Winter Wonderland-Vermont

 

January 2013 I traveled to the far north to work and experience a real live and in your face kind of winter...I don't know that I will do that again! It was, however, the most beautiful snowfall and scenery I have witnessed. My "home" was in Rutland, VT. This little winter town sits 20 miles east of the New York state line in the western central area of the state. Its a great location for skiing, hiking (Appalachian and Green Mountain trails run through the area), camping, swimming, etc.

There was tons form me to venture out and see since I had never really been further north than Columbus, OH! The main goal was to experience a little of the famous Vermont Maple Syrup, Vermont Cheddar Cheese and Ben & Jerry's. My first night I had to travel to the capitol-Montpelier to pick up my nursing license- it was a beautiful drive through the winding snow covered mountains. I got settled in at a gorgeous bed and breakfast that I would highly recommend! B&B's are the main place to stay in New England, especially Vermont! It hosts a strong environmental and self sufficiency/sustainability type of atmosphere. Many items found in the area or grown, harvested, made by items from that area. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff!

  

The Inn at Montpelier was a gorgeous house that hosted many options for rooming. I didn't plan ahead very well since I had been driving all day and just wanted to get there before dark--so I ended up getting there and traveling around to a few other B&B's and using Yelp! I found this to be highly rated and one of the only ones with a vacancy! It was a pretty perfect location. On the main road at the end of the downtown strip, it was easy to unpack and venture out to find some food! I, being from the south...had no idea what to expect or pack for this winter venture, it was -15* that first night and I had snot and tears frozen to my face much like the scene from Dumb and Dumber! The inn keeper suggested an Italian place at the far end of the strip so I headed that way passing many little open shops, bars, and eateries arriving at Sarducci's. This was also suggested by a few of the shopkeepers and pharmacist at Walgreens...where I got some boogie drugs. It was a warm inviting place with lots to choose from. More of the chef special items than your Olive Garden type food. It sat right on the little stream that ran through town, but was too dark to get any good pictures. The snow was just something unreal in the moonlight, just like a Hallmark movie set! 
above: bedroom with bath at The Inn at Montpelier
left: street shot of Montpelier still
decorated for Christmas 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Rutland downtown was a neat little area with the "old charm" of fancy mobster days and flap dresses. It featured many fancy buildings, old theatre and train depot that is still running! Many of the buildings are full of offices or locally owned clothing stores and restaurants. One of the best places to eat was right down from these buildings. It was a local sandwich shop that was "cash only" and busy as heck! Gill's was THE place to go for the best homemade bread and sandwiches of all kinds. Everything was fresh and made to order and it smelled heavenly in there! You definitely will not leave hungry and will crave this place FOREVER...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a yummy Gill's Italian and homemade sourdough bread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driving around a new town is part of the adventure in witnessing a new place. Many roadside sites I found beautiful, one was a frozen waterfall outside of the city limits. I could see it from the road on a bridge I drove over and after a little map trekking I was able to find a road that went close by then get out and walk a bit to get a better picture. It was mesmerizing to see this clear water run over the ice and filter its was down the frozen dam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 There were lots of these magical places along the roads of this forgotten state. Another site that was jaw dropping and was partially due to the cleanness of the fresh snow and the bright sun and blue sky was a church I found on one of the side streets as I winded my way through some neighborhoods. This area was a large marble excavation area, which is showcased in many of the buildings around town. Their structures just stand out against the sky and mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar & Spice was a hot destination for those looking for some yummy pancakes and real Vermont maple syrup. They make the sweet treat in house during the spring in a huge vat in the basement which you can go down and watch, grab a sample and pour the steaming hot syrup on your scratch made buttermilk pancakes! It ain't no Ann Jemima (in fact you may smack her because it's that good)! This little wooden hut sold its house made syrup there and maple candies and oddities, but the best part is the food! After it starts to warm up a bit and the trees are ready to be tapped, you can drive by and watch the sweet goodness drip into the buckets for the syrup harvest. 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 Rutland hosted many colorful sunrises that peeked over the green mountains each morning. I'm not sure it the cold, the snow, the quietness, or what...but the sun lit up the sky like no other place perfectly every single morning I walked out of work! Great site to end each shift:)

Woodstock, VT

 

This was probably one of my favorite little places I visited. It was an hours drive from Rutland straight across to the eastern boarder of New Hampshire. The drive was so peaceful. Half of the way you go through the mountains and small little villages then you meet up with the Ottauquechee River. There are a few pullover spots to get out and few the winding river but they go by fast! There was a great little farmers market just inside the city limits as you arrived into town that hosted everything you could imagine as far as organic, locally raised/grown and also, a little "whole foods" type counter with premade dishes to take home and heat up along with made to order sandwiches and salads. I loved the blood oranges and pomegranates they always had in stock along with tons of other veggies and fruits, meats and premade items...and of course how could I go without a cute shirt!

