Favorite thing: We came here to Plymouth, Vermont, in trial rather than by error! This was the final day of our vacation before the drive back to Boston for the flight home. We had intended to visit Windsor, VT, but the route afterwards was not planned, and would be dependent on our valuable time. However, there was time to head towards the Green Mountains by way of lesser used highways, and hence our 'arrival' in (or near) Plymouth.
Calvin Coolidge was the 30th President of the United States, from 1923 until 1929. Born in Plymouth, Vermont, on July 4, 1872, Coolidge was the son of a village storekeeper. He was graduated from Amherst College with honors, and entered law and politics in Northampton, Massachusetts. He slowly ascended the political ladder from councilman in Northampton to Governor of Massachusetts, as a Republican. He died on January 5th, 1933.
Written Apr 28, 2004
Favorite thing: The town of Windsor is located in southeast Vermont, on the Connecticut River. It has a population of about 5,000. First chartered in 1`761 by Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire, settled in 1764, and rechartered in 1772 by New York Colony. The convenition that adopted a consitution and organised Vermont as an independent state (under that name) was held here in July, 1777, and in 1778 the first legislature met in the town.
Machinery and rubber products are made here. Old Constitution House has been restored as an Inn.
Written Apr 28, 2004
Favorite thing: Having made a little error in our navigation whilst in New Hampshire, we went rather too far south, and spent the night in a not so nice Motel in Concord. We should have cut across country from the White Mountains, and headed towards (say)Lebanon, but it was getting late, and we were anxious to find a room before it got too dark. So, in the morning, we had to head back up Freeway 89 towards Lebanon, turning Eastwards at lake Sunapee (another place we would have liked to have seen).
We soon found ourselves at 'home' in Cornish City, on the line with Vermont.
Fondest memory: The Covered Bridge here between Cornish, New Hampshire, and Windsor, Vermont, is the longest covered bridge in the United States. It is also the longest covered bridge, with two lanes (for traffic) in the World! Unlike many covered bridges, this one is in constant daily use to connect the two towns.
Written Apr 28, 2004
Favorite thing: The first white man known to have entered the area that is now Vermont was Samuel de Champlain, who, after beginning the colonization of Quebec, journeyed south with a Huron war party in 1609 to the beautiful lake to which he gave his name. In 1666 the French built a fort on the Isle la Motte in Lake Champlain. However, this and later French settlements were abandoned, and until well into the 18th Century, the region was something of a no man's land.
Fort Dummer, built (in 1724) by the English near the site of Brattleboro to protect settlers from Indians, is considered to be the first permanent settlement in what is now Vermont.
Written Apr 28, 2004
Favorite thing: Plan to visit Vermont during peak fall foliage. I'm sure it's beautiful at other times of year as well, and probably a lot less crowded, but the beautiful color of the leaves at this time of year is really special.
Fondest memory: Kris and I have been friends for a long time. She was an ex-girlfriend's best friend and managed to stay close to both of us through our breakup. We had wanted to do a trip together for a long time and finally we jumped on a long weekend camping trip to Vermont to check out the fall foliage. It was a meager year for the leaves coloring due to lack of rain in the spring but we had managed to squeeze in a few hikes and of course sample the local brews. The best place had been McNeil's in Brattleboro, just as we entered the southern portion of the state. We had loved the old wooden interior, great house-made beers, and the cool and friendly alternative clientele. After doing some more touring around the state, we were headed back to New Jersey, coming down through the Adirondacks of New York State but I just couldn't get McNeil's out of my mind. I joked that we should go back over for one more beer before going home, even though it was clearly not on our way. Kris said she wouldn't complain. After all, I was driving. So, I let the Honda take its natural course, that always being towards the best brewery in the area and before we knew it, we were back in Brattleboro, sucking down the McNeil nectars. Getting back to New Jersey would be our next problem, but that would have to wait until we had another beer.
Updated Dec 8, 2003
Favorite thing: I can't say there's one particular thing I love about Vermont...it's a different world from where I live, more relaxed and laid back. Check this website for more information on things to do and see. www.vermont.com
Fondest memory: The mountains, I love mountains!
Written Aug 3, 2003
Favorite thing: Vermont was named for the thing that endures most in your memory when you leave - green mountains.
