Finally… a morning with hints of blue skies. 

These distances seemed much shorter when we did not think about 2600 vertical feet also being included

We did not hesitate to drive the two miles to the trailhead for our ascent to the summit of Mt. Ascutney.  This ended up being an awesome adventure… at points it seemed a bit much, but we just kept moving forward.  The first quarter-mile was a series of switchbacks between two farmers fields.  Then, the next mile was a gentle climb on an old cart-path.  This was the former road up to a granite quarry that has long been abandoned.  We found plenty of stuff from the old quarry.

the old boom from the crane - made of massive timbers

Just beyond the old quarry site, we encountered about 12 workers from the VT Youth Conservation Corps.  They were digging trenches to keep rain water from washing out the trails.  Willem thought it was awesome seeing construction workers on the trails.  There were a series of rock scrambles and then flatter sections for the next mile, but everything was super-slippery from the weeks of rain we have had throughout New England.  We reached North Peak and had the misguided notion that it would be a straight shot to the summit… we were mistaken.  The last mile to the summit was full of rock scrambling and wet trails… the exposed roots from the Red Pine were especially slick and lead to many near falls.  But then we reached the summit of Mt. Ascutney (3,143 ft).  We reached the summit in just under two hours. 

at the summit

another lunch at 3000+

the view cleared as we ate lunch

The hike down was tougher than usual as the trail was so wet that we had to be extra careful.  There were some bumps, bruises and scrapes, but nothing major… we had a nice snack break above the quarry and that helped in the final mile’s push to the end. 

basking in accomplishment

We were officially beaten by the rain today… the downpour started when we reached the parking lot of out intended hike and did not let up till we were back at the condo.  We made the most of it and visited some cool places:

1. King Arthur Flour Factory Store – had some sweet and savory treats and good coffee for a post-breakfast “snack”

2 princes

2. Quechee Gorge Shops (our hike was supposed to be the Gorge) – Willem found his Holy Grail – a John Deere Shirt!

new favorite shirt over his old favorite - the tow truck shirt

3. Long Trail Brewery – good beer, a great plate of hummus and veggies, good fries and a cool factory tour – but it was too loud for Willem.

Long Trail - are you noticing a theme?

notice the bottling machine is also named Simon

4. Vermont Country Store – they have all those hard to find things you don’t really need, but always wonder where you would go to buy it if you did… we escaped with only buying some candy.

VT Store between rain showers

Moose Men

It has rained every day of our vacation so far – but we are finding times between showers to get out and hike as we had originally planned… today was no exception, but it looked grim.  It was raining when we woke up, so after breakfast we decided to head North and hope to drive out of the rain… we were mistaken.  It was only raining harder.

We decided that what we needed to help us forget about the rain was free cheese samples… lots of samples.  The Cabot Creamery fulfilled that need.  Lots of cheese, dips, spreads, even butter to sample… skipped the factory tour as there was a long line and we realized that it had stopped raining.  The boys each bought a Stewart’s Old-Fashioned Soda and we loaded back into the Armada.

Maria found a hike nearby and off we went… after only ten minutes of back-tracking, we ended up at Owl’s Head Mountain. 

A great hike through dense pine forest with only gradual inclines.  A small stone building greeted us at the top – the view was awesome – even though it was misty, we could see as far Camel’s Hump (over 20 miles away).  We ate our lunch at the top – PB&J or Nutella sandwiches accompanied by Hi-C fruit punch, we each also had a handful of BBQ chips… mmmm.  The walk back was just as nice.  We heard woodpeckers, but could not find them.  We also saw a few chipmunks.

 On the way home, we just “happened” to be near the Harpoon Brewery and since it was dinner time, we had to make a stop. 

The best part was that the boys finally got to see working machines at a brewery.  We have had bad timing at our prior brewery visits. 

The food was good and the beer was great.  Maria and I split a sampler flight and the boys had freshly brewed orange sodas.  Jackson charmed all the servers and enjoyed his french fries.  We also picked up a magnet and a pair of pint glasses, then drove the last bit home.

