Vermont - Day 3

Our last full day in Vermont we kind of just winged it. I really wanted to go to the Champlain Islands. In my mind, they were going to be wild and wonderful, sparsely populated, with moose abundant and winding roads that gave you gorgeous views of the water.

I was wrong.

It's probably the most populated area of Vermont. I saw more houses per square mile than in and around Smuggler's Notch. Apparently the islands are a center for ice fishing in the winter and water sports during the summer. The islands are South Hero, Grand Isle, North Hero, and Isle La Motte. From what we explored, there are a few apple orchards, a couple of places to eat, marinas, and some wildlife. We stumbled across two foxes crossing the road within two minutes of each other, and we helped a turtle make it across the road. Other than that, we mostly drove around to see what there was to see. There is everything from expansive farmland to quaint lake houses, but it just didn't meet the expectation I had in my mind. Plus, it was overcast on our day up there. If we had brought our fishing equipment, a stop at one of the parks on the island probably would have been arranged.

After spending the morning driving around, we decided to head back down to Burlington to "bar hop." I feel like I should note, for all of my conservative friends who may stumble across this, that the beer scene for me isn't about getting drunk. Drinking alcohol has never been about that, for me. I enjoy the creativity and passion that others have for what they do, even if that means making cheeses, weaving baskets, or harvesting maple syrup. Tasting the flavors of beer that people come up with by playing around with hops variations or ingredient brightness is something I thoroughly enjoy. So, the last half of this post will be about beer. If you don't agree, then you don't have to read.

We ate at Vermont Pub and Brewery, which makes its own beer in the basement of the restaurant. Apparently when the weather is right, it's perfect to grab a bite and sit outside. Located on College street, it certainly has some interesting views. Because Robby is a porter guy, he got their Lake Champlain Chocolate Stout. It had a delicious chocolate full-bodied flavor that was full, dark, and sweet. I tried their Burly Irish Ale, by recommendation of our waitress. It's one of their most popular, and I can understand why. It was so smooth and easy to drink! With a slight caramel flavor and medium body, it hit the spot. They have so many other ales, and a lot of them sound incredible. They also do experimental batches weekly. Definitely a place to check out if you're in town.

Our next stop was Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, located exclusively in the Burlington American Flatbread. It's right down the street from VPB, so we swung by. Up until about 5 PM, the restaurant only does light fare, but the bar is open. It's an English-style pub setting, and their beers reflect that. Robby tried their Black Cat Porter, and him and I both tried Conehead. The Black Cat was certainly a dark ale, robust in flavor, with coffee and chocolate in the palette. Conehead - I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of IPAs, but this one was amazing. It wasn't very bitter, and to balance out the bitterness of the hops was a strong citrus punch (because they used Citra hops). It was grapefruit all the way, and simply delicious. We really enjoyed conversing with the bartender, Chris (who apparently goes by Steve). He was friendly, and gave us frank opinions on local breweries as well as tips of things to see before we left the area. Out of the breweries we visited, this one was definitely the one that made me feel most at home.

After that, we decided to walk up and down Church Street. They have restaurants and places to shop all up and down the way. Vermont doesn't have taxes on clothing, but, as one of the sales attendants told us, they make up for it in other areas. There are pretty big state, land, and food taxes. But buying a cute pair of socks for what it said on the price tag was reminiscent of Delaware shopping. Church street is a fun destination to just see. Even if you don't want to buy anything, you get a real taste of local life by perusing the shops and people-watching. And, if you do want to shop, you're in luck. You can pick up your "Eat More Kale" bumper sticker and some UVM gear and be good to go!

After our excursions in Downtown Burlington came to a close, we quickly visited Switchback Brewing Company. Unlike Zero Gravity and VPB, we got free samples. When I say we, I mean Robby. I wasn't really interested in trying any more beer at this point. The people here were equally friendly and more than willing to tell you about the story of their company and the stories behind their beers. I did try their Extra Pale Ale, which was designed by the employees themselves and took a couple of years before the company actually decided to brew it. It was a good twist on an IPA, with less bitterness than normal. Switchback is also one of the newer brewing companies that is giving Magic Hat a run for its money.

