After our visit to Newport, we hit the road to find Fall Colors! Our first stop was Brattleboro Vermont which was just an overnight spot and a chance to relax for a few minutes. The following morning, after breakfast, we boarded the coach and headed out to try and find some Fall Color with the goal of reaching Weston VT and the Vermont Country Store. Along the way we made a couple of stops, one at Starbucks with a lovely park next to the parking lot. While not everyone on the coach rushed into Starbucks, it was clear the majority were interested in a hot beverage.
The Ashuelot River Park, in Keene Vermont, was a lovely place to wander around for a few minutes while finishing my coffee.
Back on the bus we headed towards the Vermont Country Store. We did stop for some pictures.
We made a stop along the way to take pictures of the fall colors.
Many years ago, when we lived in Cambridge Massachusetts, Janeen worked at an importer of wooden ware – H.A. Mack and Company. The primary focus was the import of wooden ware such as spoons, bowls and lots of other kitchen gadgets. One of the places they sold to was the Vermont Country Store! So we have known about this place for many years – back when the original owner, Vrest Orton. ran the place with his wife Mildred. Since that time, we have received their catalogue every so often and even ordered a thing or two over the years. However, we have never visited the store even though we passed through the area from time to time when we lived in Cambridge.
Started in 1946, the Vermont Country Store in the village of Weston was inspired by childhood memories of his father’s general store in North Calais, Vermont. The Weston store became the first restored rural general store in the nation. Today the place is owned and operated by his son and grandsons – together they are 7th and 8th generation Vermonters. They still adhere to the old-fashion values set by their father and take pride in being the Purveyors of the Practical and Hard-to-Find. When we have looked for something obscure like Necco Wafers for use on gingerbread houses we reach out to them for sure. When Janeen asked for licorice Scottie Dogs, they rushed them up from in back.
Once in the store, it’s clear there is a LOT to choose from. Our stop was to be an hour or so but it could have lasted all day with all the nooks and crannies there were to discover.
I thought we did pretty good getting out only spending $130!
Back on the bus we headed to Woodstock Vermont for a little sight-seeing and lunch. Woodstock is a small town with historic buildings surrounding the central square and considered to be one of the most beautiful little towns in Vermont. Being that it was a beautiful day, and the color was beginning to decorate all the trees, the place was busy to say the least. We finally found a place that had only a 30-minute wait for lunch and enjoyed a nice sandwich on the patio.
When we got back to the bus, we discovered a problem – the rear end of the bus was open and the driver was checking the motor. It seems the fan belt had broken and we weren’t going anywhere for a while!
After further investigation, Karim (the driver) found a belt on board another bus, but then there was still the problem of getting it installed. All he had in the way of tools was a butter knife and a broom handle.
As we were stranded in Woodstock for a while, and we were parked next to the Woodstock Inn & Resort, many of our group went inside for adult beverages and to have a nice place to sit. The Inn was very generous to us given our predicament.
Members of our group enjoying the hospitality of the Woodstock Inn
Terry (our HOA Travel Club person) jumped in and even went so far as to ask the Manager if we might borrow some tools to repair the bus! After a couple of hours, with help from mechanic passengers and borrowed tools, hungry tourists were ready to head to our hotel. Our driver realized he could not get us to the hotel buffet in a timely manner, so negotiated with the boss for a pizza & beer stop en route to the hotel.
We all enjoyed some pizza and beer along the way to our hotel for the evening.
Now off to our hotel where we are staying for two nights!