After Jackson went to sleep, we finished our Monopoly game… we have had a game going since the first day.  For the record: Maria won, Simon lasted the longest before bowing out and I was utterly humiliated by them both as I was destroyed first.  Even Willem lasted longer in the game than I did.

We drove to the Southwest corner of Vermont and spent the day hiking in three different locations.  We started at Mount Equinox – unfortunately we had to pay to get access to the Skyway Road so that we could hike at the summit… the inn at the summit has long been closed and the trails are not maintained as well as others we have hiked. 

signs from better days

There were great views in all directions and the trails were well-worn enough that they were easy to follow even without markings.  The few signs that we saw were so badly rusted that they were useless.  The craziest part was a long wall along the parking lot was made entirely of marble.  We ate our lunch at Lookout Rock and headed back down the mountain.

Simon looking east

Lunch at 3000+ feet

The drives along the backroads have been part of the fun… there is always something very interesting or unique in every small town.  Our next stop was Emerald Lake State Park – we never found the Rock Bridge that was supposed to be the goal of our hike.  The trail book we used was 18 years old and we found out from the park rangers that the trail we were trying to find was not part of the park (they actually used the word, “unsanctioned”).  Regardless, it was a nice hike and we enjoyed the last quarter mile – it was all downhill and through a meadow.

Meadow

waterfall we found by kinda getting lost

Jackson was unimpressed with the meadows and slept instead

I too want to be buried where everyone could have a BBQ immediately after the funeral

The last hike of the day brought us to the Ice Beds Trail – the hike took us up for a bit to a great vista, then we hiked down, down, down… to the base of a huge rock slide.  The air is so cool from downdrafts that ice can be found year-round in the spaces between the giant boulders.  We were all surprised at how easy the hike back up the hill ended up being…  and then the heavens opened up right as we reached the car.

and away we go...

the top of the rock slide

the bottom of the rock slide

Simon mid-leap (or busting out the robot)

As if the three hikes wasn’t enough – Simon and Willem took me to the pool for almost two hours after we returned to the condo.

We left first thing in the morning to drive to Burlington – picked up Carey and got a quick sugar fix from Champlain Chocolates in Burlington… the plans were to hike if it was not raining, otherwise visit the touristy places.  Downpours all the way to Burlington… followed by steady rains all the way down 89 to our first stop: the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory.  

Braving the rain in search of ice cream

  A quick visit to the graveyard of former flavors (some we had never heard of: sweet potato pie, others were well-loved: Rain Forest Crunch) and then we went to the factory.  There was a huge line for the tour and it was a bit more than we wanted to pay (and wait in line).  Instead, we each ordered ice cream – it somehow tastes even better at the factory.  We cruised the gift shop: two pencils and a fridge magnet.  Too bad it was raining – the playground looked fun and it looked like they normally had other outside stuff too, like make your own Ben & Jerry’s tie-dyed shirts.

I went old-school - Strawberry

Jackson was admiring his own reflection in the glass door

The rain continued so we drove just a little ways down the road to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill – free cider popcicles for the boys and cider doughnuts for everyone – Jackson was a fan.  Two Moose snow globes were also purchased thanks to the vacation $$$ from Oma/Opa and Nanna/Grandad.

We stopped for lunch and then went where all true “Austrians” would… the Trapp Family Lodge.  The view from up there was amazing… good choice of location.

Edelweiss... Edelweiss...

we started yodeling immediately after this was taken

We dropped off Carey in Burlington and decided on the backway for our trip home.  Then the rain just kinda stopped… Maria quickly found a short hike and we ended up at the Fall of Lana.  The hike was just enough to stretch our legs.

45 minutes of enjoyable hiking

Both of us were happy to walking in the sunshine

Fall of Lana

As luck would have it… the Otter Creek Brewery was nearby – we stopped for two free samples and then finally returned home.