We also swung into Citizen Cider. I'm a cider gal through and through. If it tastes like apple juice and not beer, I'm for it. What's neat about Citizen Cider is they do all sorts of crazy things with cider that other companies just haven't hit quite as well as they have. You can get a sampler for $6, and pick five to try. I had had a glass of Unified Press, their signature cider, at Zero Gravity and loved it. Think Martinelli's - not as sweet as Angry Orchard, and definitely more dry. Our sampler included bROSé (an off-dry cider fermented with Vermont blueberries), AMERiCRAN (an off-dry cider fermented with local Vermont cranberries), The Dirty Mayor (their cider made with ginger and lemon - tasted JUST LIKE ginger ale), The Full Nelson (A beer-like cider made with Nelson Sauvin hops that reminds you of champgne, an IPA and cider all in one), and Citizen's Cellar special: Pear Wild (an off-dry cider with light notes of pear that's crisp and clean). They are doing some crazy things with cider, but everything we tried was fantastic. I picked up a growler of The Dirty Mayor to take home. I'm a little sad that they only distribute to VT, MA, IL, and NC, so I'm going to stop by my local and see if they'd be willing to order some as a test run. It's just too good to leave up north!

Our last stop was to Fiddlehead Brewing Company just down the road in Shelburne. It's a lot smaller than the other breweries we stopped at, with only two beers on tap when we arrived. The owner was one of the original brewers for Magic Hat, and broke off to start his own. What's interesting, beside their awesome logo, is that it's connected to probably one of the best pizza places I've been to. So, if you stop by, pick up a growler and go next door to order a pizza from Folino's. The pizza place itself is BYOB, and they have a whole fridge stocked with frosty glasses to fill. I wasn't too impressed with the beer itself, but then again, there were only two to try. You get free samples, and I bought a growler for $3. Stay tuned, because I'm going to turn the ones I got into lamps :)

After eating a delicious meal, we headed back to our place. All of these breweries have websites, so definitely check them out if they catch your interest. Vermont is doing some cool things in what they produce, and they're pretty darn good at it. So, if you enjoy good cheese, good beer, or good maple syrup, I would suggest a trip. Overall, my time there was quite enjoyable - it's certainly a state I would move to . . . just maybe for the summers. I'll post my last blog about it tomorrow and give more pointers, tips, and resources for those interested in planning a vacation.

Vermont - Day 2

Our second day in Vermont, we focused most of our energy in Waterbury and Montpelier. We took a great route between Smuggler's Notch and Stowe that's usually closed in the winter. It's winding road goes down to an unmarked one lane curving course with boulders blocking your visibility. It was my boyfriend's dream come true to drive, but as a passenger, it was a little intimidating.

Waterbury is a cute town with popular destinations like Ben and Jerry's, Cabot Creamery Annex, and Green Mountain Coffee. We went to all three of these places and they weren't disappointing. We stopped at Cabot Creamery first and it was awesome. They have all of their cheeses out for you to sample. If you're lactose intolerant, have no fear! Their cheddar cheeses are naturally lactose free, so sample to your heart's content. My personal favorites were the Vermont Cheddar, the Private Stock, and their Artisan Reserve. They suggest serving the cheese at room temperature in order to really savor all of the flavors. And trust me, their cheeses are savory in flavor with lots of complexities and depth. I never considered myself a cheese connoisseur, but I'd like to be one after that! They also have fun flavors like Buffalo Wing, Garlic and Herb, and Smoky Bacon.

Right next door is a Lake Champlain Chocolates store. It's not the original factory that you can tour (that's in Burlington), but they sell pretty much everything that LCC makes. They have a decent selection of fudge, chocolate candies, caramels, hot chocolate, and gift baskets. It's worth swinging around for. I picked up an organic chocolate bar, and it was okay. Growing up on Hershey's, nothing really compares to that - except possibly Cadbury.

A few minutes' drive down the road is Ben and Jerry's. If you get there early enough, you can probably miss the crowds. We came at the brink of it, I think. As we were leaving, which was around 1:00 PM, there were buses full of kids rolling in. It's true what they say about tours filling up quickly. It's a $4 charge, but it's worth it for a tour and a "free" sample at the end. The flavor of the day for us was Cotton Candy . . . and it was delicious. I normally like cotton candy ice cream, but this was better than anything I'd ever had before. Again, though, their factory was like any other you see. A lot of metal objects that mix things together, and package them for mass production. However, it was neat learning about my favorite ice cream flavors and watching the movies that show you how things are done. Ben and Jerry were (and still are) total hippies - and their passion for peace, love, and ice cream is definitely reflected in their business. The people who work there say Jerry stops by a few times during the summer just to see how things are running. We didn't see him, but there's a chance you might be able to if you're there for the warmer months. Apparently Ben is working in DC "trying to save the world." After the tour, there's a gift shop and scoop shop where you can buy to your heart's content. I really wanted to try their signature Vermonster . . . but for $40 a pop, and only two people to eat it, I decided it probably wouldn't be wise after the cheese and chocolate from the stops before. However, you can get a Lil Vermonster for $15. I'll look into it next time around. Also, make sure to stop by their Flavor Graveyard to pay your respects to your retired flavors. I was sad to see one of my favorites, Vermonty Python, there. But at least it had a good spot to rest under the shade of the maple trees.

