Vermont is gorgeous and beautiful and perfectly made for exploring the great outdoors. But with my tick paranoia at an all-time high, grand hikes through the nearby Taconic Mountains were out of the question. Instead we made our way through East Dorset and neighboring Manchester to explore what the great state of VT could offer beyond its majestic scenery.
Having read about local historic site
Hildene--the summer home of President Lincoln's son Robert--we made that our first stop of the day. Robert Todd Lincoln, the only one of the children to survive to adulthood, built the mansion in 1905 and the home was continuously occupied by Lincoln descendants
until 1975 (longer than any other Lincoln family residence!). Overlooking a massive green valley, the estate and the grounds surrounding it are absolutely stunning.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside, so I can't show you the enormous 1,000-pipe organ in the entrance hall, believed to be
the country's oldest residential pipe organ still in its
original location and in working order (!). But hopefully you get a sense of it by this awkward pose we struck in somewhat of an organ pipe shaped formation.
Keeping the historical home tour going, our next stop took us to the
Robert Frost Stone House Museum in the town of Shaftsbury. Surprisingly, the house is only partially made of stone (zing!).
The museum (if it can really call itself that--only two rooms!) features original furnishings and knick knacks from the time period Frost lived there (1920-1929) during which he wrote many of his most famous poems, in particular "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" which he penned at the dining room table in 1922.
I can't say we were especially impressed with the place, especially compared to Hildene, but I suppose we can brag that we stood in the very spot where an American classic was written. I think? No matter, by this time our stomachs were growling hangrily so we quickly traded in house for barn.
The Chocolate Barn, to be exact.
Very healthy lunch options. I think my choices adequately represent all four food groups. Wouldn't you agree, Mom?
Such a nutritious lunch helped us fuel up for the next strenuous & exhausting activity: pedal boating. Sure, pedal boating doesn't appear to require much skill or strength, and the only other people also renting one was a Japanese tourist couple clearly visiting from overseas (in the green boat ahead of us!), but I won't lie and say my thighs aren't still burning. And we only went around the lake a few times! The locals, meanwhile, lapped us in their BYOCs (bring your own canoes).
On the way to the lake, we also passed by this abandoned marble quarry, which now serves as the town swimming pool during the summer months. If we'd had our bathing suits with us, I was ready to jump right in. Followed by a relaxing deep REM sleep in the grass like that orange shorts/camo hat guy.
Finally, it was time to head home, pack up the car, grab the last of the kettle corn & say our goodbyes to Vermont.
On the drive back to New York, I very helpfully provided top-notch navigation skills once again. Kevin really appreciated it.
If you ever find yourself in southern Vermont, the beautiful Hildene House is well worth a visit & be sure to make a pit stop at the Chocolate Barn. Your sweet tooth will thank you!
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