The half million population of Vermont enjoy life in one of the most pleasant states I have visited. It does not have brash and bustling cities, or a single beach - just endless verdant pasture, lowlands, hills, lakes and charm. It is true that some days nothing of world consequence happens here - but if that is what you want to escape to on your holiday - Vermont is the place to come.
"leaf peeping"- an obsession with watching nature turn this land through every shade of red, yellow, brown, gold, amber that you can imagine. Fall is simply spectacular - if you come, be prepared to peep the same leaf at the same time as someone else - it gets jam-packed. Worth it to be sure - but very expensive.
The rest of the year offers everything from pleasant summers to some of the best skiing in the USA.
Vermont is small, barely 150 miles by 90 miles maximum - you can enjoy a good share of isolation. Outdoor pursuits dominate the agenda from hiking to biking to sailing to trailing.
Here are the places I liked the most : -
Appalachian Trail - made famous by Bill Bryson in "A Walk in the Woods" - one of America's great walking trails - take a few steps and imagine the hardship and rewards of a through-hiker when he or she completes the thousands of miles.
Ben and Jerry's - a legend in their own lifetimes and perhaps Vermont's most famous output - yummy ice-cream -take the tour for $2 I think and get free calories at the end. Their story is both insightful and a little inspiring. Did you know every carton is made from recycled paper?
Burlington - a pleasant town on lake - with watersports and cruises, some nighttime atmosphere, pleasant shopping & eating outdoors in summer.
Woodstock - as reviewed by another in this category
Killington for the skiers - ski & apres-ski galore?
Stowe - didn't get here but others tell me it is great set up in the mountains.
Fondest memory: Commenting on any state in a manageable bite of text is challenging. But to repeat my opening intimation -come to Vermont to escape the hum of city-life and fin tranquillity, access to nature and activities that complement such setting.
Updated Apr 8, 2003
Favorite thing: I borrowed Clara Reed from Vermont's site.
Vermont was a very comfortable place to visit, when venturing out in the evening we were never uncomfortable about driving in any part of the City of Burlington. The highways (they call turnpikes) are perfectly maintained, even the country roads are well cared for.
I will miss seeing the beautiful autumn colors and the country feel everywhere you go.
Fondest memory: Everyone in Vermont was so friendly. We needed driving directions in Burlington and twice we escorted by car to our destination.
The Vermonters are so willing to be of service and it's done with a smile.
Updated Nov 19, 2002
Favorite thing: In years past I drove through Vermont on my way to the sea shore at Wells Beach in Maine nearly every week-end in the summer months. We left our tent and camping equipment installed and would leave Montreal Fri. at 5pm. and arrive at our camp site around 11pm. This was not bad on long week-ends but just for a Sat. and Sun. it was rough. We did it for the beach time and the great restaurants. We also would spend our 2 week summer vacation there as well. 'This trip' we travelled in an organized tour to see the Pratt Family Lodge in Vermont and have dinner there.
Fondest memory: We travelled on the scenic roads and saw the farms, mountains, villages and the autumn colors.
Written Feb 25, 2003
Favorite thing: Try to go to Vermont in autumn as it is the most beautiful time !!! Foliage is wonderful, going from yellow to dark red. Generally speaking, Vermont (especially the northern part) is a very beautiful to go, with hilly sceneries, forests and uncrowded places.
LAKE CHAMBLAIN area wasn't as great as I was expecting. BURLINGTON the largest city in the state is actually the only place where you'll find malls and all amenities. Being only 35000 inhabitants, it's a very very big city for locals...
South of Burlington is located SHELBURNE, where there is a very interesting open-air museum if you are into American history (very big place...lots of walking).
MONTPELIER is the state capital, very small town, but worth to go since the Capitol is really great, with gold over the roof.
For great sceneries, go to STOWE Mountain area (north-west of Montpelier), catch a gondola to the top of the mountain, and look at the great panorama.
I drove through southern Vermont on the way to Massachussetts but I didn't find the are very attractive, except a very beautiful city called BENNINGTON. There's an obelisk in a park, surrounded by large trees which in autunmn (of course) offer wonderful colours. The city itself is pleasant.
Fondest memory: Driving on Vermont countryside roads, very few traffic, lots of nature to enjoy.
Written Sep 12, 2002
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