Brandon to Northern Vermont

Rain had already fallen by the time we got up this morning. We felt so thankful that we had completed our bike ride with such wonderful weather and the rain waited to fall until today. The breakfast by Judy at the Inn on Park Street was great, the scones were fabulous!

We headed north out of Brandon around 9:30 am; the sky was overcast, but no rain in the air. A few of the roads and intersections were familiar as we headed north on US Highway 7 since we had crossed and ridden on that road a few times on our bikes. We saw the green mountains in the distance.

 We've seen so many big, beautiful barns in Vermont.

Today we passed many places that were selling pumpkins, gourds, apples and other wares.

Unique artwork is plentiful. 

 Very unique scarecrows, too!

 Driving north to Burlington, we finally got to see Lake Champlain. Many people were spending Saturday morning in the waterfront area, the park, the boardwalk, shops and restaurants.  

 We looked across the lake to see New York state.

From Burlington we headed east to Waterbury to the Ben & Jerry's factory.

Since it was Saturday, the production line was closed but the tour was fun and very interesting.

The sample at the end was delicious!

 Yes, maybe we are a little "half baked"!

From Waterbury, we drove north on Highway 100 again, then turning off

to see the Trapp Family Lodge in the mountains above Stowe.

 I couldn't help but sing: "The hills are alive, with the sound of music..."

We did see a meadow on a hill but Russ didn't stop for me to twirl and sing there...I guess if we were in Austria he may have stopped to let me sing!

Driving on 108 we visited the Stowe Mountain Resort ski area

 We rode the gondola to the top.

 The trees looked pretty even though it was cloudy and began to mist as we reached the top

Some people rode the zip line, today I preferred the enclosed gondola.

The cliff house at the top

 Looking down from the top

 The Stowe Mountain ski map

The clouds covered the top of the mountain.

Continuing on 108, we went over the pass on a VERY winding and steep road that is closed in the winter. MANY cars were parked along the way for the hiking trails on the mountain. This photo is just looking back at the very end of the crazy winding part of the road where the road zig-zagged around huge boulders. With the misty rain I couldn't get a picture out the front window and there was too much traffic to stop. There were places where my mom would have been VERY nervous!

We thought it was really a cool road and were glad we went that way.

Driving on to Jeffersonville, we reached our destination for the night, Smuggler's Notch Inn.

After getting checked in, we drove around the area a bit, stopped at a couple of stores, then settled in our room. We watched the Nebraska game, YAY HUSKERS! They won! After the game we enjoyed dinner in the restaurant downstairs, the clam chowder and panini sandwich were delicious.

A week has passed since we began our journey in Vermont. Today we talked about the beauty, the calm, the relaxation and restoration we have felt. Some may think a week of bike riding among hills doesn't sound full of relaxation or restoration, maybe I thought so too before experiencing it. But, really, it has been a unique experience. Seeing the mountains, the pastures, the streams and rivers led me to this psalm today.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
 Even though I walk   (or ride)
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

AMEN