If you're following your Vermont Brewer's Passport, The Alchemist is also in Waterbury. However, when we stopped, it wasn't open to visitors. I don't really know how you're supposed to get your stamp, but it's right off the main road. They can all of their beer, and I believe their signature brew is The Heady Topper. If you're desperate for a stamp, you can always wait outside until you see someone . . . or probably just give them a call.

We also swung by Green Mountain Coffee. It's in the Waterbury Amtrak Train Station, but it has a neat little museum on Waterbury and also on how GMC gets their coffee. Since it was sold to Keurig, you can stock up on your K-cups while there. They also have free samples of their coffee. I have to admit, they had THE BEST iced coffee I've had to date and the cheapest - just over a dollar! Most certainly worth the trip.

Our last stop was Montpelier. With a population of around 8,000, the capital of Vermont was . . . underwhelming to stay the least. Don't get me wrong, it's Main Street was cute and quaint, very charming. But there doesn't seem to be a lot going on. So, if you're driving to Montpelier with big hopes and dreams, don't get too excited. Our main stop was Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. It's the oldest maple family in existence in Vermont, with more than 3,000 trees on their property producing syrup, and you can tell. It's touristy, and their gift shop is huge, but their maple syrup selection is also quite extensive. You can sample all four grades and see for yourself if you like the real stuff (the brands you get in your grocery store isn't the real thing . . . sorry folks). Not to mention, you can walk around and see how the syrup is tapped from the tree all the way to being brought to your shelf. They also have Maple flavored everything. I was a little disappointed - their creemees weren't as good as Bob's from Burlington. And yes, I had ice cream twice in one day. However, this is your place to stock up on gifts for the family.

Overall, it was a great day. It was relaxing, and hassle-free. I never felt pressed for time or rushed while in Vermont, which was lovely. Everyone seems to just go about their business at their own pace. If I could Montpelier over again, though, I would definitely stop at their State House and probably take a stroll downtown. There are cute bookstores and restaurants that I would've probably enjoyed going into. So, if you see something you want to do, make sure you take the time to do it! :) And if you're not sure, I'm positive that if you asked a local, they'd be more than happy to give you suggestions.

Vermont - Day 1

Our first day in Vermont, we visited Magic Hat Brewery, the University of Vermont, and the Lakeside Boardwalk. Magic Hat Brewing Company essentially started the microbrewery revolution in Vermont. It puts out 400+ bottles a minute and includes 48 beers in its repertoire. You can tour the brewery for free and sample their seasonal and in-house beers on tap afterward. When we went, they had eight beers to sample: Single Chair, Number 9, Circus Boy, Hocus Pocus, Elder Betty (their summer seasonal), Dream Machine, Humdinger, and Big Hundo (their in-house special). You can try four samples for free, but because my boyfriend and I were together, we got to try them all :) It was an interesting experience as Magic Hat's vibe is definitely eclectic. Their tour includes a unique video, and local art adorning their walls as well as music posters from venues they've been featured at. While it was cool sampling their beer and talking with our "bartender," a factory is a factory is a factory. It was neat to see, but it looked like every other factory I've been in.

We went to the University of Vermont next. Burlington has, like, four colleges in its vicinity, which makes for a packed town during the school year. However, we came at just the right time. School had just gotten out and the tourists hadn't come in for the summer, which was wonderful. We felt like locals walking around. The University of Vermont is pretty cool, if you enjoy seeing colleges (which I do). Their bookstore and gift shop is in the Davis Building, which you can see from Route 7, I believe. It was founded by Ethan Allen's brother, Ira, in 1791. If you see the abbreviation UVM around, which you will, it stands for its Latin name, Universitas Viridis Montis - the University of the Green Mountains.

