I am tired. I can tell by how few pictures I took today. I can also tell by the stupid mistake I just made! I had most all of today's page written, and I hadn't been saving periodically like I usually do, and I accidently "x" ed out of it. I hate when I have to start over... so bear with my less than witty commentary! The first version was hilarious, really. (Ok, not so much, I admit!)
Our first stop was at the Red Mill in Jericho, Vt. They have a museum about William "Snowflake" Bentley. Unfortunately, the museum seemed to not be open. And even the walkway over the creek that allows one to shot an awesome picture of the mill and the water, was also closed. Bentley was the first to prove that every snowflake was unique. He photographed them using a technique called photomicrography. I wanted to see the exhibit, but I guess it was not the day to do that. I am wondering if the person who runs the place was late. It was after 10:00 AM, and they were to open at 10. Oh well! On down the road we traveled.
Riah could hardly wait to get to Lake Champlain Chocolates! After our tour, we were offered three different samples, and the girl allowed us all the chance to have extras as well. They use only fine European chocolate in their candy making, and it was very rich. They were pretty expensive, and we joked once back on the road that for a free tour, our family's samples alone would have cost ten dollars or more retail. Cool tour, and The Boy enjoyed it majorly. He bought a few chocolates to go, and is eager to eat them right now! It's nice to sample and tour cheese and maple stuff, but chocolate was welcome today!
Next it was onto Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. It was a cute tour, and I realized one extra benefit of having a little boy while there. All the little girls on the tour were begging to get a $50.00 teddy bear, where as The Boy was content merely seeing how they were made! He's my little engineer you know! We did have fun seeing the process and the different bears. I took a picture of a little girl hugging her freshly made bear for the first time. It was precious. Little girls are sweeter than Maple Syrup you know. They make heirloom quality bears there. It's a sweet gift if you are looking for a unique present for someone special.
We stopped at the original Dakin Farms. Riah had fun yesterday at the Burlington one, and the original one had a big Maple Syrup jug. Since Riah and I got a picture by the Maple Grove Farms tin, the guys did the jug.
We stopped at Kennedy Brothers Outlet long enough for Riah to play some on the outdoor animals, and on down the road we headed again.
As we crossed the Green Mountain National Forest, I couldn't help but think that while beautiful, I had enjoyed the White Mountains of New Hampshire much more a few days ago. We hiked down to Texas Falls, but Riah had gotten a small cut on a rock and wasn't in the best mood. Yes, my sweet travelin' man has his off moments, like when he is say, bleeding... but you know he is such a good traveler! He really does enjoy this all. It makes me so proud to think of how well behaved and content he is on the road. He has gotten three boo boos this trip though. 1. The ear incident on day 2, 2. A nick on his forehead yesterday when he banged a rock climbing, and 3. The cut from a rock today. He has hiked for days out west and never gotten one scratch, he seems puzzled by why he keeps bleeding in New England! (That was his perception, and observation, not mine!)
We went to an all you can eat seafood buffet for supper. It seemed a good idea since we were hungry, but I remembered vividly while there how much I hate buffets! I would much rather have better food, served to me, in smaller quanities. But, Riah liked what he found, and he ate a huge piece of chocolate cake and ice cream after his meal, and that left him with a big smile. He is off exploring the hotel right now with his Daddy. Tomorrow we head south, and back to Pennsylvania. Be home soon...