Day 233 - June 15, 2013: A great day in Vermont

Neither of us have been in Vermont since childhood, and this flood delay on the Erie Canal was an unexpected opportunity to visit again. Vermont brings to mind green carpeted rolling mountains, river streams and waterfalls, quaint small towns, wooden covered bridges, famous local poets and artists, snow skiing, fishing and boating, teddy bears, chocolate, maple syrup, ice cream, cheese, antique furniture shops and more. With Anne's advanced planning, we traversed a good portion of the state and saw much of this throughout the day.

After crossing the Hudson, we entered Vermont in the southwest corner, drove up through Bennington, and stopped at the Village Peddler, since they advertised chocolate and cheese. We replenished our supply of dark chocolate (plus a little more for me, of course...). From there we drove north along the southeastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest through narrow winding roads that climbed up and over the hills. Every turn revealed incredible views of the mountains and valleys filled with multi-colored and multi-textured greens and fast flowing streams.

Approaching the Green Mountain National Forest

Fast flowing stream over rocks

We passed the spot where Robert Frost lived and wrote some of his best poems and drove through Arlington where Norman Rockwell lived for 14 years. Everywhere there are picturesque farms with old barns and an occasional restored wooden bridge. Lunch was at Chauncey's near Arlington.

Great old barn, now retired

Restored covered bridge

Thanks to the sunshine and blue sky, the scenery continued to be just fantastic. Soon we reached Vermont's capital, Montpelier, and drove west directly to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream factory for a tour and free tasting. Clearly, this was not an accidental find but in the plan from the start.

Farm setting

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream factory

Then it was on to see Burlington which is on Lake Champlain. We walked the waterfront and marina docks and can see why this is considered such a great sailing, water sports and cruising lake. The view of the Adirondack Mountains across the lake was extraordinary. On the way through Burlington we passed the University of Vermont's campus, which lies high on the hillside overlooking the lake.

Lake Champlain looking west from Burlington

The Burlington skyline to the east

Further south we crossed the Hudson at Chimney Point to Port Henry in New York to see a lighthouse that was reconstructed for the 1909 tricentennial in honor of Samuel de Champlain's 1609 discovery of

Lake Champlain. Next, we passed Fort Ticonderoga but couldn't get in because it had closed for the day.

Bridge at Chimney Point

Lighthouse honoring Samuel de Champlain

As dust settled in, we followed the shoreline of Lake George and took the highway back to Waterford, having driven over 300 miles through some of the most beautiful country we could imagine. Thanks to Anne's planning, it was a great and very worthwhile day.