By Thomas Best
Last week I returned to the talks I had been offering this fall about my wife’s and my trip to New England last September. We so loved their unique geography and culture. Last week, I described our stops in Bennington and Waterbury, Vermont. This week we will finish up conversations about our explorations in north central Vermont.
On a rainy day in the fall of 2022, we first drove into Stowe, Vermont. The inclement weather diminished the opportunities we had to venture through this most scenic small city. This year, we very much desired to pick up where we left off. Stowe’s picturesque downtown will remind you of our own charming Galena, Illinois; this is, except for the mountains framing Stowe’s storefronts. Quaint small businesses draw you into stores to eat ice cream or drink specialty coffees and teas. Other shops offer a browse through eclectic collections of books, tasty New England fudge, comfy sweaters, and whatever art work would look good back home. Walking around Stowe is like finding yourself in a beautiful postcard.
Outside of Stowe, we made two special stops. First, we went to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill which lies between Waterbury and Stowe. We skipped the tour of the cider making, but focused instead on their spacious gift shop where you can purchase nearly anything that tastes or illustrates cold or warm cider flavors. Their apple cider slushies and cider donuts to jams and jellies were nearly unmatched. The people who work there are very proud of their product and don’t mince words when it comes to declaring that you should buy as much as you can manage to take back home. We later made a trek to a well-known skiing area in which you can ride their ski gondola’s up to the summit of Vermont’s highest peak—Mount Mansfield. The view from the top is stunning. On clear days you can cast your eyes far into the distance across the tree-lined expanse and peer into various northeastern states and even Canada.
Vermont is a place to be absorbed. Whether it is the soft breeze you feel blowing through the valleys of the Green Mountains or the tantalizing taste of their golden-colored pure maple syrup, you won’t imagine never wanting to come back to this green nirvana.
Thank you for listening.
