Day 6 – Lake Placid Thursday 6/10/11
Using the ‘Olympic Byway’ we drove to Lake Placid home of the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. Lake Placid is breath taking beautiful and we stopped for a looked around and had lunch at a little place called ’46 Sandwiches’ thank goodness they were normal and nice, we sat by the lake to enjoy it all. While I was shopping Stephen surprised me by booking into the ‘Golden Arrow Hotel’ right on the Mirror Lake – umm it was a nice surprise.
We walked all afternoon and stopped at a little café and had wine and cheese by a fireplace on the lake just wonderful and stayed until it got dark. With the day being so warm Stephen was only wearing light clothes so we had to make a mad dash back to the hotel as the temperature had dropped down to freezing. We called home changed and went out to dinner. I tried my first Root Beer – not bad.
Dinner: Steak
Stayed overnight in Lake Placid
Day 7 - Burlington Friday 7/10/11
Had breakfast in a little café which overlooked Mirror Lake it was picture perfect and possibly the best coffee yet. Stopped and checked out the Olympic ski jumps and took the gondola up Whiteface Mountain which was used for the Olympic ski run. Views from the top were spectacular and foliage was as good as we have seen so far. Next stop was the ‘High Falls Gorge’ a half mile walk.
Drove onto Port Kent to catch the ferry to Burlington – we then discover our first big mistake – it’s a long weekend in New England. Monday is Columbus Day and there was no accommodation to be found over the weekend. Burlington is a college town with beautiful homes with Victorian architecture. We were hoping to stay at a 1783 B&B but no joy there, apparently this is the most popular weekend of the year and we ended up in a Quality Inn in Colchester north of Burlington – oh well at least we had a bed.
Friday night in Burlington is a very happening place we checked out the Church Street Markets and saw a taste of Vermont crafts. We ate dinner at Three Tomatoes an Italian Restaurant
Dinner: Three Tomatoes
Accommodation: Quality Inn Colchester
Day 8 – Stowe
Headed north along the scenic route 104 to Stowe, stopped at a Maple Syrup outlet and found the most helpful lady who set us straight on all there was to see and do in the area. Purchased maple syrup, plain and blueberry pancake mix from her – Evie they are the best pancakes!
Found the first covered bridge in our travels.
We passed through Smuggler‘s Knotch which was just beautiful. The roads were windy, narrow and canopied with autumn coloured leaves. We are really getting great views of the colours now.
Drove to the top of Mt Mansfield (approx 4,000 ft) part of the Green Mountains the views were spectacular you could see forever, unfortunately the camera could not do it justice. If you were keen you could walk another couple of miles to a higher point, we chose to do this next time we visit.
Stopped at the Vermont Arts and Craft Fair which I enjoyed very much Stephen purchased the biggest bag of popcorn.
Concerned we had nowhere to stay for the night we decided to drive onto Montpelier but there was no accommodation available anywhere and no one could assist us. It was dark and we were starting to think we would be sleeping in the car so we decided to keep going – only a little tension in the air.
And then in the glow of the headlights we saw a sign Hibbard House Inn – “Vacancy”. It was an old family home built in 1822 for Harry Hibbard and all reports say it is haunted. Of course you can image my excitement at the prospect but Stephen was not so sure. Harry Hibbard was active in politics and was close friends with Franklin Pierce (past President) who would visit and stay at the Hibbard home.
Harry died at an early age just 56.
Rick who was minding the B&B had arranged a poker night and Stephen joined in (oh and lost)!
Dinner: Shilo’s
Accommodation: Hibbards Inn
Day 9
Up to an early start (I don’t think Stephen closed his eyes all night) and drove into the White Mountains. We visited Bath which has the oldest general store in America and the longest covered bridge.
Drove through some very pretty and quaint villages, we have found the tourist information and maps very good so getting around is very easy. Found more of 100 hundred covered bridges.
Hiked along rivers and through the beautiful autumn maple trees,
Staying in North Conway, had our first Lobster and New England Clam Chowder dinner.
Stopped at the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves and decided to hike. There were two tracks and we decided to take the trail to the overhang. It was very steep and not very well marked we were climbing up over rocks so we decided to turn back. Stephen took off and when I reached the end of the trail he was nowhere to be seen, I called to him but no response. I decided he must have decided to go along the other trail so I thought I better follow. There was still no sign of Stephen anywhere……….. at this stage I was getting a little distressed. It was some time before we found each other again – major sucking up to be done now.
Stephen lost his debit card today gee he was in fine form and having a good day!
Dinner: Lobster Trap
Accommodation: Cranmore Inn - North Conway
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