Thursday, 10/07
When traveling and sightseeing, sometimes it's healthy to do ... nothing. Today's weather encouraged most of us to do just. While the Mather's checked out the route to Mt. Washington's cog railroad excursion, some of the girls checked out the bargains at the local stores. Both parties returned with happy faces. We three guys hit every "man store" (Home Depot, Lowe's, Napa Auto Parts, and the local RV store), searching for essentials. No, we weren't looking for our essential wives; we knew where they were. Besides, we could trace them by calling our credit card companies....
With strong winds forecasted to blow away the rain, and perhaps our awnings, it was necessary to retract them after climbing onto the roofs of our coaches and sweeping off the leaves. Just in time! When the winds came, we were treated to a blizzard of colorful leaves, enhanced by the afternoon sun. Unfortunately, I could not video-capture the event for you. There will be many more such events for us to enjoy, although the winds and rain signal the ending of the foliage season, and the beginning of the unpleasant weather that precedes the ultimate: Winter.
All of us spent the evening at the local playhouse, chuckling our way through a funny musical "The Great American Trailer Park". My ears don't do well with musicals, but the comical presentation of a stereotypical group of Florida trailer park residents living on the wrong side of the tracks was a great way for all of us to end a gray day of relative leisure. The play did give some of us ideas about how we could improve our "trailers". Now we're shopping for artificial flowers, pink flamingos and cinder blocks.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Rain, Leisure, and Soup
Wednesday, 10/06
It's all quiet on the eastern front. The rain has returned which means some of us are enjoying a day of catching up with domestic tasks (including blogging), reading, and just relaxing independently. Of course, some went shopping while others stayed home and made chicken soup or lentil soup ... both of which we're going to enjoy. Sometimes a rainy day is the best day, especially when all of us have been so busy sightseeing.
Once again, more photos to share:
It's all quiet on the eastern front. The rain has returned which means some of us are enjoying a day of catching up with domestic tasks (including blogging), reading, and just relaxing independently. Of course, some went shopping while others stayed home and made chicken soup or lentil soup ... both of which we're going to enjoy. Sometimes a rainy day is the best day, especially when all of us have been so busy sightseeing.
Once again, more photos to share:
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| "NO Ralph, it will not fit!!" |
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| Enlarge the photo and look closely at the design. |
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| East (cousin Carol & Chloe) meets West (Bill & Emma) |
Farewell & Welcome
Tuesday, 10/05
It's time to leave green for white. Don't know what that means? Well, Across the Connecticut River from Vermont's Green Mountain range are White Mountains of New Hampshire ... and our destination for this morning's 3 hour drive. Apparently, we've all had a good time in my home state, but more adventure awaits and we have to leave to find it.
What a pleasant surprise to find more foliage along the way! Pockets of vibrant color with sun filtering through the forest of leaves. Narrow, curvy (no kidding!!!!) roads along river banks occasionally caused us drivers to pay attention to DRIVING. Yet, we all enjoyed our routes to North Conway, NH. Of course, the first thing we had to do upon entering the state which carries the statement on its license plates "LIVE FREE OR DIE", was to storm the state controlled liquor store in search of bargains. Conveniently located almost immediately upon crossing the border, New Hampshire's prices rival our Costco's and are much lower than Vermont's or other nearby states'.
Continuing along the Kancamagus Highway, our driving skills also continued to be tested and polished while we "oooh'd" & "aaah'd over the scenery. Thankfully, there was little traffic competing for space on the asphalt. Undoubtedly, today's route was one of the best entries to New Hampshire's offerings.
"Kancamagus"? No, it's not a Danish throat disease. Rather, it's derivation is native Indian who made a trail through the woods from the Connecticut River to the Saco River along a third river and over the mountains. This is what we followed. A struggle for them. Another visual feast for us.
Our RV campground is on the banks of the Saco River with shade trees that plague those of us with satellite TVs, but the park provides 80+ channels. Being in town, the stores and restaurants are within walking distance. Much to do. Much to see.
It's time to leave green for white. Don't know what that means? Well, Across the Connecticut River from Vermont's Green Mountain range are White Mountains of New Hampshire ... and our destination for this morning's 3 hour drive. Apparently, we've all had a good time in my home state, but more adventure awaits and we have to leave to find it.
