Still in Vermont

This is our last day here in Vermont before we launch in a few hours for Gorham, NH in the White Mountains.  We've been having a good time.  The campground, Sugar Ridge, is quite nice, large sites, but a huge busy campground, and since the kids haven't gone back to school yet here in New England, well what can I say?

We went over to Cabot, VT to visit Cabot Creamery and of course buy a ton of cheese.  It is an interesting tour, but more importantly, they make fantastic cheese with their coop of farmers throughout New England.  It is a great, successful coop that's been in existence since 1919 when 94 farmers put up $5/cow and a cord of wood and bought an old creamery built in 1893 and began making butter.

Then we took a ride over to St Johnsbury for a decent lunch and a bit of sightseeing.  The weather has been very kind although it is a bit warm now into the mid 80's for a few days.

Yesterday we started off at the farmer's market in Danville then made our way to Barre (barry) to visit a granite quarry and processing company, Rock of Ages  It was very interesting and impressive.  The quarry is on a huge dome of granite, monument quality, not used for counter tops for example, that is 2 miles by 4 miles by 10 miles deep!  Enough at their present extraction rate for 4000 years!!  They have been in operation since 1885.

An older area

The granite silt from the drilling and cutting makes
the water the same color as the silt from glaciers

Cutting the huge blocks 10 feet thick

The cranes to move the blocks

Their granite was used for the WWII Memorial in Washington, and they explained that they were slowly changing out the marble headstones at Arlington Cemetery for granite as they will last much longer.
They had an idea back in 1951 to build outdoor bowling alleys from granite.  They felt it would showcase their granite and be a weatherproof alley that could be added to many resorts and mansions.  They got Brunswick to come and check it out and it turned out to be a dismal failure!  Seems the polished granite is so smooth that when you put spin on the ball, it has no effect!  So they have one alley set up that you can play on.

You can see in the picture how the "soft" concrete gutters
have worn and the granite lane has not

We then drove to a little lake to have a picnic lunch.  Very pleasant and beautiful.

Lunch time

A pair of loons were playing and eating as well.

It was a good day for our last in Vermont.

Green, green, Vermont

After Indian Lake we took a very leisurely drive to Randolph Center, Vermont.  It is essentially right in the middle of the state.  The countryside is verdant green and just bursting with life.  We have been enjoying the fresh veggies at the roadside stands and farmers markets.  Finally, good tomatoes and corn!

We stumbled upon a gorgeous campground, Lake Champagne, here in Randolph Center.  It is on 100 private acres with fabulous views, that coupled with sensational weather, it is practically perfect.

Right from our campsite to the right

and to the left.

I or I should say we, have rediscovered hills.  As you know since my issue I have been very determined to exercise numerous times a week, and for me that is walking.  3 miles was about the norm in Florida, but at Karen's, 2.75 was the norm as she has a big hill in her driveway that I wasn't used to, but here in Vermont, wow!  So 2.5 miles, down and up, and down and up, and down and up, are the norm.  And at the end of my walk there is no doubt I had my heartrate up :-)

We took a long ride yesterday, a huge loop from Randolph up through Warren and Waterbury to have lunch in Burlington.  Yeah, I know driving 75 miles for lunch may be strange for some, but not for us.  April had recommended a place in Burlington that was a farm to table restaurant specializing in local veg and meats and cheeses, so we wanted to give it a whirl.  It is called the Farmhouse Tap and Grill  We had a great lunch.  3 different burgers, yeah, I know, but we just couldn't not do it.  Karen stuck with the local grass fed beef with Landaff creamery cheese, local bacon, and pickled onions, and I did catch her a little off guard.

Munch, munch

Jan went with a turkey burger with tilsit cheese, cranberry mostarda, arugula, and charred onions.

Mid mouthful!

And yours truly went with pork with Cabot cheddar, a sunny side egg, and coleslaw.  Along with our handcut fries,we were happy, happy!
We then drove north to Fairfax to sightsee, found a great view, and an unexpected waterfall where a power plant had been built.

We cut back around and south through Smuggler's Notch beside Mt Mansfield towards Stowe.   Very scenic and narrow road!  The notch was used by smugglers bootlegging goods in from Canada.

A portion of the narrow "notch"

We had heard about a waterfall near Stowe that we wanted to hike into, Moss Glen Falls. It was a little of a let down but an enjoyable short hike to a mostly inaccessible falls.

The way to the falls

About as close as you can get

Still worth it

After stretching our legs, back in the car to head back to the campground.  190 mile round trip lunch!