Vermont Inn 2017

Vermont Inn

September 2017

          Another of our online voucher B & B getaways, taking us back to Vermont. Some end-of-summer relaxation after Marjorie’s 7^th year at the Stockade Art Show on Saturday 9/9, joined by artist friends Betty and George & Mary. A lovely day, and Marjorie sells a personal-best 12 pieces. 

That night we get to see the nice new digs for our nearby Curtain Call Theater. Producers Carol & Peter Max are so deservedly proud of the beautiful new space  ̶  theater, lounge, ample parking  ̶  and some of our favorite actors (Jack Fallon, Barbara Richards) are helping out for the evening reception.

Sunday we head east to Williamstown MA to meet up with friends Carol and Jim. We join Carol for 10:30 Mass at Sts. Patrick and Raphael, but not until Marjorie finds some picture frames in the leftovers from a big “tag sale” (that seems to be New England lingo for “garage sale”). A pretty church (tho dwarfed by nearby Congregational and Episcopal churches). Observations by this choir member (who’s missing the 1^st Mass today with our new choir director!): only 4 members of the choir here (vs. some 40 at St. Pius) and the congregation sings all the verses (vs. our move-things-along Fr. Walsh). 

After brunch at Tunnel City Coffee we head to Jim’s not-yet-open antique shop (he already has 2 in nearby North Adams). An incredible array of stuff! And he happily adds some of Marjorie’s “assemblage” artwork into the mix.

          A short drive then north to Bennington, passing lots of pumpkins in fields and farm stands. A stop at Robert Frost’s farm, but closed so we can only walk around the grounds a bit. 

That gives us time for a very enjoyable stop at the Park-McCullough House. A “Wow!” from Marjorie as we drive up to the beautiful house with furnished playhouse on the front lawn. Greeted by a woman who’s quite delighted to have us stop in for a tour. And it’s a very interesting tour by docent Brandy. The house was built in 1864-65 from lots of money earned as lawyer/investor fees (ill-gotten gains?) during the California Gold Rush. The grounds include a carriage barn used for weddings. 

       We continue about 15 miles further north to Arlington and our West Mountain Inn, nestled on 150 mountainside acres overlooking the Battenkill Valley. Originally built as a farmhouse in 1809, there was later a gristmill and then a lumber mill on the Battenkill River below. Transformed into an elegant summer estate, then an arts and retreat center, before becoming a country inn with bike loops, hiking trails, and spaces for weddings (they’ve just had one). 14 guest rooms in the Main Inn plus dining room, living room, tavern, library and game area; other rooms in a Millhouse and cottage below. A beautiful setting! A row of Adirondack chairs in front with mountains in the distance. 

We’re in the 2^nd- floor “Robert Frost” room with a Queen sleigh bed and a sitting porch overlooking gardens, an alpaca barn, and mountains beyond. Some nice extra touches: a big jar of chocolate-chip cookies kept supplied by the coffee pot, a small African violet in the room to take home. 

          After chatting with some fellow guests, including another Marjorie and a woman we met earlier at Park-McCullough, the hungry travelers settle in for dinner. Chef Jeff Scott “prepares delicious New England fare with only the best seasonal ingredients” from local farms and food producers belonging to the Vermont Fresh Network. Excellent meals of butternut squash ravioli and almond-encrusted chicken. We’re briefly greeted by friendly House Dog Luna. Early to bed, some interruptions by squeaky floors  ̶  it’s an old house, after all! 

  

        As usual, I’m up very early Monday AM. Chilly and very foggy, the latter meaning good photo ops. A short drive takes me to pretty West Arlington Covered Bridge over the Battenkill and nearby Chapel on the Green. 

Back to the Inn to wander the grounds: a flock of turkeys on one trail, a couple alpacas eyeing me curiously from the barn. 

 

Marjorie joins me for breakfast, starting with cinnamon buns and small muffins, then a number of choices; we opt for omelet and pancakes. We can hear taps from the TV, a remembrance of 9/11/01, amid the coverage of Hurricane Irma hitting Florida today.

   Afterwards we gather up some apples from the ground to entice the 4 resident alpacas out of the barn. 

Then strolling some of the trails thru dense forest, maples and pines that almost seem to be growing out of each other, mosses and ferns below. The fog is burning off, to be followed by bright sunshine and temps up to the mid-70s.

          We drive about 10 miles north to Manchester. [Flashbacks to our stay here in October 1987 when we were stranded on the highway by a freak early fall snowstorm that brought down trees and took out power.] Thru the pretty town to the Southern Vermont Arts Center, interesting sculptures along the entry road. But the galleries are closed! 

Nevertheless, we persist . . . and turn into nearby Hildene, another unplanned stop that proves quite beautiful and much more than expected over several hours. 

 This was the home of Robert Lincoln, the only child of Abraham & Mary Todd to survive to adulthood. We start our touring with the Welcome Center, which includes a nicely done exhibit on the Civil War and slavery; we learn, for example, that slaves made up 1/8^th of the population, and a map shows how they were distributed geographically. 

Then to the beautiful house, docents showing us the various rooms, and a formal garden with mountain views. 

Trams then take us to other parts of the estate; tram-lover Marjorie pronounces this place “Tramtastic!” There’s a beautifully-restored Pullman car (Robert had been President of Pullman), with interesting history related to labor relations and the circumstances of Black Pullman porters. 

We also pass extensive maple sugaring tap lines, a goat farm for milk & cheese, and a farm under development (we don’t walk around after hearing reports of wasps swarming here). Hildene is a serendipitous highlight! 

          Continuing on to nearby Equinox Valley Nursery. A Halloween mood: colorful mums & pumpkins, lots of scarecrow-type figures from ghosts to a 9/11 memorial. Marjorie buys some small pretty chili plants. 

We pass on Village Peddler on the way to Chiselville Covered Bridge over Roaring Branch Brook. Sugar Shack offers a surprisingly interesting Norman Rockwell exhibit. He had a home in Arlington; the exhibit includes his “Arlington years” (1939-1953), as well as some paintings done in Albany & Troy. We also share tasty “maple creemee” ice cream.

   

  A drive back to my morning bridge and chapel venue to show Marjorie. Along the way we pass several groups of men, some in robes, walking along the road. Seems like something, but don’t know what. Back to the Inn, Marjorie relaxes while I explore some trails through the pretty trees, moss, and ferns. Back up to Manchester for dinner at local favorite Christo’s Pizza and Pasta, seated next to a friendly piano player. Back to the inn with pretty lighting at night.

         

Another foggy AM Tuesday. We follow a driving tour provided by the Inn to Henry, Silk Road, and Paper Mill Village Covered Bridges.

Pretty views as the fog lifts and sun shows thru; it will be another beautiful sunny day! A brief swing into the Bennington College campus. Looks expensive! We pass by painted mountain lions & moose and “Big Boy’s Toys,” an “automotive specialty store.”  

Back to the Inn for breakfast. Adventurous Marjorie opts for “Ooey Gooey”: “eggs smothered with melted Vermont cheddar over Aunt Min’s Swedish rye with a touch of mayo.” Cinnamon French toast for me. Topped off by shared apple crisp a la mode. Life is good! A stop at Miles Lumber Co.; no child-size apparel, but they give us a company logo t-shirt grandson Miles can use as a nightshirt. One more stop at Clear Brook Farm to get corn for tonight, then on home.

          A very enjoyable mix of pretty sights, interesting tours, good food, and relaxation.