This time we trek up Route 30 N into Manchester.
The leaves are not quite “peak”… hard to judge this, as weather conditions
are always a factor leading up to the event itself.
I laugh to myself, because our mission is “to see the color”…
and to find a genuine church-made apple pie.
Never had better, not even my own, no kidding.
The laugh is because we have the same beautiful foliage in Connecticut, truth be told..
but something about the mountains and the crisp air and maple everything
makes it more magical in Vermont.
First Stop.. West Dummerston Bridge…built in 1872…
longest two-span covered bridge in Vermont at 267 feet.
It crosses the West River, which we follow for much of our trek up 30 N.
The West River is beautiful, we step down under the bridge
and we think out loud what an awesome kayak trip that would be.
Then we drive through the town of NewFane,
where volunteer firemen are collecting donations with their boots in the street..
and we stop at the Heritage Festival.
I love this town.
There were about 100 artisans and vendors on the church green
selling all kinds of beautiful things… this festival is worth a trip up North for sure.
You know I bought some of these….
and in that church on the left?…
I found this…
What we notice most when we visit Vermont
is the genuine ease and friendliness of the people. Even when they know you’re a “visitor”.
Mike always says he feels instant decompression when he drives over the border.
The Town of Newfane has some really lovely typical Vermont
buildings and houses along it’s “Main Street”…
Heading up to Stratton Mountain and Manchester just beyond it,
we come across this big red barn…
and a purple one too….
In Vermont, house and barn are usually close together,
and sometimes attached… as the winters are coooold.
Less exposure to the weather.
This is why the bridges are covered.. to protect them from the elements.
Manchester surprised me and I didn’t photograph it…it’s a very upscale ski and shopping town,
with stores like J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kohrs, etc…
Although we met a very down-to-earth shop owner of the Country market and gas station at
the entrance to town. He’s originally from New Jersey…
moved to Vermont to get away from it all.
He said it’s absolutely lovely to live there.. .just… bring a restaurant with you.
We followed the river back home….
..got awesome Maple Cheddar and Sage Cheddar at the Grafton Village Creamery..
This is seriously so freak’n delicious. Are you a cheese lover?
Find out if you can order it online, it’s worth it.
…and a stop at the Dam Diner.
I just couldn’t pass that sign up.
Your story and pictures make me feel like I was in the car with you guys. Nice job Karen!
That pie looked very tasty!…Did you buy just a piece or a whole pie?
Beautiful ride! We will do the same except thru the Adirondack Mountains! Thanks for sharing! Carolyn
I love Vermont, fantastic state, fantastic people. Every inch.
Next time you do that, remember I am only one hour from Manchester, and then you could shoot down through New Yawk, and get home faster, and see ME.
Or you could stay at the studio ……..no charge……..and relax.
I LOVE Vermont.
Oh boy, that looks like October in every way possible. Thanks for taking me along.
Gorgeous photos and great commentary Karen. Lovely post to read this crisp fall morning. 🙂
Beautiful, Karen. Thanks for the drive along with you. Love these photos!
What beautiful pics! I love Vermont too and it's so picturesque this time of the year. Our place is further north and the maples were stunning last weekend! Love the covered bridge pics…awww makes me want to watch "Bridges of Madison County"!…one of my favorite movies!
You are an awesome tour guide!!!
It was a great trip.
how beautiful is that place? how beautiful are those pies!!?
Ok that quilt? BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I love Newfane. Spent many a summer weekend at their HUGE flea market. These pix are beautiful and they transported me to a place I am very fond of. I've hiked and skied their mountains and relaxed in their hotels and restaurants. It is a sight for sore eyes to see that not much has changed. And still the pretty countryside I have always loved.
That scenery is B-R-E-A-T-H-T-A-K-I-N-G! I've never seen fall colors in person before.
Kristin
How beautiful. I wish we could have seen Vermont, too. We have a diner here called that here, too close to a local dam.
The shot of the stream with the mist – phenomenal! Beautiful.
It is my goal to someday get to New England in the fall…so beautiful!! Thank you for the beautiful tour!!
Wonderful photo's! So glad you guys had such a great day.
Decompressing is a good thing!
xoxo
Looks like my kind of town! Have a great day
Thank you for such a lovely road trip.
Donna
I've always wanted to see Vermont…your pictures didn't disappoint! How nice that you found the pies you were looking for!!
XO,
Jane
Oh my goodness, thank you for the excursion! So beautiful. Covered bridges, mountains, trees, barns, ALL OF IT!
And I would have had to get some fudge, to feed my chocolate cravings.
Someday, someday, I shall visit this part of the world.
Lovely!
Mr O and I were supposed to go to Vt this weekend too…but discovered that the heater in our camper isn't working:( Hopefully the heater will be fixed in time to go another October weekend! In the meantime I will just enjoy your lovely photos…
It is so picturesque that it doesn't look real! But we've driven up there a few times in the Fall and know it really is breathtaking! You took amazing photos, my friend! I'll go back and look at them again! Hugs!
I am a bit jealous! What a lovely trip. I have been to Vermont once, and loved it. Those two selling the dog biscuits are just too cute.
I love Vermont! Thanks for the trip!!
Loved the trip to Vermont! Wow, so much to see and do… and the scenery is off the charts beautiful. I would love to visit there, we plan on doing the east coast every fall when Jerry retires… soon!
We were just in Vermont two weeks ago. What a beautiful State. Your pictures have captured it. Thanks for visiting my site.
What beautiful pictures! Sounds like a very fun trip. 🙂
What a great road trip! I made a delicious apple pie with apples picked by my honey yesterday! I would have invited you if you were in the Maine coast area! Oh well, next time!
Gorgeous photos, and I just love that covered bridge. I have a beginners drawing book, and I swear there is a sketch of that bridge, looks very familiar, right down to the stone foundation and the trees nearby. I could be wrong….
Thank you for letting me ride along. What a perfect weekend. I think I like Vermont also!!
Isn't Vermont lovely. We are so lucky here in New England. Great photos.