Shelburne Museum is probably the number one "must-see" attraction in the State of Vermont. Over the past decades, school field trips from all around the area have journeyed to this wonderful museum. The Ticonderoga and the adjacent Colchester Reef lighthouse are easily two of the most impressive attractions. The lighthouse was built in 1871, dimsatled and moved to the Shelburne Museum in 1952. The steamboat Ticonderoga is a fully restored, side-wheel passenger steamer built in 1906 and moved to the museum grounds in 1955. When visiting the museum, you can buy a DVD or tape that shows the Ticon [View Full Entry]

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Friday, August 24th, 2007. Missisquoi River, Vermont. Darrin awoke to the same steady rain that had lulled him to sleep the night before. When he emerged from his tent, he found it and his canoe covered with “eight billion” slugs. Slimy as they were, Darrin preferred them over the previous day’s skunk. After breakfast with the slugs, Darrin set out to navigate another upstream day, only this time with much more water. His route up the Missisquoi was lined by acre after acre of agricultural fields - fields that drain run-off into the river. After a night of steady [View Full Entry]

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Thursday, August 23rd, 2007, 5:30am. Darrin awoke at dawn, and decided to set his canoe at the riverside before breakfast. As he was maneuvering the boat across a small ravine, a skunk popped out of the vegetation. Figuring that he smelled foul enough already, Darrin left the boat where it was, and quickly proceeded with breakfast. Seemingly noting Darrin’s submission, the black-and-white stripped-mammal wandered away without incident. Phew. Thus began a long and tiresome day of lining up, and portaging around, multiple ledges, rapids, and dams. Darrin portaged around East High [View Full Entry]

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About to leave Weston tomorrow (Friday). The Inn is wonderful and the proprietors outstanding - real olde worlde Vermont. Linda and Bob made us feel at home straight away with homemade pastries and lemonade. The dining is the best we've had and matches anything the Michelin stars of Ludlow can offer. Have learnt how maple syrup is made too. Weston itself is quite small but very sweet - the Country Store is famous and absolutely amazing - Di loves it! Nearly bought a Cadillac for $3000 dollars with only 22000 miles on the clock but Michael stopped me just in time. [View Full Entry]

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Finished exploring Boston (which we really liked) with a tour of the music shops and bookshops. Persuaded Michael to buy a pair of RayBans in Macey's! Visited various places on the freedom trail some of which were shopping arcades and food malls! Left Boston and drove North calling at Lake Sunapee and Woodstock on route passing through large expanses of pine forests. Arrived in Stowe just in time to catch the last sights of a vintage car rally (their 50th) which blocked most of the streets. Some beautiful old cars though - Mustangs included. Spent today exploring Stowe which has a [View Full Entry]

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Aptly named, the section of Vermont I drove through fits the state's nickname. Despite driving through the widest part of it (the upper third), I managed to drive it in less than 5 hours (including the usual pit stops). Along the Vermont 100 scenic highway, also referred to as the Main Street of Vermont's Green Mountains. I did manage a short walk in Stowe, VT, the big ski mecca of the state. Well, it's hard to manage anything but a short walk since the town center is two blocks long. Apparently, this place is for the wealthy, since the homes, resorts, [View Full Entry]

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Rode from Laconia to Saratoga Springs. Rode into Springfield Vermont where a banner strung across Main Street decreed home of the Simpsons. Well I just had to stop and watch the Simpsons Movie. [View Full Entry]

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Mom had to work today, which worked out perfectly since my copy of Deathly Hallows was due to be delivered- surprisingly it arrived at 10 am! SPOILER ALERT So I settled into the porch with a case of Killian's and my book. During the 10 hours it took me to read the 784 pages I managed to eat a tray of sushi and a fluffernutter sandwich, and get a really random sunburn on my right arm and inside left calf. I did take a 2 hour break to walk to downtown for dinner with my mom. The brie and apple ravioli [View Full Entry]

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Today we leave. Thomas Transportation arrives this afternoon bring a student from Landmark, picking me up and then Mike to head to Boston. Then the overnight flight to Shannon airport. I'm about done packing, but have a lot of nervous energy. I hope to get a bike ride in this morning (and weed my garden) before a long day and night of travel. I have created an earlier entry as a trial to this blog, but it hasn't shown. So I hope that I am using it correctly (I also spent several hours with Mike this week working on the course [View Full Entry]

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Today I am in my office tinkering with the Ireland course website and photocopying some things to bring on the trip. There are four days left and tomorrow I hope to begin packing. This year I plan to bring my binoculars (to take in the views) as well as drawing and watercoloring art supplies (for recreation). Here are some photos from this same trip from two years ago. [View Full Entry]

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