One of the nicest things about travelling by car is that you can drive on the slower side roads, not the interstate highways. And in compact New England, where towns and tourist hotspots are so close together, slower is better. You get to stop at beautiful small towns, interesting general stores and hidden away sites. I especially like the houses we see. There are some amazing mansions that Norm often wonders how they can they heat them in the cold winters here?? (On the radio several days running, we heard the announcer give the latest price of heating oil, just like British Columbians hear the loonie-greenback exchange rate. How much it will cost to keep your house cozy is critical information for residents of wintery Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where some two-thirds of homes have oil heat.)
Today we left Greenfield and headed south to Northampton for breakfast. When asking the locals on the street what they would suggest, the Green Bean was highly recommended. I think you can see we agree!
Not only did Norm get fruit but real maple syrup, no extra charge.
Here are some of the houses in Williamsburg. And the picture doesn't show how the house is as long as it is wide. They go way to the back.
Even the churches have the classic Colonial and Georgian style.
In Pittsfield we saw an old convent being demolished. Sad to see the old building disappear.
In Bennington, home to five colleges, you can buy a house for a reasonable price.
Maybe this one is a good deal?
We walked along the Bennington Pathway to find Bennington Pottery.
Bennington was chartered in 1749 and it is here that the Battle of Bennington took place during the Revolutionary War. In 1891 a stone obelisk 306 feet high was built, the tallest human-made structure in Vermont to commemorate the battle. Pottery has been made here for hundreds of years. The store was quite amazing. Just couldn't resist buying myself a gift.
That moose is half in/half out of the window.
Yellow Bunny checking the Bennington mug.
As we headed to Manchester, Vermont as apposed Manchester, New Hampshire, we passed Robert Frost's Stone House, where he lived in the 1920s. A quick u-turn to see it. We got up close but not inside, only open Wed-Sat.
Norm did try to ring the door bell.
A lovely country home (now with a busy highway in front)
Now in Manchester we headed to the North Shire Bookstore, a busy and successful family-owned, independent bookstore started in 1976. Hard to pass by this store without buying a few books and we didn't disappoint.
Pictures tomorrow of where we are spending the night..... But for dinner I suggested a burger at Ye Old Tavern. Oops, not a pub. Once in the door we saw the linen tablecloths with candles and felt under-dressed. I did suggest sneaking out but hey, we're on a holiday, so says Norman. Well it was delicious. Lobster bisque, cranberry fritters with maple butter, blue cheese green salad, fish stew, homemade venison and port wine sausage, mixed fruit sorbet. So good I forgot to take lots of photos but you get the idea.
Came free to the table with homemade bread later.
That's real lobster in the centre.
Ate almost all before I thought about the blog. Oh well, goodnight.
Wow! Doorbell ringing distance from Robert Frost. And, miles to go before you sleep.
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