Vermont!!! Back in the USA again!

We had the music playing and I was singing and dancing with Norman!

 Well we are back in the states again.  Its only a few hours from Quebec but there is something about being home in your own country!  The border crossing was a breeze and we settled in at our campground called Lone Pine.  We set up camp and headed into downtown Burlington to walk down Church street the local hangout for dinner and local music.  We were not disappointed when we got their either.  There were several street musicians playing anything from the guitar to an accordion and even a didgeridoo, which I found to be quite interesting.  The guy playing the didgeridoo was a one man band sitting on a box that was actually an acoustical bass box which he tapped with his hand and a tambourine on his shoe. I sat and listened for several songs and you could really see how this area is a local favorite.  We brought our form of entertainment with Norman!  Many people stopped us to ask what type of dog Norman is and so on.

The next morning, we went to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and took a short tour for the kids.  Bryson ended up buying a teddy bear with a little coaching from Kaylee of course.  The rest of the day was spent running errands.  The next day, we also spent running errands, and doing normal everyday stuff.  Sometimes you just want to do that normal everyday stuff.  We did decide to stop at Friendly's for lunch, because Karen has been telling me about it everytime we pass one.  She used to go there as a kid with her friends.   Kaylee and Bryson loved it.  Friendly's has all there favorites, from mozzerlla sticks to Mac and Cheese and a kids meal includes an ice cream dessert.  Lunch was experience on its own. 

The following day we spent mulling around the campground until afternoon  and I decided to go to a local swimming hole to just get out and do something.  It was an amazing place to go swimming with waterfalls and deep swimming holes all carved out of the granite mountain side. The water was cool, clear and quite refreshing ,after all it was 95 degrees out. We planned on staying there for a while except for one thing! Norman!  Norman was so worked up about all the jumping and splashing he couldn't stop howling and we had to cut the trip short. Poor Karen spent the whole time trying to get Norman to be quiet and never had a chance to swim.  The next day we drove to New Hampshire to visit the Franconian Notch and the Flume, two well known attractions in the heart of ski country.

While driving to New Hampshire I stopped at a small gas station to fill up with diesel and use the restroom.  While walking through the gas station I found several pints of raspberries picked by a local elderly lady. I scooped up a pint which Karen and the kids gobbled up in no time.  Upon arrival we found out Norman was not allowed in either place, so Karen and Kaylee waited for Bryson and I to go to the top of the Mountain via a gondola, at Franconian Notch.  From there we drove to the Flume and I took the kids once again while Karen waited outside.  The Flume is a river that runs through very large granite walls on either side and has a nice 1-1/2 mile trail and stair case that runs right up the side of the river/waterfall.  On the top of the waterfall the kids and I took our shoes off and sat there with our feet in the water! 

The next morning, we drove into Stowe to see the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory and take the tour. While at Ben and Jerry's I spotted my next barbecue grill!  It was a portable brick oven that they were cooking pizzas in!  I think one would make a nice addition to the back porch of our house when we get home!  I'm sure I can search google for some plans to build one. After leaving Ben and Jerry's  we headed deeper into Stowe looking for some of the maple sugar houses and a local Alpine slide.  This time I let Karen and Bryson go down the Alpine slide because Kaylee really didn't want to go on it and Karen sat out all the activities the day before.  After the slide we found a local sugar house that makes maple syrup and we took a small tour to learn how they make maple sugar. Real maple sugar is definitely an acquired taste!  I think our family is going to stick to the imitation Log Cabin syrup.  Last stop, another trip to the swimming hole, without Norman!  The weather was hot and water was cool and we had a great time!  All in all we really enjoyed Vermont and now its time to head to Lake George in upstate New York!