Adventure 547: Chester to Grafton and Back/Post U

This hillside was completely green when we arrived.

After four days in Vermont (Minus Monday because of rain and vehicle repair), we've ridden a total of 91 miles. Yesterday, our weather was warm, bright, and windless. Today, our weather was cool, windless, and overcast, and  we completed the 28 mile loop beginning in Chester in relative bliss. In our eight trips to Vermont, we've done this ride six times. It includes iconic dirt roads through classically bucolic countryside, two covered bridges, a stop in the most popular village in Vermont (Grafton), a few hard climbs and a couple of thrilling descents. Today's trip was marred a bit by road work along Pleasant Valley Road, which usually offers just what it's named. Today, most of the seven miles we rode on Pleasant Valley Road involved "scarified" pavement, which is pavement that's been chewed into grooves (cyclists beware) in preparation for fresh pavement. The good news is that only one lane was chewed, and traffic was so light we were able to ride on the wrong side of the road, only occasionally darting off the side to avoid on coming traffic. Eventually, we arrived for a nice warming lunch in Grafton, and were back at the lake house by 4:30. Deb and Judy had prepared beef stew before we left this morning, and left it to simmer slowly in the oven while we were away. The aroma of the stew filled the cabin with unbelievably inviting comfort the moment we walked in. Deb, in her inimitable way, then whipped up a "from scratch" batch of corn bread. We dined heartily, and when the meal was finished, I think all of us let out a collective sigh that said, in effect, "Life is good, especially today".

 I was afraid, that's for sure and certain.

 We call this grooved pavement out West.

Me and my Bunny outside of Grafton, VT.

 Another of the quaint Vermont country stores where good cheer, good food, and usually a warm stove awaits fall visitors.

 The biker babes ready to set out from Chester this morning.

 Frank taking a short break.

 Fall color literally drips from the leaves.

Quite often, travelers will come across a stand selling fruit,eggs, and such (On the honor system, of course).

 Covered bridges offer much of Vermont's charm.

 Some, like this one, even have completely wooden floor boards.

 Leaves also simply glow.

 We enjoyed this magnificent view at dinner tonight.

Adventure 546: Vermont Perfect/Post T

If you've ever wondered what we're here for, consider Annie Dillard's answer:

"We are here to bring to consciousness the beauty and power that are around us and to praise the people who are here with us."

Let the photos speak:

 Johnny's smile upon hearing that Tony had fixed his car.

 PP&J snack at the Downer's Bridge stop.

 Counter balance: A sadly suspicious view.

 The crew gathered at one of the junctions.

 Francuah and Deb preparing the Vermont sausages.

 Hot, sweet, chicken.

 Pre-dinner selfie.

 The house swan spreading its wings to cool.

 TW aglow  just before S'MORES.

 Johnny discovering the joy of burnt mallow. The glow of our rented space in the background.

 Tony examining Johnny's car.

 The crew post S'MORES.

 Each day the colors present themselves a bit more.

 A quintessential Vermont dirt road.

 My Bunny.

 Downer's bridge: nearly a tradition we've been here so many times.

 A leaf falls.

 In no way can the camera capture this: come see for yourself.

 Churches are mostly white ib Vermont. Brick buildings are rare.

Just South of our rented cabin.  The view from the red bridge.

Adventure 545: Rainy Day Hopes/Post S

Today's rain. More color tomorrow.

It's a hard rain gonna fall, and it did all day. Johnny, Ed, and Frank took the opportunity to make fast friends with Tony, the local mechanic. At first he hemmed and hawed, muttering something about being just a two man shop. By the end of the day (Johnny thinks he felt sorry for us), Tony had Frank's tire fixed, had found and ordered a replacement air conditioning unit for Johnny's car, and made time in his schedule tomorrow (Hopefully, the part will arrive) for the repair. So, we all ended the day with "High Hopes". This fit right in with mine, Judy, and Deb's day. We watched a few episodes of Anne with an E, which still brings me to tears with its tenderness. One line that stuck with me was this: "The painful eagerness of unfed hope". Like Anne, I'm ever hopeful, I feed mine constantly. I find that to be a good thing in these life and times. Without hope, I'd spend my days ravaged by despair, crushed by cruelty, and paralyzed with fear. I can't bear the thought.  Beyond that, the language of Anne with an E is so inspiring, so melodic, so emotive, it puts joy in my heart, spark in my soul, and builds my faith utterance by utterance. So listen and enjoy a few delicious quotes from Jane Eyre:

"I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils."

And that's how it should be. Be strong, be of good cheer, face the peril as courage brings all joy.

And then there is what Helen Burns says:

"Life appears to me to be too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs."

Hear, hear, walk in another's shoes, treat those as you would want to be treated. 

It's truly all just poetry if we let it be heard:

"Night was come, and her planets were risen: a safe, still night: too serene for the companionship of fear. We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us; and it is in the unclouded night-sky, where His worlds wheel their silent course, that we read clearest His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence."

 One of the most endearing parts of Vermont is the country store like this one in Tyson.

 The first cribbage game. Frank treated us to a skunk.

 Deb and Ed in a planning session.

 A venerable stove in the Tyson store. Please don't touch.

Even untended, the apples bloom in hopes of spreading their sweet fruit among us. 

Adventure 544: Proctorville Ride/Post R

Art shot of the day.

Undaunted by the overcast day, the threat of rain, and the sub forty degree temperatures, we six intrepid bikers, (four dudes and two babes), headed out for our second Vermont ride of this trip. We've done part of this route on prior visits to Vermont. It's a mixture of of paved riding and a good dose of Vermont's hard packed dirt roads. The gray day lessened the contrast of the scenery so reflection was at a minimum.. Nonetheless, we traversed the twenty miles without incident. Steady rain is promised tomorrow, so we'll begin solving out transportation problems. Frank's car problem is merely removing a screw from his front left tire, which should be easy. Johnny's twenty-one year old car is another issue altogether. Ed, Johnny, and Frank will be on the mechanic's doorstep when he opens up in the morning. Once we know more, we'll make further plans. In the meantime, we're enjoying this exquisite lake home. We took showers after the ride. Deb made a tray of munchies to hold us over until dinner. We all did different things. Frank had a little work to catch up on. Judy knitted a few rows on her latest project for our new grandson who is due to arrive the first of December. I snuggled in with a book as did Deb. Johnny, and then Frank, loyal local fans, cheered the Patriots to another victory. Judy took on dinner chores, and produced a fine pot of tortellini soup along with toasted French bread smothered with sautéed mushrooms. In short, we were fortunately able to say once again, "Life is good, especially today".

 We've enjoyed this fine bakery in Proctorville a time or two before.

 I chose the liquid bread from the Outer Limits Brewery across the street.

Selfie of the day.

Johnny and Frank outside the bakery suggested we go to the Brewery instead.

Not Judy. She bought treats and some bread for dinner.

Ed carrying speed.

Johnny following.

Frank not too far behind.

Judy's bread and mushroom invention.

The bread matched this trolling soup quite nicely.

Ed doesn't cook, but he is official "dish boy".