm. Generally it seems that the peak has not arrived yet, but it was a chance to see some small towns along the way, mostly on or near Route 116. We stop at Bristol, Middlebury, and Brandon, which are pretty much random choices. We turn back from Brandon as it is getting dark. On the way back, we took Route 125 East (through Green Mountain National Forest) which looks pretty in the dark with tiny hamlets which make the above mentioned towns gigantic. A note to myself to check this route out next time.

Bristol: A Western front in Vermont?

Middlebury College, VT

Middlebury College, VT



Middlebury College, VT




Brandon, VT: Halloween must not be far away.



On Route 125 East

SECOND

A second day of good weather. Chilly, but clear and crisp morning. Checked out of the hotel and head first to Cold Hollow Cider Mill as we leave Stowe. The apple pressing process is cool, but their cider donuts are awesome. Even Chisoon, who usually bans such sugary stuff in our household, purchases 10.

 

Cider drips down from a 1920-vintage "rack and cloth" press of chopped apples (right). The remaining pomace (left and displayed in the front) is fed to pigs.

 

Cider donuts: these unassuming small guys, rolling off the gizmo on the right, pack a fresh apple flavor.

 

Vermont's capital city is one of those which will stump the uninitiated in a "name the state capital" quiz. Montpelier is small and seems informal with even a vegetable garden in front of the State Building.

Montpelier State House, VT

 

In an attempt to hit more scenic spots and villages as we return to Boston today, we drive East on Route 2 toward Danville. Uncharted territory indeed as we operate based on bits and pieces of information on where to go, but fortunately the drive is pretty high yield.





Plainfield, VT



Near Marshfield, VT



Marshfield, VT



Marshfield, VT



Marshfield, VT



Joe's Pond

After reaching Danville, we turn south to Peacham. From there we take some random unpaved road to East Peacham, a spur-of-the-moment decision. We eventually come out on Hwy 91 and from there connect to Hwy 93. After that, it is heading straight south to Boston through New Hampshire.

Peacham, VT: getting ready for Halloween



East Peacham, VT



On Hwy 91

Vermont Fall Foliage 1

Driving North from Boston, I see decent colors, but the weather is not cooperating. Rain is predicted for two days after apparently a long dry spell in this area. Instead of blaming bad luck, we are thankful that we had a great weather on the Camino de Santiago in Spain we just finished.

As we pass Lebanon/Hanover, New Hampshire on Hwy 89, the rain stops and we find a classical music station on FM. A brief stop at Woodstock, Vermont would be the only detour for the day before reaching our destination, Stowe, Vermont. As we slow down on Route 4 near Quechee, and then Woodstock, the radio gifts us with Schubert's String Quintet, Second Movement and Tarrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra.  One of those moments when sonic and scenic beauty converge!

Near Quechee, Vermont



Near Quechee

Near Quechee

Woodstock, Vermont

 

Woodstock, VT

After what feels like a long stretch on a mountain road, we finally arrive at our rustic lodge surrounded by trees. Not luxurious but comfortable and well-maintained, it suits our needs.

The following morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we head out to Smuggler's Notch, a short drive away. The summit is shrouded in fog and most trees are barren. Many of the colorful leaves are on the ground and only the green leaves seem to be hanging on the branches.

Smuggler's Notch near Stowe, VT. Many leaves have already fallen.



There are still patches like this visible near Stowe.

Near Stowe, VT

Near Stowe, VT. Fog can be tricky to capture in a photo in a way to preserve the mystique.

Stowe, VT

Near Stowe, VT

The resort owned by the Von Trapp family is not far, and like any Sound of Music enthusiasts would, we want to check it out. It is a sprawling complex even with timeshare villas, far removed from the days when the family initially settled. But it is still a bit of Austria in the Vermont hills (and these hills are eerily similar to those in the opening scene of the movie), and I'm glad the Trapp Family lodge is not a total tourist trap.

Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT

Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT

On the grounds of Trapp Family lodge

On the table on our right at lunch is a lady who just ran the New Hampshire Marathon at age 79. Our recent credentials of walking on the Camino for two straight weeks pale by comparison. On our left is a covered bridge aficionado who's giving me more information than I need.

Lunch at Trapp Family Lodge: knackwurst and bratwurst

In the afternoon, the stroll in the Stowe town was followed by a visit to another place which is seemingly on everyone's list: Ben and Jerry' Ice Cream Factory. I am not sure how it came to be such a globally popular product, as ice cream is ice cream, but I am all for any corporation which unashamedly promotes social consciousness, not to speak of doing it in a funky way. In any case it was a good thing to do in the pouring rain. Will any leaves survive the storm predicted for tonight?

Near Stowe, VT

Stowe, VT. There are probably a billion photos like this.

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Mobile in the background