More VERMONT

   

  Larry making his famous blueberry pancakes on the same outdoor grill his father flipped pancakes on. What a great tradition. Thank you so

very much Larry they were so delicious! And of course these were topped with pure Maple Syrup from Vermont!

 

Speaking of syrup Larry & Joyce also took us to Greens Sugarhouse. We not only tasted the samples, watched sugar candy

being made, but got an in depth lesson on the process of syrup from the tapping of the trees to the boiling process. We

have a whole new appreciation as to the reason for the high price. It is a lot of work. It take four maple trees to make one gallon!

 

           Jim & Joyce climbing                                  see Joyce & Jim waving                                                                    Larry

 

More fun with Joyce and Larry. This property of 450 acres belongs to Kit Davidson  a friend of theirs. Kit and his wife Mickie originally from New

York bought this land 40 years ago. Kit then began building hiking trails and this beautiful little Japanese pond with waterfall. He later invited the public

to come   enjoy his wonderful surroundings. He has a parking lot and provides maps. 

Kit Davidson a man with a kind spirit.

 

Joyce & Larry at their Vermont cabin. Their place is like a little piece of paradise.

Thank you both for an unforgettable visit.

PEACHAM-A beautiful little side trip down a lovely country road.

Along Hwy 232 in Vermont is gorgeous, most of  it runs through Forest Service land.

We stopped for a tour of Vermont’s Capital building in Montpelier. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/centralvermont/cv20.htm

Leaving Vermont via toll ferry from Chimney Point. Vermont is such a beautiful state it’s hard to leave it.

VERMONT

Not to be out done by NY, this is Vermont on Sept. 29. We opened our book” 1,0000 Places to see Before you Die” and Hwy 100 in

Vermont was a must see. So we headed East from Bennington along Hwy 9 then North on Hwy 100 before heading back West to the

Hortonia area to visit friends.

   

Sights along the way.

 

 

Unique in American history, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as President by his father, here in his boyhood home on August 3, 1923.

It was in the family homestead in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, that a vacationing Vice President Calvin Coolidge received an urgent message from Washington.

 

Moments later, by the light of a kerosene lamp, Coolidge took the oath of office from his father, the local notary public, following the untimely death of President Warren Harding.

The homestead remains exactly as it was the night Coolidge took office. In fact, much of the village of Plymouth Notch is unchanged since the early 20th century. The Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is considered one of the best preserved Presidential sites in the nation

 

 

 

   Joyce,Jim,Diane,Larry                                 Bill & Carol 

We were lucky to arrive in the nick of time at our friends Larry and Joyce’s home as Larry’s cousin Bill and wife Carol were taking us on a wine & cheese cruise on the lake. It was a beautiful evening. It was a great time we can’t thank them enough.

                                                                                              Joyce, Larry, Diane & Jim

 

Joyce and Larry took us for a fantastic day trip. First stop the Falls.

Not to be outdone by stores this Maple Syrup seller set up by the Moss Glenn Falls.

Then on to Ben & Jerry’s. We took the tour, learned the history of two very lucky young men, and ate the new

sample of the day “Milk & Cookies”. Oh yeah it was goooooood. 

Did you know there is the FLAVOR GRAVEYARD? Yes these are the flavors that don’t make it.

We stopped at the Cider Mill,watched apples being pressed. We ate our way along our drive, sampling at the Cheese Factory, The Chocolate store, & The Cider Mill.

We were too busy eating to remember to take pictures of all the yummy & generous samples. 

 

  

The Trapp Lodge in Stowe is such a beautiful setting you just want to start singing! Then on through Stowe, a great ski destination.

Pass Stowe there is a wonderfully scenic short drive along a very narrow road full of huge boulders. Called Smugglers’ Notch.

It was spectacular! 

More wonderful things to see along our drive back at the end of the day.

NEW YORK

 

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site contains "Springwood", the lifelong home of America's only 4-term President. Also on the site is the Presidential Library and Museum, operated by the National Archives. Visitors may enjoy a guided tour of FDR's home, take a self-guided tour of the Museum and stroll the grounds, gardens, and trails of this 300-acre site. Start your visit at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center and see the introductory film and arrange for self guided tours of the Presidential Library and Museum and Ranger-led tours of the historic home. We recommend you plan a minimum of two and one half days.

 

FDR’s Top Cottage retreat the place he built in 1938 to, "escape the mob" at Springwood. He also brought close friends and political allies here to discuss the state of the world or to simply relax. Designed by FDR to emulate the Dutch colonial architecture found throughout the Hudson River Valley, the structure was planned with accessibility in mind to accommodate his wheelchair and give him greater independence. Tours depart by shuttle from the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center. This is a two hour experience. This tour is not so much a tour to see the house as it is to learn and discuss the life of FDR. We were lucky as we had only four in our group. We sat on the patio while the tour guide shared FDR’s history.  This was one of my all time favorite tours.

The only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady, Val-Kill welcomes you as Mrs. Roosevelt welcomed her many guests. Visitors may tour Mrs. Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage and enjoy the lovely gardens and grounds on the site. Mrs. Roosevelt’s  home was the old furniture factory she started to help teach local farmers new skills. After FDR’s death she lived in this home until her death.

The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site was established as a monument to an era rather than a tribute to any one person or family. The estate illustrates a way of life modeled on the English country house and is only unusual today because so few examples survive in the 21st century. More than a place to discuss the lifestyles of the rich and famous, the park offers a window into the philosophy of the American country house, the lives of its domestic staff, and its relationship to the surrounding community. In addition to a tour of the house, you can stroll on the 211 acres of park land.  This is a two hour experience.

The Culinary Institute of America is only a few short miles away. We had to, yes had to have lunch there.  I was so excited as you can see I took a bite before I remembered to take a picture. We also had sandwiches. The Institute has five restaurants. If I lived near here I would have to eat here on a regular basis.

 

Fall in New York. We drove Hwy 119 back towards Connecticut. The leaves have turned, the drive was breathtaking.