Second post in almost as many days – think I remembered how to do it. First short, sweet fun outings to share, start writing in my head while cruising, and a catchy title that must be shared. Saturday BLUE BELLE and I traversed round trip about 20 miles, and today a tad over 50. Saturday was Swan Boats and today Bunker (Hill) Road – and since I am a hundred miles to those places in Boston — hopefully you have calculated I did not go there. But where Ray?

Last August I shared with you a little known local treasure — THE VILAS POOL in Alstead. Please revisit that post and visit this bucolic spot. At the end of that post I wrote – 5-Remind me to get back often. Well, I need to get back more and more and sit on the porch and read. But nine miles from me you may wish to follow their Facebook Page.

Many places to sit and relax I again sat on the porch of the main building (below) and chatted with the superintendent for awhile. He asked if I wanted to play the carillon.

in the pond, and now on my list to experience, is this swan boat. Yes, rural New Hampshire – not Boston Common. Visit my post from last August (link above) and plan a trip here.

You know I am a huge fan of Landmark Trust USA and Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont. I recently received an email that the cafe – Pippin’s Café – was opening July 5 at Scott Farm, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to 6. And for a third outing in a row for BB2, that was the plan for Sunday – but wouldn’t it be fun to arrive via roads not taken before? Well, here is what I did – and you can do this easily without a map.

From home I headed south on US 5 in Vermont to Putney where I turned right on Westminster Road at the Putney General Store. You will not see the front of the store as below – but that is US 5 to the right where I came down the hill – wanted to share this image of the store that has burned at least twice as I recall but the exterior retained as original.

From Westminster Road, soon turn left on West Hill Road as you did with me to go to the Putney School Medieval Faire in October 2023 and for the Putney Mountain Road exploration last July 28. But, instead of turning right onto Putney Mountain Road continue straight (never had been this way before) on West Hill Road which becomes Bunker Road, most likely at the Dummerston line. And BB2 and I have now been loving dirt for awhile.

GREAT ROAD – GREAT DIRT – GREAT FIELDS AND TREES and some views. We passed Bunker (Hill – it was on a hill) Farm.

In time you arrive at the five way intersection in Dummerston Center. I have enjoyed summer fairs here, and a play in the Grange Hall below. To the right aways stood the General Store that is now at Old Sturbridge Village (OSV), and a few miles to the west stood the Covered Bridge now at OSV. Fast facts from Ray’s previous research, and now you know.

Straight at this five way corner – careful on the turns, and second right on Kipling Road (yes towards Naulakha of course. But first coming in this direction you arrive first at Scott Farm – my destination to read, relax and have a dinner.

in the image above on the left is the farm stand with apples, cider and more. Pippin’s Cafe is hidden to the rear. In case you forgot, CIDER HOUSE RULES was partially filmed here in the orchards. I did lots of reading, and indulged in three courses: 1-cider slushy 2-a flight of hard cider and 3- Fresh Mozzarella baguette.

Below is the cafe, and then looking back from the cafe to the seating areas, farmstead, and barns.

and my “second and third” courses.

I am on a writing to remember and share roll — hope you got this far, but more so hope you experience both Vilas Pool and Scott Farm and Pippin’s Cafe.

What is next? I don’t know, may know when I wake up tomorrow – you may recall that is how things have happened before. Stay safe and well, love, RAY

JULY 26, 2025 UPDATE ON VILAS POOL

When I visited earlier this month I learned that work was going to be done on the Vilas Pool dam. Well, my plan for this summer is to finish many of my “work days” on the porch at the pavilion “reading and writing.” Visiting on Saturday, 26 July, I found the river and “pool” — I had the place to myself, learning a reunion with 155 people had left about a half hour earlier. Below, however what I saw with little water. Another problem with the dam was found, state approval needed for those repairs, thus this may be how the “pool” looks the rest of the year — guess I may not get out in a Swan Boat this year.

Crossing the bridge over the dam. PS – the overcast is from a “weather alert” day of smoke from Canada.

and walking back out looking downstream from the dam.

love this image looking back at the bridge. Looking closely to the right corner you can see where the road was, but washed out with much of the bank a few years ago. Road adjusted at tad, and alternating travel. I love this shot I took.