Thursday - travel north, very wet

It was raining as we had breakfast and very heavily, this continued all day.
We took a roundabout route to Blueberry Hill. We started in Woodstock and visited a mbee of covered bridges. The Quechee Gorge we saw, impressive and deep. On to Rutland and visited the Norman Rockwell Gallery. An amazing amount of work covering all areas of American life.
Finally the "Maple Syrup Museum". This did clear up the puzzle over why all these trees were connected by tubes and pipes, and the samples were very tasty.
The drive up a long dirt road finally led to The Blueberry Inn. Quite a different evening as a group of American walkers are on their last night and indulging in strange activities.

Halloween - 31st Oct

Have I mentioned Halloween? You would not believe the number or size of pumpkins we see. Not only that almost every house, shop and business has pumpkins outside. Often with scenes and decorations, strange pumpkin figures and so on. Shops full of Halloween stuff. And still a month to go. I'll get some pictures.

Wednesday - Moose, bears and shooting

Appalacian Trail/Long Trail

We decided to walk from the House as we could get to the 'Long Trail' and Applachian Trail. This is part where both trails are together. T-shirt weather, very quiet and enjoyable. A frisson of excitement because bears are around in the area and have been seen recently, as have moose. For a bit of extra thrill we were warned, halfway round Might add, that we should wear some high biz items, so we don't get shot as bears. The bear and squirrel hunting season starts 1st September.
After arriving safely back from an uneventful walk, we went for the all American experience of the launderomat, and dutifully stood and watched the jeans go round.

Tuesday - scenic drive and to Shrewsbury

Paper Mill Bridge

A different breakfast, French toast with drambuie, cream and sausage, as well as the muffins,scones and fruit.
Then off on a circuitous route to our next Inn which is only 40 miles north. We went to The Covered Bridge Museum in Old Bennington. That was fascinating, especially some of the early photos of the bridges, as they were often the lifeline of settlements. We found and drove over three bridges. Robert Frost's stone house was next on the agenda, which considering his stature as one of, if not the leading US poet was all quietly understated.
Onward and up Mount Equinox, via the skyline drive. Unfortunately the top was shrouded in cloud, but we did get some great views lower down.
Just before Shrewsbury we stopped on the Vermount County Store. An old fashioned style store that sells virtually everything, including many things one might have thought weren't even made any more. Everything from snowshoes to cheese, old fashioned sweets to pottery and so on. Great to wander round, especially as they had lots of local produce put to taste. Feeling replete we set off up the mountain to Crisanver House. Worth looking at the website. www.crisanver.com
Unusually we sat down to dinner with 3 other Inntravel couples. A good meal finished off with home made Limoncello.

Monday - Wet walk in the woods

For the first time we woke up to rain. We had decided to go for a walk in Jamaica State Park. We chose to do Hamilton Falls Trail, it was only drizzle when we set off. The Park starts just down the road from the Inn. Initially it goes along what used to be an old rail track. Very pleasant and easy walking beside the West River. There were a few other people on the trail but only 6 or so walkers and a couple on mountain bikes. Although it was misty and still drizzling it was quite atmosperic. At times it was similar to the Keswick railway path, but it always seemed part of a much bigger landscape. On the return we detoured to Little Ball Mountain and hoped for a view at the top. It was still cloudy when we got there although the clouds lifted at times. We had our breakfast 'doggy' bag for lunch. Homemade Penutian butter scones and cinnamon muffin, very nice indeed.
We got back to the Inn then it started to rain heavily. Maybe we will wait to see what they have for afternoon tea today.

Sunday - Three Mountain Inn - The Bed

It appears that as we travel north the beds are getting higher and wider.
This one is very wide and so high they provide wooden steps to climb up onto the bed. Ann is pleased about this,although a little worried in case she falls out.
I will provide photographic evidence of the steps.

Sunday - north to Jamaica, Vermont.

Started with a walk in the hills above Northfield. Very quiet and peaceful. Saw the odd chipmunk and not much more until we got to the top of the second peak where we watched 3 eagles circling around for ages. Then a massive bull mastiff appeared on the track. Luckily it was friendly and followed by a family the dog had decided to accompany from it's house at the bottom of the hill.
Then a pleasant drive north, to Brattlebro, where we had some lunch and looked in some shops. Prices are getting more sensible now and the houses not quite so grand.
We passed a couple of the famous covered bridges and arrived at 3 Mountain Inn, Jamaica.
Just in time for hot local cider, cheese and cookies.
The Inn is supposed to have the highest rated restaurant in Vermont - so tonight we will test it out.

Saturday - Amhurst & Historic Deerfield

Drove down to Amhurst to see Emily Dickinson's house. Decorated in mid 19th century style with little inside. Tour was more about her poetry and life. Next door was her brothers house, Evergreen, which was very different. Built in the Italianate style and occupied by the family until the 80s. Nothing had been done to the house to modernise it and the historical group who manage the house have left it as it was.
Then on to Historic Deerfield. An old village with many original old houses and buildings. There were a number of demonstrations of old crafts. One lady was showing how they used to gather, prepare and work flax. Which was fascinating and I found out why some linen shirts are itchy. A really interesting visit on yet another very warm day.

Friday - drive to Northfield, Mass.