What a pleasant surprise to find more foliage along the way! Pockets of vibrant color with sun filtering through the forest of leaves. Narrow, curvy (no kidding!!!!) roads along river banks occasionally caused us drivers to pay attention to DRIVING. Yet, we all enjoyed our routes to North Conway, NH. Of course, the first thing we had to do upon entering the state which carries the statement on its license plates "LIVE FREE OR DIE", was to storm the state controlled liquor store in search of bargains. Conveniently located almost immediately upon crossing the border, New Hampshire's prices rival our Costco's and are much lower than Vermont's or other nearby states'.
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| New Hampshire's White Mountains. Snow caps are only a month away. |
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| A popular vista site in the White Mountains, temporarily infested by California migrants. |
Our RV campground is on the banks of the Saco River with shade trees that plague those of us with satellite TVs, but the park provides 80+ channels. Being in town, the stores and restaurants are within walking distance. Much to do. Much to see.
Independence & Assorted Photos
Monday, 10/04
A day for all to explore independently. Some visited the nearby Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ plant. Others supported Stowe’s shopkeepers. The rest of us enjoyed the solitude of another dry day and our campground.
Tonight? A communal dinner right here in RV Land, thanks to the fine traveling cooks among us. Already, the fire is lit and the appetizers have been prepared. It’ll be another fattening, fun evening. We must do this to prepare for winter's hibernation when we finally return to California.
Here, I'll share a few more photos taken by Doris, me, and fellow traveler Tom Costa. There's no order to them. I just like them.
A day for all to explore independently. Some visited the nearby Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ plant. Others supported Stowe’s shopkeepers. The rest of us enjoyed the solitude of another dry day and our campground.
Tonight? A communal dinner right here in RV Land, thanks to the fine traveling cooks among us. Already, the fire is lit and the appetizers have been prepared. It’ll be another fattening, fun evening. We must do this to prepare for winter's hibernation when we finally return to California.
Here, I'll share a few more photos taken by Doris, me, and fellow traveler Tom Costa. There's no order to them. I just like them.
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| Reminiscing at my first home, a farm house built in the 1800s. |
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| Yes, brothers, sisters and brothers-in-law can enjoy being together ... and we do! |
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| Burr Morse sharing his sugar making shack with us. Truly, a special time for all of us. |
Gold Dome, Golden Syrup and the von Trapp "Gold Mine"
Sunday, 10/03
Our view of the green meadow and surrounding hills of foliage was … gone. Heavy fog like that of the San Joaquin Valley in winter was a bit discouraging for today was a touring day. Regardless, we headed out and found Montpelier, the state capital. Another coach was already in front of the bright gold domed building, but we took some photos and found the RV owners to be from Sacramento. Fun sharing info and urging them to join our RV group back home. After all these good deeds, the sun burned through and the brightness made for another capital photo op. Although most of the brilliant fall foliage backdrop had disappeared, all of us imagined how striking it would have been to capture the view a few days before.
Up the hill and through the pastures, we found my old friend Burr Morse doing what he does best: Greeting busloads of tourists to his maple syrup farm. For me, it is so great to see a friend who, with his dad Harry, took my bus tours as the first to see how they made the syrup and enjoy the taste of one of Vermont’s best products. Harry has passed on, but Burr has taken on the business with gusto, yet still is the quintessential Vermont farmer. I’m proud to call him a friend made from a business relationship.
Burr gave us the story of how syrup is made, both in his words and on the screen, then surprised us with a special Vermont winter treat: Sugar on snow, with homemade donuts and pickles. Now, if you haven’t experienced this, don’t wrinkle up your nose. It’s fun and it’s good. His syrup is among the best, and the donuts were the best! So, we gorged ourselves. After all, we hadn’t eaten in the past hour. Needless to say, we then bought gallons more of this sweet elixer.
Leaving Burr, we drove a few miles through the countryside to a mountain overlooking the village of Stowe. The mountainside has been owned by the von Trapp family, made even more famous by the movie “Sound of Music”. Having spent several Christmases at the Trapp Family Lodge, it was another homecoming for me. Again, fun to share with our friends, we toured the lodge, including the living room where my tour groups enjoyed Christmas Day, and even Maria’s apartment, something few experience.
