Vermont
Calvin Coolidge's Birth Place and Grave
We do try to visit historical sites along the way, with a special interest to Presidential homes. We discovered Calvin Coolidge's Birthplace was near by, so of course we paid it a visit. As luck would have it, this would open for business. We even had a tour guide. He gave us a lot of history about the the Coolidge family who lived in this small town for generations. We were mostly shown the exterior of the buildings, since any of the site that were federal ownership were closed, but there were a few, the barn and his house, which were open for us to view. The barn was especially interesting, as there were old horse drawn carriages, including horse drawn hearses, one for was a sled. It was nice to listen to the story of one of our Presidents, who became president when the president passed away. In this case he became our 30th president upon the death of Warren Harding. He was sworn in by his dad, who was a notary public, in his childhood home at this location. He was also buried nearby.
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| This was Coolidge's childhood home |
The right part of the building is Coolidges birthplace home, the left or white portion is the store built later.
Believed to be Coolidge's presidential chair
One day, while looking for something to do in Vermont, we came across another Rockefeller National Historical Park. It is amazing the things you can come across that you don't even know exist. The grounds at the Park were beautiful, the house was also beautiful, but as luck would have it, closed due to Covid.
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
Ben and Jerry's
This was a stop we had to make, because its a factory that makes health food. The only trouble I had is do I choose Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey, hmmmmmm, of course I'll have a scoop of each its the only solution to the dilemma at hand.
Their Flavor Graveyard: Honoring our Dearly De-Pinted (Retired) Flavors
Burlington, VT for a lunch and a Cruise along Lake Champlain.
Spirit of Ethan Allen
We had a wonderful cruise of Lake Champlain on a beautiful sunny day. Such a gorgeous way to spend an afternoon. Followed by lunch in downtown Burlington.
Fort Ticonderoga
While in the area, we decided to visit Fort Ticonderoga. As the first rebel victory of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga served as a morale booster and provided key artillery for the Continental Army in that first year of war. Cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga would be used during the successful Siege of Boston the following spring. Fortunately, the fort was open, there were even actors playing soldiers, who gave a good canon demonstration. The museum was open for business. It was a touch of normal that was nice to experience.
Located on Lake Champlain Fort Ticonderoga served as a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley during revolutionary war.
Views from Mount Defiance
Dave and I decided to walk up to the top of nearby Mount Defiance after we visited the Fort. It was a beautiful view from the top.
Views of Fort Ticonderoga from Mount Defiance
Hope Cemetery Barre VTThe city calls itself the "Granite Capital of the World", and the cemetery is known for the superb granite craftsmanship on its memorials and tombstones. This is certainly one of the most unusual cemeteries, the headstones look as though the deceased are taking a final opportunity to out do their neighbors.
Next stop - Trapp Family Lodge
While in the area, we couldn't resist the opportunity to visit the Trapp Family Lodge. Members of the family still own this location, where they settled after leaving Austria. It is set High on the Hills, and it is a beautiful location.
For some reason, these whale tails, made from 36 tons of African black granite and standing 12 to 13 feet, they dive into a grassy field in Randolph VT. No one could tell us why they were in Vermont so far from the Ocean, other than they like them.
Vermont had a lot to offer. Neither of us have ever been there before, so it was great to discover it together.
