Vermont Part I

We've completed 21 weeks on the road, including three weeks in Vermont. Wait, we've been road-tripping for five months? How is that possible?

Our home base during September has been the beautiful vacation house of our friends Karen and Jimbo Baroody. It's in a small, picturesque town in northern Vermont near the Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski resorts. The house is bright and spacious, with big hydrangeas and sunflowers blooming outside. Wild turkeys and deer visit us every day. And best of all, the house has expansive views of the Green Mountains. Some of the trees are already turning red and gold. Fall is in the air!

The drive through town winds alongside the Mad River, which looks more like a babbling brook right now but is probably "mad" in the spring (referred to here as "Mud Season"). There are emerald green fields with rustic barns and dairy cows. At the Saturday morning farmer's market, the abundance of fresh bread, cheese, and produce made us feel like kids in a candy store. Steve has been in his element, with a first-class kitchen and farmer's market bounty. I have had the enviable job of eating all the delicious things he makes.

The highlight of our stay was a weekend visit from our hosts, who drove up from their home outside Boston. Karen and Jimbo are friends who we've known forever and are always a blast to hang out with. With their cute dog Honey, they took us on a hike, where we were rewarded with a gorgeous view of the Mad River Valley.

There was also an impressively detailed little gnome (fairy?) house. No tiny residents in sight, though.

Other highlights from our weekend with K&J included another visit to the farmer's market, local beer on the patio at the Mad River Glen ski resort, sunsets on their deck, and a cozy evening around the firepit. We're so thankful for our friends and the opportunity to see them and stay at their awesome house in Vermont. (Is it okay if we book a week here with you every September?)