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Published: October 20th 2008
New York 2
Me at Top of Blue Mountain“Wither shall we flee from civilization, to take off the harness and ties of society, and rest for a season, from the restraints, the conventionalities of society … the strife’s and competition of life?" Samual H Hammond 1857 (said about the Adirondacks)
Well, it has only been 10 days but it feels like 10 weeks. I have been doing lots of activities and travelling. Most of my trip won’t be this busy, but I knew the fall colours and the nature of Vermont would keep me busy as that is what I love to do most.
Ok … for those people who like stats … 11 days, 2650 km’s driven, 2 campgrounds, 3 hostels, 1 stop at McDonalds.
I just arrived in Boston this afternoon. My leaf peeping days are finally complete but I had a blast. My trip started in New York camping for a couple days in the Adirondacks. While there I hiked up Blue Mountain.
I then moved onto Vermont. I camped again for a couple days. The nights were pretty cold but the weather was so great with blue skies, I couldn’t resist. I then did a driving tour on the recommended roads. The
New York 1
View from my campsite colours were beautiful. I was so amazed at how many colours there are. I know we have some pockets of great colours in Ontario, but the whole state is full of colour. I just kept saying “This is beautiful”. I tried to take pictures but I know none of them will really capture the beauty. While driving around a managed to visit the Von Trapp family lodge (where the Von Trapp’s lived when they came to America) and toured the Ben and Jerry’s factory where I got to sample “Chocolate Therapy”.
I then moved to mid-east Vermont and stayed 3 nights at a hostel in White River Junction. I then saw the beautiful QueQue Gorge, toured a maple syrup and cheese farm and then hung out in Woodstock for the day. I was here on the Canadian Thanksgiving so I treated myself to a nice dinner.
While on the east coast, I took the opportunity to spend a couple days in New Hampshire. I visited Little River Gorge and had a great time climbing through the caves in the rocks. I then went to the Flume Gorge, which was a nice trail walk, but the actual gorge was
nothing to write home about (even though I just did … get it! :-)) The next day I explored the art museum at Dartmouth College then explored an old shaker homestead.
Then it was off to the southwest corner of Vermont to a hostel just outside of Bennington. I was originally supposed to stay 2 nights but it was so beautiful there(and Ann was so friendly) that I decided to stay a couple extra days. While there I explored the Norman Rockwell exhibit in Arlington where he lived for about 10 years. It was here that he started to use the locals as his subjects in his paintings. It was a small exhibit, but I am such a fan that I spent over an hour reading everything they had. I met a nice couple from England (Dan and Bethany) and became instant friends (you guys can pay me later!)
I then spent a couple days down in Massachusetts. I of course had to go to Stockbridge to another Norman Rockwell Museum. This one contained some of his original paintings and his art studio was moved to this location. Again, I spent a lot of time here (at least
a couple hours). I just love how he can portray the emotions of his subjects. Ok, enough about him. That same day I did a little hike on some trails and saw a Bobcat and her young up close ... I was very excited. Next I spent a whole day enjoying some contemporary art at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art … I thoroughly enjoyed it, very thought provoking pieces.
Ok … that is it so far … kind of boring eh? It wasn’t for me though … I am having a great time. Meeting nice people and new friends and enjoying the time to just relax.
Enjoy the photos!
Ttyl
Jules
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bethany
non-member comment
yay we made it into the blog!
what an exciting 6months you're going to have if all that is just up to now,although maybe it seemed longer because i'm reading it on dan's phone!