Travelling to Vermont

Yesterday we left Lake Winnepesauke, bathed in sunshine, a great view. However temperatures were in 40s, so very cold!

Before leaving we had to question the costs in our bill, as we had charged nothing to our room. Having scoured the hotel information, we found that, apparently, for our convenience they had charged a tip for housekeeping and a cost for a contribution to the upkeep of the local environment. Trailfinders knew nothing of this and it wasn't mentioned on arrival, so it was removed! Also before leaving I noticed the danger sign on the hairdryer located just a few inches from the basin!

Travel can be dangerous and it's not the snakes and bears!

We left Meredith to travel around 100 miles to the White Mountains, Vermont. It is pretty relaxed driving as speeds are slow and there is plenty of time to admire the views. There are very few places where overtaking is permitted too. There were spectacular colours, possibly even better than we had seen previously. The more mountainous landscape was beautiful too.

Although we knew our route, we just planned to stop where things looked good. Our first stop was at an information centre at the Quechee Gorge. Here we had a coffee then walked up the Gorge for around an hour. 

I keep trying to imagine where Aunt Doreen's Vermont farm was. It would certainly have been a beautiful spot, I am sure.

We had picked up a leaflet about maple syrup production,so then headed down the lanes and over an old covered bridge ( there are apparently a lot of them in a Vermont), and found Sugarbush Farm, where we tasted Maple syrup and local cheeses. We had our picnic in rather invigorating temperatures and one strong gust scattered our picnic!

We then drove on to Plymouth ( yes another one), to visit the settlement where Calvin Coolidge was born and brought up. He was president in the early 20th century. It was a fascinating visit with film, houses and exhibitions. It made you realise how quite ordinary people had risen to high office through sound principles.

From here we drove on to Londonderry, to find Upper Pass Lodge, Magic Mountain. Here we are staying in a ski resort at the start of the ski slopes, and judging by the night temperatures, I guess it won't be long before the season starts. The only problem here is finding somewhere to eat in a rural location where the summer season finished last weekend and the winter season is yet to start!