After that, we found a meter along College Street and walked down to the lakefront. It had a neat boardwalk that you can walk along the lake. We grabbed a Maple Creemee from Bob's Ice Cream and admired the Adirondack Mountains of New York from across the way. If you're a local baseball fan, the Vermont Lake Monsters have a tucked away gift shop by the ferry. Look for the green lake monster outside. There is also fun little shopping places a street up. We stayed by the water, but the walk is certainly worth it. People take lunch along the boardwalk, or sunbathe in the commons. There's a bike path, so make sure you keep aware of what's in front and behind you. If you enjoy biking, there's a suggested bike path around Burlington, and bike rentals are all along the water. North Star Sports is probably the most popular. There's also a cool Naval memorial and the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center through UVM. The Burlington Community Boathouse serves as the city's marina, and also has a restaurant, Splash, that serves food and drinks and has excellent views of the sunset over the lake.

Because we started our days around 9 AM, we never really ate in the towns we visited. We made food at our place and saved money that way. There are a lot of cute places to eat in Burlington, so if you'd prefer that route, it would be worth your time. Especially if you enjoy trying new restaurants. After we explored the Lakefront, we went back to Smuggler's Notch. The scenery is stunning, and I never quite got over the views. We didn't really push ourselves the whole time we were there, and we ended up coming back to Burlington on Wednesday. There's a never-ending selection of things to do.

Vermont - 802, Eat More Kale, and Moose Crossings

My most recent and anticipated trip was to Vermont. I hesitate to say the next part because I want to clarify that I'm not rich by any means. Most of the time, I live paycheck to paycheck because I use most of my "free" money on gas in order to do trips like these. The reason we were able to go to Vermont was because my mom has a timeshare that she can use on even-numbered years. This year, she wasn't using all of her points, and if she doesn't use all of them, they don't roll over but simply disappear. So, it was nice that she extended her points to me to use at pretty much any location I could afford to go to. New England has always been a place of mystery for me since, until two summers ago, the furthest north I had traveled to was New York City. So, I decided to pick Vermont. We stayed at Smuggler's Notch Resort, which is more family friendly and definitely at its peak during the winter months. However, overall, ended up being the perfect choice, and here's why:

1. There's a little something for everyone. My boyfriend is a lover of craft breweries and cheese. Vermont has both of those, in abundance. There are over 40 craft breweries alone, and they even have a passport that you can use to get free stuff (as well as free samples - without the passport). Cheese is also a famous product - think Cabot Creamery. Yeah, that's Vermont.
2. Maple Syrup. Homemade. Pretty much at every house along a semi-busy road, available in ice cream flavors (soft serve is called a creemee), cotton candy, hard candy, bacon . . . everything.
3. Small towns - Burlington, one of their biggest towns, is a college town of 45-48,000 normally. With students coming in to the four major colleges in the area (UVM included), it can swell to over 100,000. However, it feels small and quaint most of the time. Montpelier, their capital, is only 8,000 people and it's counted between Montpelier and East Montpelier. You'll definitely feel secluded and at home, if you dig the small town vibe.
4. Outdoor activities abundant. In the winter, skiing and snowboarding is a must. During the summer, Lake Champlain supplies avid opportunities for waterskiing, sailing, and everything else that goes along with water activities. Not to mention, hiking and biking in the mountains. Vermonters are outdoorsy people, so there's usually something to do in nature for all seasons.
5. Local everything. Not only do they have food options for pretty much any preference (almost every restaurant you go to, they have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options), but most of their businesses aim to use local products. They have an open mind to all cultures, lifestyles, and world views, but they are locally centered. It's pretty cool.

I had the Fodor's Guide to New England, which was really helpful in at least giving a starting point for things to do. We had an outline of ideas for every day we were in Vermont, but we ended up finding other cool things to do instead. And, most of our excursions were in the northern part of the state. Because it's New England, there is a lot of history. Most of it is Revolutionary History, and the wars that happened before and after (French and Indian War, the War of 1812, etc.). Since we were only up there for three full days and were on a budget, we didn't see as many historical sights as probably a next trip will warrant, but here are some activities that you can look into depending on your interests. (Read: the things we didn't really see, but maybe will next time - because there will for sure be a next time.)