First hike of the day

After breakfast at the condo – we drove to Moss Glen Falls.  We wanted to get a hike in first thing as there was rain forecast for the afternoon.  There was fog on our way up, but most of it had burned off by the time we arrived.  The hike was spectacular with great views of the falls – just enough to be exercise, but nothing like the two on Day One.  Simon and Willem scambled all over the hill like two mountain goats – nothing seems to tire them which makes it more fun as they are always eager to keep pushing forwards.  We walked a little ways past teh gorge then decided to head back as we had a lot planned for the day.

Moss Glen Falls

Four boys and a waterfall

From the Falls, we decided to head towards Burlington as we wanted to go to Shelburne Farms and the Magic Hat Brewery… and the ECHO Aquarium if the rains started.  The clouds did come in and it looked likely to rain, but we ended up at the Farms. 

Farm Entrance and prices

Admission was a bit pricier then we had anticipated, but we paid and spent a nice afternoon walking around the 1,400 acre property.  The farm buildings were unlike any we had ever seen – built more like castles than farmhouses and barns.  The boys enjoyed the petting zoo and cheese-making demos.  We walked some of the trails, then stopped by gift shop for Maple Syrup Lollipops. 

Shelburne Farms

Baa Baa

Stormy clouds on their way

The next stop was Magic Hat Brewery – a few samples and a quick walk-through tour.

Magic Hat Artifactory

Factory floor

mmmm... chocolate chip pancakes and bikers

The drive to Ascutney was amazing – first the White Mountains, then the Green Mountains.  Though the weather threatened to rain – it held off most of the drive.  A few drops while we ate, then some more as we entered Vermont.

This was also Jackson 1st birthday – so we were able to turn his car seat forwards.

Jackson seated forwards

Jackson celebrated his first forward facing car ride in style.

Jackson asleep

We arrived, unpacked and then headed to Woodstock, Vermont… specifically Mount Tom.  The sky opened up as we parked, but we decided to head out anyway.  The hike was under the cover of trees and very little of the rain made it through – just enough to keep us all cool.  The best part was that it stopped raining just as we arrived at the summit.

Faulkner Trail to the summit

At the summit

On the way down we saw five orange salamanders.  They were very small, but did not immediately run away – they just scampered along, oblivious to us walking by.

Orange salamander

Simon, the wildlife biologist, had no fear of picking up (gently) the salamander for a picture.

Simon the ecologist

From Mount Tom, we drove fifteen minutes to another recommended hike – Mount Peg. 

Heading up to our second summit of the day

By this time, the skies had totally cleared and it was actually hot.  The walk up had fewer switch-backs, but was also steeper for long stretches.  The last 200 yards was through an open meadow and afforded us terrific views of the valley below.

we found a lean-to on the way up

Happy Birthday Jackson!!!!

At the summit of Mt. Peg

 The school building used to be the mechanical workshop of a major shipyard.  It is a great building and is in a wonderful location – just steps from the water.

On my way back to the hotel – the director took me to a vantage point above the town. 

Sign at the overlook (I think identifying the various fjords of the area)

Poseidon

I got a tip from my host at the school to go to the harbor around 7:00 PM… there must have been 300 boats, maybe more, all headed out of the fjord to waters and islands nearby. 

boats headed out to sea

boats of all sizes and types heading out

There were all kinds of boats – most were family motor boats, but there were some sailboats, a huge tugboat and even a replica viking ship – but I could not get a good picture of it as it was further out and towards the front of the pack.

also notice the clear blue skies... after 8 PM!

I was told this is an annual event and that the parties and bonfires go late into the night… as I found out from the late night waves of loud, drunken vikings that walked past my window well after 2 AM.

Whaling Equipment

It’s kinda funny that we watched Whale Wars right before I left.

Harpoons along the walls of the hotel

After eating a  light dinner, I walked around town a bit.  The harbor is only about a half-mile from the hotel so I walked that way first. 

At the edge of the harbor is a roundabout with a really cool fountain of a whaling boat.

This is also where I saw the group of Elvis Impersonators… of course.

Norwegian Elvis gang