Monday, November 1, 2010

Adventures in Smuggler's Notch

Last week we took some time off and got some much-needed rest and relaxation at Smuggler's Notch Resort in Vermont.

Even though the leaves were past peak it was still beautiful. It was pretty quiet in the area since the summer season is over and ski season has yet to begin.

Paul and I think Vermont is the most beautiful New England state and have visited many times over the years. This was our first time in Smuggler's Notch and were not disappointed.

Here are some photos taken from the deck of our condo.



Cresting at 2,162 feet is spectacular Smugglers' Notch Pass, a notch notorious during Prohibition as a smuggling route from Canada when our friendly neighbors to the north sent down some of the stuff they thought we Americans were being deprived of. There are little rock caves all over the notch where the illicit booze was hidden. Hikers today are still looking for long-forgotten stashes.

The drive through the notch on the way to the resort was narrow and filled with windy turns with outcroppings of rock everywhere. We woke to a dusting of snow the second morning we were there. It was sunny but cold and breezy. Paul and I decided to take a walk up the road to the notch. We parked the car at the bottom and found this:

Even though it was just a dusting below the Notch, it was reportedly icy up there and we were told the notch road was probably closed for good this year and wouldn't reopen to spring. Bummer! The drive around the notch road to get everywhere was about a 30-minute drive.

We decided to walk up the road to see how close we could get to the Notch before I collapsed in exhaustion. Here are some of the photos taken along the walk.





A vacation wouldn't be complete unless Paul played mountain goat somewhere. There was that time at Grand Canyon when he climbed down along an overlook and swung his arms out like he was falling. Another time he climbed to the top of some hill in Nova Scotia which was straight up. Here's this trip's adventure:







We didn't get very far up the Notch Road before deciding it was just too cold.

Back into the car for a drive. As we drove down the main street of Morrisville this little piece of heaven caught my eye:

I considered dropping in and leaving my card but since I don't hold a license to sell real estate in Vermont I had to pass up the option. Otherwise I would have been all over it.

Here are a few of the random shots I took as we drove along.





11 comments:

Mama-Face said...

wow-so beautiful. I love the east coast. You lucky little traveler. :)

(At first I thought you said Paul played WITH a mountain goat. haha).

BONNIE K said...

So pretty. You should make these into jigsaw puzzles!

Sultan said...

Wow, absolutely beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Splendidly written. I affection to peruse hither pattern and fashion.

Debbie said...

I would so love to go to Vermont one day! Everything about it appeals to me.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Looks like you still caught quite a bit of the beauty. Thanks for taking us along.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Absolutely beautiful. So glad you got to get away for a few days. The pictures are awesome!

Bethany said...

It's gorgeous up there! I miss living in the Northeast :) Although, I really don't miss the longer winters...

sheila said...

STUNNING! I'm so glad I stopped over here today, these are beautiful pics, a real treat!

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures, even if you didn't get to see as much as you wanted. I really can't wait until our kids are all in college or gone, I plan to take a fall vacation each year, I love the colors.
I hope you enjoyed your get-a-way!

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

Absolutely gorgeous! We don't have a real fall in LA and I love living vicariously through NE bloggers :)

Glad I stumbled across yours!

 

Blog Design By Lindsey Joy Design © All Rights Reserved.