We were headed for Randolph, Vermont the next day. It was tentatively scheduled to be our base of operations for the next few days, including over the Columbus holiday weekend that concerned us about being able to get reservations at an rv park.
We arrived at the Abel Mountain Family Campground and got set up. We are getting better at the whole process, although overconfidence is the friend of disaster. It will rear its ugly head at some point and bite us.
The last places have had cable tv. That is a real plus. We got to watch the Orioles continue their winning ways. Amazingly, Gin is becoming a baseball fan. Cats barking and all of that...
The Green mountains are nearby as well as the ubiquitous train that is seemingly a must feature of every campground. However, it did not bother us at all.
Our first excursion was about fifty minutes away, Stowe, Vermont. It is a lovely, little town that is quite touristy. The main attraction for us was the two, not one but two, general stores that were side by side. In each were some unique items that were not seen anywhere else in our travels around the Mid-Atlantic area. Gin commented, quite correctly in my humble opinion, that the unique items had a "hippie" quality" as well as many of the clothing styles. It was not sunny, but not that cloudy either. Needless to say, it had rained or was going to rain. In our experience, that is always the case...
There were all kinds of jams, jellies, tangy and hot sauces, pretzels, nuts, and candies to sample and/or to buy. We did.
Wildlife that was stuffed (life, stuffed?) was around. The bear in the picture with me is about sixty percent of the size of the one that we encountered in Glacier National Park a couple of years ago. This one was much friendlier or at least less obnoxious.
The traditional white church with a tall steeple, a staple in Vermont towns, was there to see.
Instead of a lunch in a restaurant, we found a roadside market quite by accident that had wonderful roast beef sandwiches on their homemade bread. It was the cheapest and one of the best lunches we had. Sitting outside was relatively bug free (but not wasp free), but of course, the wooden picnic tables were damp. I do not like eating outside - never have and never will.
After lunch, we visited the Von Trappe Family Lodge - you know, the Sound of Music family. Missed the only tour of the day, which no guide or info had warned us about. We walked the grounds within the limits of what not buying an expensive ticket would allow. The tickets really only permitted nature trail walks and the like. There was nothing that would add to our interest in the Von Trappe family, so adios.
But it has great scenery from the altitude on the high point.
From the Von Trappe Lodge, we attended the Stowe Craft Fair. We are amazed at the creativity and beauty of some of the displays. There were all kinds of tasting of various jams and so on just like the general stores. There was also practically a whole tent devoted to wines and other spirits. I tasted what was the best rye whiskey ever. Often, companies advertise as "sippin whiskey." I've never found that to be the case as the alcohol is too strong when taken neat. In this case, it was strong, but very tasty and very smooth. Would have been tempted to buy a bottle, but at $67 dollars, no dice - especially when it would take me until 105 to finish the bottle at the rate I drink. Gin gagged when she took her mini sip, so in the eyes of the beholder....
Back to the campground for planning the next days.....
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