For Those Who Love History

• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. In Woodstock, it's Vermont's only national park and the first in the US to focus on national resource conservation. It has Billings' mansion and gardens as well as guides that services every hour on the hour. Their website is here. Tours are $8.
• Wilson Castle. In Rutland, it was completed in 1827 and belonged to a Vermonter who married a British aristocrat. It took eight years to build, but is a 32-room mansion that brags 84 stained-glass windows, 13 fireplaces, and hand-painted Italian frescoes. More information can be found at their website. Tours are $10.
• Stephen A. Douglas Museum. In Brandon, about 15 miles northwest of Rutland, the American statesman was born here. If you're interested in his early life, as well as early history of the town and the anti-slavery movement in Vermont, this sounds like a good stop. Free of charge, and open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Information at their website.
• Vermont Museum. In the capital of Montpelier, this museum recounts the 150 years of state history. For $5, you can learn about everything from Ethan Allen to the now extinct catamount. Visit their website for more information. Be sure to check out their State House while in Montpelier. Tours are free, but donations are accepted. You can't miss it - it's a gold-domed structure surrounded by smaller, less memorable buildings.
• Trapp Family Lodge. This is located in Stowe, which is about 22 miles northwest of Montpelier, but was built by the von Trapp family from the Sound of Music. You can take tours, stay there, and during the winter, there is a ski-accessible-only cabin that serves food. There is also the Trapp Lager Brewery with local brews that are worth a try and also on your Vermont Brewers Passport. More information at their website.
• The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum. During the Revolutionary War-era, Ethan Allen was a guerrilla fighter who lived an elaborate life. His house, in Burlington, gives you a look into that life. It costs $5 to tour, and offers scenic hiking trails along the Winooski river. Information can be found here.
• Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Located in Vergennes, this museum is central to Vermont history because its location along Lake Champlain. It's $10 for entry, but it seems like a really fun and educational stop if you enjoy Maritime history. More information can be found at their website.

Because of the length that this post is getting, I'm going to call it quits on things to do and see in Vermont. However, all of my information was from the Fodor's guide I mentioned earlier. You can purchase it at your local bookstore or on Amazon (for cheaper). My other posts on Vermont from here on out will be what we did while we were there, so I hope you enjoy.

Adieu Caribou! xoxo

Baseball and Small Town Charm

Last week, on Father's Day, my boyfriend and I left on our much anticipated Vermont excursion. On the way, and in order to break up the monotony and 10 hour trip can bring, we decided to stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Dating a baseball player and being an avid lover and fan of baseball myself, it was the perfect stop. They had just celebrated 75 years on June 12, and favorites like Cal Ripken, Jr. were there to celebrate. It's a neat stop that's definitely worth the detour. The town's shops along Main Street are all baseball related - bat shops, general stores named after Ty Cobb or Honus Wagner. As soon as you walk up to the building, the stats of the baseball teams are out on a board that gets updated daily. The handrails are even decorated with baseball bats and balls.

We easily spent the two hours on our parking meter in the museum, and even then we felt like we were rushing through everything. There is so much to see and do and read. Just like any other museum, there will be some things that hold your interest more than others. This one, especially, felt interesting from start to finish. Their gift shop, while holding some pricey items, was fantastic too. Because we were pressed for time, we didn't really see much of Cooperstown itself, but there are a lot of fun things to do and see in the area. They have a Youth League Hall of Fame, as well as cool art museums and other beautiful historic sights all placed along Otsego Lake.

If you're looking to go, here is some must-know info for your trip:

• The Hall of Fame Inductions are coming up July 25-28, so start planning ahead or work your visit around this weekend as it will be insane. The inductees for the Class of 2014 are Greg Maddux, Joe Torre, Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas, Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa. The website with more information is here.
• Tickets are $19.50 for adults and it grants you all-day access. Let's say you want to spend as much time as you can there, but you want to grab lunch downtown. They stamp your hand so you can get back in whenever you want to pick up your browsing.
• There are three or four floors all full of memorabilia, information, uniforms . . . you name it. So mentally prepare for a lot of cool stuff.
• Tour guides are available at your convenience, and you'll see them standing around talking with visitors. If you have questions, they're great people to talk to.
• Remember that all pictures should be taken WITHOUT flash. There are some really neat, but really old, pieces that lose preservation with bright flashes of light.
• For more information, visit their website. The people who work there are friendly and willing to offer a helping hand.

Happy traveling! Adieu Caribou! xoxo