Day 239 - June 21, 2013: Vermont again!

We enjoyed Vermont so much last weekend, we rented a car again and went back today. After driving up through the Green Mountains, Anne planned a stop in Arlington where we had lunch and visited outlet stores. It worked out well as both of us got a few things at greatly reduced prices.

This is Norman Rockwell country, and after being raised in New York, Rockwell lived in Vermont for 14 years from 1939 to 1953. During this time he painted hundreds of images using over 200 local people as models. We stopped at the Sugar Shack where there is a Norman Rockwell exhibition and gift shop and spent time looking at their extensive collection. While there, Anne picked up some locally made maple syrup and date and red chili chutney.

The Sugar Shack

Anne with owner Kim whose husband made the maple syrup

The covered bridges we saw last week were fascinating, and we decided to take a driving tour through an area where we could see more of them. These bridges are covered because they are made entirely of wood, and the cover protects them from moisture which will deteriorate the wood more rapidly. Even so, all of these bridges have been rebuilt one or more times over the years to match their original design. Each has it's unique features: side windows, entrance shape and roof line pitch.

The Paper Mill Bridge

The Henry Bridge

The Silk Bridge

This is the summer solstice, and back at Great Laker, while attending a looper organized campfire, we watched the larger and brighter moon rise over the Hudson River. Matt, the lock chief, reports that Lock 9 should be repaired Sunday and Lock 10 should be a fairly straightforward fix. The uncertainty is with Lock 13. Let's hope it goes well.