September 22, 2011

Cheese, Bridges and Cogs

Kevin and I planned a stop this morning at Cabot Creamery, a farm-family owned cooperative since 1919.  Vermont produces wonderful cheeses, particularly cheddars, and we wanted to taste a few.  As we were waiting in the parking lot for the visitor center to open, we started to chat with an interesting couple from Moscow, Idaho.  The woman commented on the RV and was intrigued that I travel with a cat.  She also travels with her cat, but in a car, and had never considered the possibility of owning an RV. 

Cabot Creamery
Kevin and I were the only two people on the tour at Cabot Creamery.  Thank goodness the tour bus was late.  During the tour, Kevin asked the guide, “What if one of your cheese tasters becomes lactose intolerant?  Do they get disability?”  Without batting an eye, the guide smugly pointed to one of the brochures in the rack that read, “Our Cheese Is Lactose Free.”  Touché!

We made a quick detour to the north to visit a concentration of covered bridges.  Mosquitos were vicious, but the locals were friendly.  One gentleman who had lived in the Northeast Kingdom all his life offered to take our photograph and pointed us in the direction of another bridge.  Another man called to us from his truck, commented on my Colorado license plate and noted that his daughter lives in Colorado.  We found three of the bridges and even drove the RV through the last one.

School House Bridge

Chamberlin Bridge

Sarah and Kevin at the Chamberlin Bridge

Miller's Run Bridge
Every day the autumn colors become more and more pronounced, and driving the back roads is glorious.  As we crossed into New Hampshire, however, it started to rain.  We had hoped to ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway this afternoon and headed that way just in case the weather cleared.  The rain never stopped, but it wasn’t too bad, and we decided to take the train anyway.  This is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway, and has operated continuously since 1869.  It climbs steeply to the summit of Mount Washington, elevation 6,288 feet.

Mount Washington Cog Railway

Our Train
Kevin is a train nut, and was in his element.  The weather deteriorated as we climbed, and the visibility at the top was only 50 feet.  That was fitting for Mount Washington, however, home of the world’s worst weather.  We had a great time anyway and enjoyed the ride.

Climbing Through the Raindrops

The View On the Way Down
Tonight we parked the RV in front of the ski house that belongs to Jane’s sister Mary.  Located in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, the house was just a short drive from the Cog Railway.  Thanks, Mary.

No comments:

Post a Comment