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