A Vermont Getaway

With Halloween in the air, and my beloved Crimson Tide on a bye, it was a good time to plan a getaway. We wanted to take a mini-rest from the city so we decided to go to Vermont. Originally, we were going to go to D.C., but changed our minds so we could venture North before the foliage turns into sticks. Ironically, there was a gathering called "The Rally to Restore Sanity" being held in D.C. While we would have appreciated the cause Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert were promoting, we were looking to restore our sanity in a different way.

After we left the city, we decided to take historic Highway Seven which took us through Connecticut and Massachusetts before arriving in Vermont. Here is a nice view of a turn from the journey in Connecticut.



On the way, we found a state park and decided to check it out. We were rewarded with some beautiful scenery.











This was a colorful beauty that Jenn snapped while the car was in motion.



This covered bridge is one of many that are landmarks in the Northeast.



Roadside trees show off their foliage.





It's good to have land.



More fall colors.



Entering Green Mountain National Forest.



Here is the establishment Jenn found online. It was a cozy little place that felt more like a home than a motel. The lady at the front desk was as nice as can possibly be imagined. She handed us our key (It was an actual key and not a card) and let us know about the Halloween bash at the Fat Spy Tavern later in the evening. The whole place is a combination of lodging, a restaurant and a tavern. Describing this place does it absolutely no justice and it deserves it. Check out their website here



This is a view across from the Lodge.




An outside view of the lodge. This round room is located directly outside of the restaurant.



The creek across the street from the Lodge.



I mentioned the Halloween party. We entered the restaurant shortly after 7:00 and sat at the bar to watch football and eat dinner before the Halloween party started. We found that the restaurant featured locally grown gourmet cuisine. I had a grass fed burger that was absolutely delicious. It was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. Jenn went with the portabello mushroom sandwich. It was flavorful and well worth the money. After thoroughly enjoying our meal, we decided to don our impromptu costume purchases.



We stayed around the party for quite a while mingling with the employees and some of the local residents. To say that everyone was nice and accommodating would be an understatement. The hospitality of the establishment is one thing, but combine that with our experience with some of the locals and the trip was well worth it. We wished we could have stayed longer. This place would be great to go to in the winter for ski season or in the summer to do some hiking. If by chance anyone who reads this goes to Vermont and wants to ski, STAY HERE. You won't be disappointed.

Unfortunately, we were only here for a night and had to come back. This is the scene entering the George Washington bridge.



A view form the GW bridge down the Hudson River. The Manhattan skyline is in the background.



And last, we go through Battery Tunnel that connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. I love driving in tunnels like this. It is a test in concentration.



We set out the weekend to get away and recharge. We had no idea we would find such a nice place and again, words can't describe how cool this place was. Again, if you go to Vermont, check out the Stone's Lodge. You will have no regrets.