Breakfast - sweet potatoe pancakes, strawberries, maple syrup and ... Sausages!!?? Trying everything but this was a bit strange.
Fairly straightforward trip apart from the temp. Reached 86 and felt like it ought to rain but didn't. We thought Fall - that's autumn, that's cooler, therefore no shorts or sandles. Now seriosly considering buying some.
Halloween is big. Already there are pumpkins everywhere, scarecrows in many gardens and mountains of Halloween stuff in the shops. I thought M&S were bad but this is crazy.
Nothfield is a one street town, but it is incredibly wide and very tidy. Long front lawns, big porches on most houses with rocking chairs.

Thursday - Whale watching Provident

Another glorious day. Drove up to northern tip of Cape Cod and then to Providencetown. We went on a Whale Watch boat, after 5 minutes, just as we were leaving the inner harbour, we saw a big school of dolphin, they played around the boat for a while then headed off. We continued out to the feeding grounds, a marine conservation area. As soon as we arrived, there were pods of humpback whales all around. We stayed for about an hour and a half and there were constantly groups, pairs or individual whales blowing and diving right in front of us. Fascinating to watch.
On landing we had a short look around town, very touristy, much smaller properties and in many ways like some of our Yorkshire or Cornish fishing villages, though it did have a very tall tower to comemorate the pilgrims.
Just for John & Jenny, clapboard is the new fachwerke, we even saw our first Fachwerke automobile.
Visited the famous Brewster General Store. An amazing mix of all sorts of items.

Wednesday - tandem ride along Cape Cod

Another lovely day, temperatures in 70s. After our first proper New England breakfast we were ready to tackle The Cape Cod Rail Trail. A 22 mile cycle path,starting at South Dennis and continuing to Wellfleet. Hired a tandem, where they suggested we might not have enough time as they closed at 5. The route was an old rail track and has been recently been upgraded, lovely smooth tarmac all the way and flat. Needless to say we did the outward trip quickly, had some lunch outside a bakers, and returned nearly as quickly. 44 miles of enjoyable cycling. Lots of people out on the route, all ages, families, road bikes and a surprising number of recumbents. We went past a lot of Cranberry fields(?).
We returned to the Inn in time for fresh lemonade and cookies. Then a walk down to the beach, miles of White sand,
need to explore this bit more. We have seen a lot of old renovated big American cars driving around this evening. They look great, immaculately turned out. I'll try and find out some more about them. Full moon tonight, and Jupiter will be seen very close. Looks like another clear night so will have a look.

Worried of Cape Cod

According to the stats we are being read by a number of people. But not one comment.
Practising walking with coffee to go, using mobile, eating all at the same time. That's what they do on Boston.

Tuesday - drive down to Chatham, Cape Cod

Back out to the airport to pick up the car. Once we were on our way we got off the main highway and stuck to the smaller roads. Stopped off at Plymouth. There we saw Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower. Another glorious day, both wishing we had bought shorts and sandles. Plymouth is very pleasant, lots of open spaces and great views. Had lunch on the verandah of an artisan bakers.
Continued down to the Sagamore Bridge, and over to Cape Cod. Pleasant drive down to Chatham and the Cranberry Inn. A superb, traditional, shingled country inn. Much quieter than Boston.

Monday - River walk to Harvard

We decided to walk along the river to Harvard. Another warm and sunny day and a very enjoyable walk. A dedicated path for most of the way, great views, lots of people out walking, running and cycling. Cambridge was more a small town. At least the parts we saw. There are about 18,000 students at Harvard, then there is MIT and Boston Uni. We went on a guided tour run by the students, which was good, lots of information and entertaining. A very different area all round, saw a lot of very large expensve looking clapboard houses. We took the T back to Boston and visited the famous Filenes Basement, not impressed.
Meal at Legal Seafoods, the freshest you can get. Grilled clams, swordfish, cod and haddock, excellent.

Sunny Sunday in Boston

Another great day weatherwise. Walked down the harbour area which was great. All revitalised after completion of "The Big Dig". Walked to the Bay area and the parks, lots going on and vibrant. A very good Italian meal - a bit pricey but worth it.

Freedom Trail

A great start on warm blue sky day. Lots to see, 2.6 miles and it took 6.5 hours. Fanueil Market was lively and busy, a USA version of Covent Garden with a few twists. A helmet wearing, yo-yo expert on a unicycle. Saw Paul Revere's house and a guy doing paper marbling.
The New England Holocaust Memorial was a simple but very thought provoking site. The route took us down to the river where we saw the USS Constitution, and the up to Bunker Hill, which took us down through an older residential area full of clapboard houses.

Finished off at Beer Works, a micro brewery bar and food. Very generous portions. We have already cut out starters and desserts. Next plan is to share a main course.

Lunch in Greenway

Sat in the sun, unbelievably large sandwich, and free Wi-Fi.
How cool is that?

Decisions. Difficult start ...

What to do? What to eat? Too many choices .. Ann is still eating so I have plenty of time. Weather looks great.

Bullfinch Hotel
Our room is at the end on 4th floor.

Time ... where does it go?

I knew time was going somewhere but I was in the wrong zone.
Now Blog is on Eastern time Gmt -5. So by this time tomorrow it will be OK

Ready to go....

Have done all the last minute jobs. Cut grass, packed far too much, collected dollars, repacked, e-mailed everyone/anyone, checked in on-line, undecided as to which films we(I) should watch en route.
Can't wait. 4 nights in Bullfinch - flatiron hotel.

2 Days to go!

Just about organised and packed. We are now really looking forward to getting away. Inntravel told us today of roadworks near Blueberry Inn, that block the road north, I am sure we will manage to cope with the diversions.