Road Trip - Part One

Despite our decision to delay the big journey for a few weeks, we just had to get out of town yesterday, and since Vermont was to have been our first "port-o-call" anyway, we decided to take a few days to explore the Green Mountain State.  Of course, any trip begins with Daisy getting shuttled over to Ross' home so she can comfort him while we're away.

Lower Falls, Swift River, NH

4 Aces Diner

And with the handover complete, we were underway.  First stop, The Lower Falls along the Kancamagus Highway, scenic Rt. 112 through the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  Lunch along the way was spent in the rain at a beaver pond, but Rick rallied when he found the 4 Aces Diner right on the Connecticut River as we were leaving NH.  This place, like so many of that era (1952), was built to resemble a train car, but these were ordered (check out the blueprints), built as diners and delivered.  This one still sports the original woodwork and tile floors.

4 Aces Diner "Blueprint"

Next stop, Woodstock (formerly Shiretown), VT.  Found a sweet motel, The Shire Riverview Motel and walked around town.  Besides the covered bridge, we were amazed at how many of the 18th century homes were so well preserved.  The town was a bit "boutique-ie" for us, but pretty nonetheless.

Woodstock, VT covered bridge

Breakfast at King Arthur's Flour

Glassblowing at Simon Pierce

Today was mystery date day and I had a fun-filled itinerary in store for my mate, including breakfast at King Arthur's Flour, followed by a quick trip through their gift shop where we had more fun than a lost dog in a meat market!

Quechee Gorge

Nest stop, Quechee for a short hike into the gorge to walk off breakfast and then over to Simon Pierce Glassworks for a stroll through the studio and glass blowing workshop.  These artisans make lovely table ware, but at $58 a piece for a pilsner glass, their prices were way out of our league. 

The Vermont Country Store

So, we meandered down scenic byway Rt. 100 that skirts the White Mountain National Forest until we reached Weston, home of The Vermont Country Store.  For those of you who've visited Lehman's Hardware in Kidron, Ohio, this is similar in that the store must carry 10,000 items, except here, you can eat most of them.  We may have left with some penny candy and a tummy full of Vermont cheese samples.  This is a great place to spend a couple of hours browsing their nostalgia and it's given us some additional inspiration for our future endeavor.

With our compass pointed North, we drove back up Rt. 100 and across the forest on our way to Middlebury for the night.  We landed a luxury suite for less than the price of a standard room at the Middlebury Inn (thank you Travel Zoo).  The inn is perfectly located right in the center of town, on the green where tonight their summer concert series was underway.   Maybe we had some VT cheddar soup & brewskies for dinner, and maybe we had an ice cream cone in the park, but one thing is fer sher, we had fun today!

Before we sign out for the night, here's our fun pic-o'-the-day: 

Different Strokes for Different Folks