Onto Virginia

We had another rainy day on Friday and so didn't do too much unfortunately. We watched another Ducks game which ended with an overtime loss in a shoot out. At least we got a point. Saturday very early morning, Kristi and Brock left for the airport to return to So Cal. We got up long enough to say our good byes and then went back to sleep. We just relaxed our last day as it was still another rainy day. Took a couple more pictures of the river before we left for Virginia. We really liked this campground and would love to come back again a little earlier in the fall when it is a little warmer but hopefully will have the river running. We don't much, do we? We are getting spoiled with some of the beautiful places we have seen.

We missed the peak of the fall colors in Vermont but had the right timing on our drive through Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania on the way to Virginia.            

                                                                    

Ice Cream, Cider and Coffee

We headed out to Waterbury, Vermont which was about an hour from where we are staying. Our first stop was to the Ben and Jerry factory to take a tour. Ben and Jerry first started their first ice cream shop in Burlington,  Vermont in 1978. It was long before they started expanding and became the hugh ice cream maker they are today. As part of the tour we got free ice cream samples. Kristi and I also got a cup of ice cream. Yummy!!!

We also went to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill where you could see how cider is made the old fashion way using a rack and cloth press built in the 1920's. We had samples of the fresh hot apple cider and bought some goodies. Joe and I split an apple cider donut which was judged one of the best by Gourmet Magazine. Very tasty. We also made a stop at the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters where they promote sustainable coffee. Of course we had to buy some coffee beans while we were there.

We drove on down to Stowe, which was just about a 10 minute drive from Waterbury to find a place to eat. We decided on Mr Pickwick's at Ye Old English Inne as it looked interesting. We were a little early for even the early dinner hour and so sat in the bar and had drinks until we could order dinner. We had pommes frites for an appetizer. For dinner, I had poached cod in maple butter and apple cider. It came with mushroom risotto, braised greens and roasted beurre blanc. It was so good that I mentioned to the waitress I would love to have the recipe if available. There happen to be one of their off duty chefs in the bar and he came over and told us how it was poached. I am going to have to try it at home. Kristi and Brock both had Beer Battered Fish and Chips and Joe had to try the banger and mash, which was english style pork sausages grilled with cheddar mashed potatoes, onion gravy and sauteed peas. Everyone was very satisfied with their meals.                                                                                                                             

Vermont

Tuesday we just took it easy and rested up from all our site seeing. Boston was a very interesting city. Definitely would like to go back as like DC, they is still much we didn't get to see. Wednesday, we were back on the road again and headed to Moose River Campground in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Couple of pictures above taken on our drive to Vermont. Fall colors are beautiful. Actually it turned out that we missed peak season of the colors in Vermont as some trees at already lost their leaves but still very pretty. We arrived at our campground which is right on a scenic river. We found out later that recent rains were the reason for as much water as they have now. It was dry several months ago.

After we got set up at our site which backed right up to the river, we went for a drive. I had read about a Dog Chapel and we had to stop there. It was an idea that came to an artist named Stephan Huneck after he had a serious illness and almost died. He was walking his three dogs and came up with the idea to create a chape to celebrate the special bond between people and their dogs. He built it on Dog Mountain where Huneck and his wife and dogs lived on their farm in St. Johnsbury. Both dogs and humans are invited to experience it. The chapel is styled on a small village church and includes a steeple toped with a Lab with wings. There is also a shop with dog items including furniture. The chapel was very emotional to us as Joe and I still miss our little Soleil so much. Kristi and Brock are also dog people who lost their lab in the last few years though they now have their little rascals, Oliver and Charlie.



The inside of the Chapel with notes all over the walls that people wrote notes to their pets



  

        We then went to the Maple Grove Museum and Maple Grove Farms to see how Maple sugar is made. We bought some maple related items such as maple and fig marinade.

 That night we watched what was the Ducks first home game of the season. As we are in eastern standard time, the hockey game didn't start until 10:00 but it was exciting with all our top line making their first goals of the season. After 3 losing games on the road, it was great to see them do well at home.