Vermont V: Lincoln and the Glassblowers (Killington to Manchester 9/4/23)

 

Dave and I wandered south, on September 4, 2023, down long, narrow country roads.  We visited the beautiful town of Woodstock, Vermont, where the Simon Pearce glassblowing factory and show room is located.

The glassblowing factory is located on a stream, above a waterfall.  Originally, water was used for power.

 Downstairs, two glass blowers turned out 50 to 60 items apiece each day. 

Upstairs, small and large blown glass items were on display. Very luckily for us, there was an area in which the items were half price. Dave and I bought two large glass serving bowls and had them shipped back to Salt Lake. 

 

We also spent time just wandering around this beautiful town. We stopped at a Vermont flannel shop, where Dave searched for a flannel shirt.

 

We then drove to Quechee, nearby, to see the Quechee Gorge. It was advertised as Vermont’s “little Grand Canyon.” It certainly was not as deep and majestic as the Grand Canyon in Utah and Arizona, but it was beautiful. 

At the Quechee state park visitors center, we paused for a display and demonstration of handmade musical instruments.  It reminded me of the crafts of Appalachia.

We then crossed the street to order maple-flavored creamies at a takeout stand. That is an iconic Vermont dessert.

Another highlight of the day was visiting an actual maple syrup collection center and factory. We wandered up the hill to see trees hooked to plastic lines which carried sap into collection bins.

 We walked through a maple syrup production shed, in which large quantities of sap are boiled down into small quantities of maple syrup.

At the store, we tasted different grades of maple syrup and then bought both syrup and jam.

 We also visited the summer home of Robert Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln.  I didn't realize he became a wealthy businessman and was even urged to run for president, but declined.  Both the home and gardens were magnificent.

One of the displays at Robert Lincoln's home was his father's top hat, so iconic of that revered president.

Our hotel on September 4 was the best of the trip. We stayed at Hill Farm at.Sagra.  It was a farmhouse with eight or nine rooms, elegantly decorated. “I gave you the best room,” the clerk told us when we arrived at four in the afternoon. It had a large, four-poster bed and windows on two sides of the bedroom, looking out at the swimming pool and green fields beyond. We were encouraged to wander out to see the barns and animals, including llamas and “two very friendly cats.” Instead, we just enjoyed being in that beautifully decorated room.

In the morning, before heading back to Boston, we ate a big breakfast of blueberry pancakes.