I hope you had a nice “holiday” three day weekend – I did. Saturday I was out early to some “sales” in Guilford and Newfane, Vermont, and found some treasures to place in new homes. Sunday, David and family visited, and we had a leisurely brunch at Stuart and John’s and then walked and picked at Alyson’s Orchard just down the road. We then visited at “44” for awhile. It was a great visit. Here is the family in pictures Mari posted on Facebook:

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Today, Monday, I had to get out again, and BLUE BELLE’s headlamps were tearing up. She and I decided we were overdue for a visit Plymouth Notch and President Coolidge. Overcast, not great colors on the trees in town, and amazing traffic heading to Chester (heading back south), but we were on our way. No treasures at Stone House Antiques (getting really hard to spend my money), spot for lunch closed since no kitchen help. Next tried Crow’s Bakery in Proctorsville where I published my first Shunpiking post April 10, 2011 – also closed today. But around the corner is Singleton’s General Store. Never been, but pulled in, and got a great sandwich – to go. The new plan — lunch on a picnic table at Plymouth Notch overlooking the President’s home. We arrived, and the sun came out – “timing is everything.”

Did I say “timing is everything?” Eating my lunch, looking up the road towards the cheese factory and the President’s home, there was Bill Jenney, the State’s director of this fabulous place. He and an associate were working on a garden area. I watched them as I ate, and when I finished up I walked up to say hi. Bill beat me to it, “hi, Ray.” We chatted about how things have gone the past few years. Bill also shared some of his professional background and education. What a treasure you have Vermont — Bill will be very hard to replace. We parted, but later on I saw him again, and he invited me into the former Tea Room (The Aldrich House) – now his office and other exhibit space – he wanted to share a new exhibit there of dolls. And, sadly, just a warning, Bill said there will be no Holiday Open House this December, again with COVID concerns. But for nostalgia, click here for my report of the December 10, 2016 OPEN HOUSE. 

Alice based her dolls on real people. Below are some examples. On the left are some of the folks she knew in Plymouth Notch (hope I remembered correctly Bill), and on the right is the last surviving Revolutionary War widow who as a resident here died in 1906. Bill said, “when they married he was really old, and she really young. She kept trying to get as much money from the US as possible.” You know I have to “know everything” so (thank you Google) here are the particulars – the last Revolutionary War pension was paid in 1906—131 years after the Battles of Lexington and Concord began the American Revolutionary War in 1775. to Esther (Sumner) Damon, the widow of Noah Damon. Esther died in 1906 at her home in Plymouth Union, She married Noah 6 September 1835 when he was 75, and she, 21.

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Below are two images as I left The Aldrich House. Remember you can click my images or galleries for larger views.

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Bill told me I should drive up the road past the cheese factory and see the stone house built about 1840 that is part of the 25 buildings he overseas for the State of Vermont. I did not recall driving up the hill, so off I went. And, at the end of the road at the top of the hill – WOW – my timing to see great leaves was timed with beauty in Plymouth Notch.

And, then I came back down the hill, great dirt road, past the stone house, and back into the “metropolis.”

and, leaving the village, I turned to the cemetery to pay my respects to the President, and see the color there.

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Back down Vermont Route 100 – always a treat – I turned east at the Echo Lake Inn onto Kingdom Road towards Reading and Felchville This is another great route I have always enjoyed and highly recommend for the views. But wait, here is Scout Camp Road with a sign to Camp Plymouth State Park. Never been there – seen it from Route 100 across Echo Lake – so left turn.

lots of history here — Vermont’s Gold Rush, and route of the Crown Point Road with a Revolutionary War encampment. These two state signs tell you all — for a start.

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so south on Vermont 106, and seeing a road on my old Vermont atlas that I had not explored, I turned left on the first road south of Route 131. Missed a turn I wanted, but all of a sudden stumbled into – what is this. Well, I found the North Springfield Reservoir. Near the airport bet you did not know about this area. Well I will head back for more exploration.

As you can see it was clouding up again. But when I was in Plymouth Notch, the sun was bright and the colors even brighter – TIMING IS EVERYTHING. Hope you had a nice enjoyable holiday weekend. Stay safe and stay well, and I will be back with more soon. As always, yours, RAY