View of the river splitting off between two building hosting shops in downtown Woodstock.









A view of Woodstock's main area shops. It hosts many art galleries, clothing/house décor boutiques, eateries, and the most famous thing (featured by Martha Stewart Magazine) an old timey General Store. It has a wooden floor and full of clothing, tools, medications, groceries, dry goods, hunting and fishing items...just about anything you can imagine!

Vermont is also known for its many covered bridges that are in use still to this day! Most are one lane wooden bridges that cross over streams or rivers. This was a gorgeous one right off the main street of Woodstock that took you back into a neighborhood and farmland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ottauquetchee River under the bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One farm out this way was Billings Farm. They featured a petting zoo, tours of their farm and animal stalls, a museum of agriculture and the way of farming life in Vermont and sleigh rides!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 The southern part of the state hosted a few areas. I made a loop around the state from boarder to boarder going through the mountains with a great little over look, passed by a Vermont Country Store that was like a Cracker Barrel store on steroids hosting games from my past and beyond, and over to Bennington which hosted the grave marker of Robert Frost. All of these areas hosted their own little towns lined with small streets and fancy buildings that looked like a movie set. I could definitely see many writers getting their ideas for show like Gilmore Girls, Newhart, Pollyanna, and many more. There is something in the air of the Green Mountains that fuels a sense of mystery, adventure and the time of when life was much easier.

 

 
 
 above: a nose on a tree in the cemetery hosting the Frost  family
 
top right: view from the top of a Green Mountain lookout 
 
right: store front of the Vermont Country Store in Bellow Falls, VT
 
bottom right: some of the found treasures from a time past in the store
 
below: Frost family grave in Bennington, VT. Pennies thrown on stone by visitors   
 

 Burlington, VT

The largest city of the state sits north close to the Canadian boarder and is a largely visited town of those that dare to cross over. It sits on the sparkling Lake Champlain, which hosts great waters known for its fishing. Looking across the waters you are able to admire the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Burlington is a bustling city full of college life and "city" people. There are many fine dining options along with pubs and bars that seem to pop a squat in any ol college town. The day I decided to go was during their Mardi Gras parade/festival. Burlington hosts the biggest Mardi Gras festivity outside of New Orleans because of a large French population...unsure if there are lots of ex-Canadians or what. The center shopping area of the town hosts a bricked road that no cars are allowed on and people can walk, sit, people watch and shop in the many shops. This is a large place for people to gather on the weekends and during activities and festivals held throughout the year.

 

right and below: Lake Champlain from different areas

   along the Vermont coastline showcasing the Adirondacks

   in the background

 

 

 

Shopping and eating district on Church St. that is blocked off to traffic.



 

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 Some cold people on the Mardi Gras floats!

Tons of people lined up for the parade!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, my adventure of a true Winter Wonderland was a great eye opener into what snow and cold temperatures really are!  Along with the weather and winter storm Nemo, I learned a lot about peace and the cleanliness of the air a snowfall can bring. Also the step back in time to where people respected and lived off the land and prided themselves into being individuals. The art of hosting through a bed & breakfast, warmth of Vermont wool socks, dairy farm made cheeses and creams, forests of fresh made maple syrup awaiting for the taking, trails and passages to secret serenity spots, and just how inviting it can be to see the sun and blue sky in the middle of the fresh fallen snow.  

 

 

 So, pack your bags and your winter gear and venture up to Vermont to see this majestic place of beauty. Go for the fall leaves and stay till the snow falls to experience the retreat of peace and new beginnings. There are many great b&bs to stay warm by the fire place and eat homemade cookies and a glass of milk or warm tea. Your adventure awaits!