Best Western New Englander Motor Inn Bennington

... their day off. We walked along with the crowds along the main street passing by local boutiques and shops. There wasn't really anything out of the ordinary here just establishments you would normally find in small towns that cater to tourism. We passed a town crier which I found to be really neat. Not the typical town crier, which is a person who yells out the day's news but a board were local events, yard sales, and auctions are posted. After strolling through the central green, we ...

... who knew??) Then off to see an apple cider mill, and then to Ben & Jerry's factory for a tour and some ice cream. It just so happens that this weekend was a big festival in Stowe, the fall colors are in full swing, AND it's a 3 day weekend for most over here (Columbus Day), so we had 6000 of our closest friends with us most of the day. That evening we had a great meal and then back "home" to crash. By the way, this is a very nice ...

... on the agenda was the Old North Church, a stop that I loved the first time and just as much this time. It’s an amazing building, with an amazing history. A history exemplified in the Longfellow poem . . .

Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch

Of the North Church tower as a signal light,

One if by land, and two if by sea;

And I on the opposite shore will be, . . .

Bennington, Vermont, Vermont, United States dgoff

... and out of stores and enjoying restaurants, staying in a B&B like the ones I looked at longingly. The only setback was Charlie lurching out suddenly while I was taking a photo, making me drop my camera. I yelled a couple of expletives at him and apologized to a nice man in a suit standing on the steps of the town library. He said the past winter here was the hardest in the last 20 years. Very nice fellow and great to talk to ...

Getting together with a dear friend is so special. Kate showed me around town, wined and dined me and hiked my legs off (and Charlie's) in the wooded park up the hill from Main Street.

Montpelier is a dog friendly town and Charlie got to lick up fallen crumbs as we ate lunch at the Skinny Pancake - a crepe place with wonderful crepes. Kate took ...

I'm at home, hanging with friends and the parentals. I'm working out the final details of my upcoming adventure and downloading an ambitious number of telenovellas in a last-ditch effort to learn a bit of Spanish before flying to Guadalajara. Will I succeed? Stay tuned!

... who apparently are looking to "Berlinise" the town with a wall. Further south we came upon a General store that sold absolutely everything, but it would appear that the local folk are very keen hunters or alternatively the local taxidermist closed down, as the store was full of stuffed animals.   That evening we had a great evening meal with David and his "ex-mother-in-law" Barbara who ...

... nav in particular. In the end I begged it to work, prayed to all the local gods, borrowed Mrs M's earring to reset it and finally got it going. Beautiful views, mountain, scarlets, etc. Got lost on our way up Route 12, stopped at Silver Lake, my new favourite spot, breakfasted in Rochester on Route 100, my new favourite village and made our way north thro' the most magnificent views to date. Took Lincoln Gap Road thro ...

... spite of the higher price. This large room is up two floors. Indeed it is in the attic, and has windows, two beds, a closet, a good sized bathroom with tub and tons of room. We unpack and get back in the car to visit Bennington . It is a bit late, so we only see the centre and then choose a restaurant, Carmody's Irish Pub. This is a pleasant place to dine. Nothing exceptional, and is probably the most "ordinary" dinner of our trip.

Well, I most profoundly apologize for the delay in notifiying people that the pictures are up. I have been so busy running around and casting a play (which is now cast and infintly exciting) and trying to catch up on all the work that I wasn't able to do because I was in VAPA (visual and performing arts building) for hours and hours on end. I've finally landed a little bit today (as I'm just ...