Lunch and a wander about the surrounding grounds preceded our drive through Stowe to return to our homes-on-wheels.
Our view of the green meadow and surrounding hills of foliage was … gone. Heavy fog like that of the San Joaquin Valley in winter was a bit discouraging for today was a touring day. Regardless, we headed out and found Montpelier, the state capital. Another coach was already in front of the bright gold domed building, but we took some photos and found the RV owners to be from Sacramento. Fun sharing info and urging them to join our RV group back home. After all these good deeds, the sun burned through and the brightness made for another capital photo op. Although most of the brilliant fall foliage backdrop had disappeared, all of us imagined how striking it would have been to capture the view a few days before.
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| Montpelier, VT's capital building. |
Burr gave us the story of how syrup is made, both in his words and on the screen, then surprised us with a special Vermont winter treat: Sugar on snow, with homemade donuts and pickles. Now, if you haven’t experienced this, don’t wrinkle up your nose. It’s fun and it’s good. His syrup is among the best, and the donuts were the best! So, we gorged ourselves. After all, we hadn’t eaten in the past hour. Needless to say, we then bought gallons more of this sweet elixer.
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| Maple Man Burr & his brother, Elliot. Two of the best of Vermont. |
Leaving Burr, we drove a few miles through the countryside to a mountain overlooking the village of Stowe. The mountainside has been owned by the von Trapp family, made even more famous by the movie “Sound of Music”. Having spent several Christmases at the Trapp Family Lodge, it was another homecoming for me. Again, fun to share with our friends, we toured the lodge, including the living room where my tour groups enjoyed Christmas Day, and even Maria’s apartment, something few experience.
Lunch and a wander about the surrounding grounds preceded our drive through Stowe to return to our homes-on-wheels.
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| A small section of The Trapp Family Lodge. |
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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.
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.
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.
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| The aftermath of dining on cider, donuts, cheese and Ben & Jerry's ice cream: 5 other tour members are missing in action. |
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| Gold Brook Campground, Stowe, VT. One of us still doesn't understand that summer is over. |
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Where's Noah When We Need Him?
Friday, 10/01
When will the rains STOP??!!! Last night was unbelievable. And today, the water just poured off the coach and the flat asphalt parking lot is a lake. The drains can barely manage the deluge. Flooding of Otter Creek, the local stream, is occurring, and we can expect flooding of downtown basements. The latter is due mostly to the construction of a multi-story parking lot atop an ancient drainage pipe that collapsed under the garage weight. For several years, no one seems to know what to do about it. Another tax paid boondoggle, the garage is essentially unused.
Gathering our mobile clan, we decided to have another day of free time to choose what to do. Some chose to read and watch the downpour. Others put on the snorkeling equipment and drove to Woodstock, famed for its beauty, not the hipppie dippie gathering of the 60s. Others struck out for King Arthur Flour Company's bakery/store/cooking school, a destination that won raves. I stayed behind to blog and make arrangements for the next few days of the tour. All in all, it was a good day, especially when the rains ended about dinnertime.
Tomorrow, we leave my old home town and caravan north in predicted clear weather for Stowe, VT.
Pictures? Too soggy and gray for new ones. So, here's one from a better day:
When will the rains STOP??!!! Last night was unbelievable. And today, the water just poured off the coach and the flat asphalt parking lot is a lake. The drains can barely manage the deluge. Flooding of Otter Creek, the local stream, is occurring, and we can expect flooding of downtown basements. The latter is due mostly to the construction of a multi-story parking lot atop an ancient drainage pipe that collapsed under the garage weight. For several years, no one seems to know what to do about it. Another tax paid boondoggle, the garage is essentially unused.
Gathering our mobile clan, we decided to have another day of free time to choose what to do. Some chose to read and watch the downpour. Others put on the snorkeling equipment and drove to Woodstock, famed for its beauty, not the hipppie dippie gathering of the 60s. Others struck out for King Arthur Flour Company's bakery/store/cooking school, a destination that won raves. I stayed behind to blog and make arrangements for the next few days of the tour. All in all, it was a good day, especially when the rains ended about dinnertime.
Tomorrow, we leave my old home town and caravan north in predicted clear weather for Stowe, VT.
Pictures? Too soggy and gray for new ones. So, here's one from a better day:
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| A colorful background for a fun group. |
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