Sun., 13 Oct/13

Up with the TV; but, not out. We stayed to watch "Sunday Morning" until 10:30. It's nice to watch "Good News" items at least once a week.

Today we headed back through Randolph, VT to Bethel, VT then VT-107 to VT-100 and US-4 to Rutland, VT. We fueled up at $3.47 (U.S. Gallon) before parking to visit the "52nd Annual Art in the Park" Craft Fair held in Main Street Park, at the Junction of Routes 4 & 7 in the heart of Rutland. An estimated attendance of 8,000 to 10,000 is expected. Art in the Park has been named one of the “Sunshine Artist 200 Best”.

Fortunately, we found an empty parking spot just across the road from the park. A local bank generously allows the Boys Scouts to use their parking lot to raise funds for their troop. A $2 donation saved us a half-hour searching for a spot and a walk of at least a few blocks.

There were a lot of neat things we liked; but, either didn't need or have room for in the house or motorhome. We did buy a raffle ticket for a quilt and a Quart (U.S. = 32 oz) of Maple Syrup. There are usually 4 Grades of Maple Syrup. The lighter is from the beginning of the season and the colour darkens progressively to the end of the season syrup. The maple flavour intensifies as the colour darkens. The darkest, end of season syrup, is best for cooking only. We prefer the medium light which gives a nice balanced flavour.

Leaving the Craft Fair we headed South on RT-7. The usual traffic congestion and numerous traffic light stops before clearing Rutland. We passed a Comfort Inn which brought back memories. Years ago we stayed here when travelling with Best Friends. The guys went out for snacks and when we returned to the room we were immediately "Shushed" by the girls. We then spent the next hours sitting on the edge of the bed watching the slow-motion car chase as cops followed O.J. (Simpson) in his Bronco. We still laugh about this today.

We left RT-7 for the Historic RT-7a and were soon entering Manchester, VT. This is a cross between Stowe, VT (rich tourists - without the skiing) and Vermont's version of North Conway, NH. There is wall-to-wall traffic, outlet and boutique shopping, B & B's and Country Inns. Manchester Center a shopper's paradise with its signs, sights and many shops. It is completely different from Manchester Village.

One day it would be nice to be rich enough to stay at the Equinox Resort in Manchester Village and sit out on the front porch in one of their green rocking chairs. This area has catered to the rich for over 2oo years when they arrived by train.

It is also home to Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln's 412-acre summer estate. Even if you are not into history - the tour offered here is well worth taking.

Our prime destination for today was the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive a few miles South from Manchester Village on Rt-7a. The plan is to take Skyline Drive to the summit and enjoy the views. From here, on clear days, you can see mountain ranges in NH, NY, MA, VT and even Mount Royal (Montreal, QC - Canada)

We enjoyed our picnic lunch at the new St. Bruno Scenic Viewing Center at the summit.  St. Bruno (11th Century, France) was the founder of the Carthusian Order. Mount Equinox and Skyline Drive is owned by the monks who live in the secluded monastery below the road. They inherited the 7,000 acre property in 1971 from John Davidson who willed it to the monks under the condition they care for his wife, Madeline.

 

Completed in 2012, this Center replaces the "Skyline Inn" (pictured below) which was built shortly after WWII at the summit. This structure was considered "ground-breaking" at the time as it used many plastics (new to construction) and had a flat roof and simplistic, un-ornamental design with huge amounts of window space in each room.

 

 

 

In the early 90's this was a favourite place for family stays when we visited Vermont.  We always got the corner room behind the office where we often enjoyed looking down during thunderstorms as the lightning flashed through the clouds below us. At the time we stayed there it was run by a Vietnam Veteran Tank Commander and his family. If my memory serves me correctly. he lost both legs (below the knees) in combat and petitioned JFK to allow him to return to active service (first double amputee to return to combat).

 

The owner sponsored chef trainees (I believe those chosen also had some type of handicap) to train in his kitchen. Our girls loved escargot. We delighted in the steak and lobster. Our bills in the gourmet restaurant were always more than the room charges.

 

Sadly, when he passed, his wife could not longer manage. Somewhere along the line it became a B & B for a period then was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Torn down in 2011, after at least a decade of deterioration, it is now been replaced by the new visitor's center.

We passed on a return visit to Mr. Barbo's grave. Mr. Barbo was the beloved dog of the owner, who was killed by a hunter in 1955. Davidson tried vainly to find the culprit - even resorting to public appeals - with no results. A short hike along the ridge trail will bring you to the gravesite; visitors often leave 'prayer stones' on top of the marker.

 

A Note: The Norman Rockwell collection is no longer in the old church in Arlington. It now resides at the Sugar Shack - just east of Arlington.  Rockwell (who lived in Arlington for a period) is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for the Saturday Evening Post magazine for more than four decades.

Many area children served as models for Rockwell's Illustrations. We have a print from the previous Arlington location (church) that was signed by the two models who posed, when children, for Rockwell.

Our next (regular stop) was The Village Peddler Chocolatorium and Bearatorium in East Arlington, VT. Sadly, the old mill store across the road has been closed (for years). Fortunately, the mill stream still flows. We spent a few moments enjoying the swiftly flowing water as it gurgled over the rocks. A beautiful, tranquil spot.

They hold the record for the World's Largest Chocolate Teddy Bear (Cocoa weighs 100 lbs) as well as the World's Largest Peanut Butter Cup. (at least they did at one time)

At the store Charlotte found a matching "Hoppy" for the scarecrow "Muffy" she bought the other day. We also bought one of their huge "Sour Pickles"; but, passed on the fudge.

A few minutes after leaving we were headed North on RT-7. We turned off onto RT-11 towards Peru. On the way we passed the historic Wiley Inn on Mount Bromley which was once owned by relatives (my mother's side). Charlotte and I once stayed, as guests of Aunt Edith.

We turned off RT-11 onto Rt-100 and headed North to Weston, VT. We once again stopped at The Vermont Country Store. The parking lot was still full - except for the 3 tour buses. We munched our way through the dips, jams and cheeses. Charlotte bought a coffee and after sampling several "smells" decided on "White Shoulders" body powder.

Our route back to the RV, rather than doing a repeat of our return from here yesterday, took us East through Ludlow and Cavendish, VT on Scenic 131. We decided to connect to I-91 as it was now dusk. Ten minutes later we turned onto I-89 North and a half hour later pulled off at to Exit 4. In a few minutes later we were at the campground.

We could not have wished for a more perfect Autumn day. It would have been perfect even in the summer. It was not only "Top Off" cruising - we had to take our coats off and lower the windows. The leaves were at their peak and the sun was so warm. Wow! This and miles of smooth curving roads - and scenery to boot!