Northbound

Saturday, 10/02

What happened?? The rains stopped late yesterday, Noah put away his ark, and now we have changed from 70 degree, wet summer weather to cooold winter weather. What a shock! Now it’s electric mittens and hats while we close up, fuel up and head north up Vermont’s Route 100 to famed Stowe. Along this picturesque route, we’re reminded that the heavy rains have washed a fair share of the foliage from the trees. Yet, much remains and the mountains come down to the sides of the road, bringing various colors with them.
Our first stop is Waterbury Center where the Cold Hollow Cider Press provides gallons of the sweet juice, along with fresh cider donuts. Oooff! This cider press produces over 1 million gallons of the stuff, all of it good. Some went well with our independent lunches, then our group of stuffed eaters headed off to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream plant for a tour … and some new flavored ice cream samples. Double “OOOOF”. How much more can we eat? Surprisingly: More! Cabot Cheese Outlet provided dozens of samples and the opportunity to buy quantities … which we did. Locally made cider, ice cream and cheese … our doctors would pass out if they knew how we were torturing our health.

The aftermath of dining on cider, donuts, cheese and Ben & Jerry's ice cream: 5 other tour members are missing in action.

After all this, we decided to conclude our traveling day and find our RV park for the next three days. Once established, out came the firewood, appetizers and beverages of personal choice. Sitting around the fire, admiring our newly added plumpness, we surely enjoyed the foliage in the setting sun. Life definitely was good again … and appreciated by all.

Gold Brook Campground, Stowe, VT.  One of us still doesn't understand that summer is over.