Green Vermont

September 14, 2015

Vermont is Black Bear Country

"There's a bear!" That was Cheri's exclamation as we were driving on a dirt road through the mountains of Vermont. It was right there on the road in front of us. We had been looking for bears in Yellowstone, Glacier and many of our earlier stops, but it was here in Vermont, when we weren't looking for one that suddenly a bear appears. It was a big black bear, and as soon as it saw us coming, it scurried back into the woods and disappeared.

Visiting Vermont is always a treat. I've been here before on consulting trips, but this is the first time for Cheri. The Green Mountains are charming - rolling green hills. We camped in the middle of the mountains with rolling hills all around us. Satch and Bebop loved running on the wide open spaces in the hills.

Montpelier, Vermont

Montpelier is Vermont's state capital - a town of less than 8,000 people, making it the least populated state capital in the nation. We went to the farmer's market and bought some fresh organic fruits and veggies. Cheri loved shopping in the downtown district. I stopped by and visited The Point, an independently-owned radio station that covers much of Vermont. My friend Zeb Norris is the program director. We had the pleasure of visiting the new home of Zeb and Deb in the mountains outside of town.

Bohemian Bakery

Sweets in the garden

Also located out in the mountains is the Bohemian Bakery. It's located on a dirt mountain road out in the middle of nowhere. You drive for fifteen minutes on the dirt roads to get to it, and the baked goods are truly inspired. It is run by Annie Bakst and Robert Hunt, who have an amazing talent of creative baking. Zeb and Deb have known them since arriving in Vermont almost ten years ago. We all went and enjoyed fresh croissants, sweets and cappuccinos on Sunday. We sat out in their picturesque garden. By the way, if you want to go to this bakery, be aware - they're only open four hours a week, on Sundays from 10 to 2.

Dirt roads are common through the mountains of Vermont. Only the major state and US highways are paved. The dirt roads are maintained fairly well, although we did come across some washboard. Zeb tells me that after the winter thaw, the dirt roads become mud roads, which makes traveling slightly challenging.

Stocked up on the real deal

Of course, when you think of Vermont, you think of Maple Syrup. And we made the pilgrimage to a maple store to buy fresh maple syrup. We stocked up with the darker varieties, which have much stronger flavor. Vermont maple syrup is the real deal. And, it's good for you! The maple stores also sell a soft ice cream delight called a "Cremie" featuring maple ice cream. Oh my.

Once again, we leave much too soon. We absolutely loved being in Vermont. It's been a wonderful time visiting all the upper Northeastern states. Now, we start our trek Southward. Next stop - Massachusetts.