Our Stay in Vermont

   Oct 10 - 15 found us at Maple Grove Campground in Fairfax, Vermont. Twas a beautiful ride up through New York State and across just miles from the Canadian border. The foliage of the trees was spectacular not only during the ride but our whole stay there. Even the locals commented how vibrant the colors. Simply beautiful, every where you looked, the oranges, yellows, the reds, and the contrast to the rich green of the Evergreens, well nature pulled all the stops during our visit. The weather was notable as well. Temperatures in the high 60's right into the the low 70's during the day. Nights got chilly but we just threw another blanket on the bed and were fine.
 


 Maple Grove Campground was another win. Small, only about 30 sites terraced on the hill. Mike the owner/manager was very personable: fun, helpful and kept the park well maintained. Another great stop over place if you are planning to be out and about a lot, not many amenities but everything you need. Camp Store, clean bathhouses, relatively level sites, great laundry room with big table for folding and several shelves of books, magazines, and dvds  for borrowing or swapping. We had fun just walking around and playing horseshoes. 

  We went to Vermont to spend time with Paul's Godson Eric, his wife, Miranda and their darling little boy Emmett. Such a lovely couple, we laughed and chatted the whole time together. Emmett, of course stole our hearts, eighteen months of pure joy. They took us to a local Farmer's Market where so much could be had. From Vegis, meats, cheeses, breads, preserves to handcrafted items galore. Lot of fun walking around picking up this and that, part of me couldn't help wishing my place was a bit bigger, there was that much I could have bought. See the money I save by having bought an RV, heheheh. Miranda cooked us several yummy meals using mostly local foods and so tasty. Sunday we headed for the hills and Emmett got to experience his first hike! Gad, I feel special being there for that. He did so well, couldn't believe how long he walked before those little legs tired out and he got to ride on daddy's back. Beautiful park nearby their house with several trails up the hills and through the woods. The trails are used for snowshoeing and skiing in the snowy months.

  Had a delightful, serendipitous experience. Paul and I went for a walk down the road by the campground, traffic was a bit busy for our tastes so turned up a small side road. I must exclaim once again how beautiful the trees and vines. We got to the top of the hill and were just wandering around trying to see if there were any trails, noticing a couple of houses and a business of some sort. On the way we did notice plastic tubing wrapping around the trees and wonder what that was for, came up with several ideas when we hit upon Maple Tree tapping. Of Course. So anyway, this car comes up along side us and we were thinking Uh-Oh are we on private property? But no, he asked if we were there for the tour of his "Sugar Shack"? Umm no, but we could be. He laughed and said he was showing a couple of others the maple syrup process and we were more than welcome to tag along. Yep, count us in!

 Ernie Flanders and his brother retired five years ago to develop Flanders Bros of Vermont. Syrup making had been a family undertaking for 5 generations, so was naturally they wanted to expand and open it open to the public. Their "Sugar House" is a post and beam structure hand built from the trees on their property, and milled on-site. What a beautiful building. They still make the syrup by heating with wood but now instead of on the stove, pot method they have more modern equipment. We learned about the process and got to sample several of their products. Oh my I was in heaven! Each we tasted was yummier then the next. My favorite? Their Wood Fired Bourbon Barrel Syrup that is aged 4-6 months in wooden barrels from Woodford Reserve Distillery. And yes, you can taste the subtle flavor of the bourbon. Even got to pick some apples from the trees outside the building. What a fun, educational way to spend the morning.  When we got back to the campground we had the perfect lunch: Pancakes with fresh apples and Maple Syrup! ummm.

Goes to show when you open yourself up to life, life opens up to you.

See you at the next stop!