Tuesday - Vermont Bound

PADDLE WHEEL AT THE TRESTLE PARK

Tuesday morning was comfortable, temperature wise, but there was an oncoming threat of showers. The skies didn't look happy and I was mentally prepared to suffer for it all day long. I packed up and said my good byes to the housekeeper at the Tilton Inn. A nice lady named Laura, she confirmed what I suspected. For the last two nights I was the only guest at the Inn. The owners do not live on premises but staff had assured me that there was a staff member living on the third floor. You see, there are rumors that there is a ghost there named Rose who was a little girl who once lived there. Not that I believe in ghosts, but when you're the

TRAIN TRESTLE IN FRANKLI

only person staying in a three story, ten bedroom old house, it is a little unnerving. Well Tuesday morning as I visited with Laura before departing, Laura informed me that the lady who normally is up on the third floor has been out of town so the last two nights I was the only person in that house. Again, I don't believe in ghosts, but when I had heard the pipes rattling in the early morning hours the day before yesterday, I assumed the lady upstairs was taking a shower... now, knowing she wasn't there does sorta' make me wonder.

On my way out of town, I stopped in Franklin, the adjacent township, to check out the river bridge and train trestle across the street. I had ridden by it numerous times but never stopped due to the

THE STONE STAIRS TO THE RIVER

congestion in the area. Route 11 is a very busy route. I found US route 4 west of Franklin and that would bring me all the way to Woodstock, VT.

I had never heard of Woodstock when I chose it as my lodging location for the next three days. I simply opened up the trusty Rand McNally, looked at green dots on the highways and looked for a high elevation. A high elevation means twisty roads and a great place to ride motorcycle. Little did I know that Woodstock is a happening touristy spot. Downtown is old, like established in
1761, and the town has kept its charm and historical context by maintaining many of the original structures. Most are listed on the national historic registry.  For this leg of my journey, I had chosen a less chic lodging establishment, a roadside motor inn type of a place called Sleep Woodstock, about five miles west of town, between down town and the ski lodges.

With rain threatening, I stopped at the motel and dropped off my bag before running back into town. I then signed up for the two o'clock walking tour of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller mansion,

STORE BUILT OVER RIVER

changed from riding boots to walking shoes, I hoofed into town from the museum. A beautiful stroll into town, you cross a river. Along side the river I found a set of stone stairs with a chain hand railing leading down to the water's edge. I explored this, then continued into town. I checked out the F.H. Gillingham General Store, which has been in business since 1886, then strolled along the downtown streets, enjoying the architecture and character of early America.

THE MANSION

I returned to the museum where I watched a fascinating film about the men and their families who created the home and legacy which was eventually donated, land, structures and all contents, to the people of the United States to be preserved for all to enjoy. The families who owned this property were some of our country's earliest environmental champions. At one time, over 60% of Vermont was deforested due to logging and the rate would have continued had it not been for the efforts of the families who left this legacy. The house is a testament to craftsmanship and is filled with original pieces of art.

BRAINARD GENERAL STORE

Unfortunately, no photographs were allowed inside, much to my disappointment,
and the gift shop did not sell any books or disks with photos so I cannot share that with you. I would encourage anybody who is in the area to take the tour, though.

When I was finished there, I threw the riding boots back on and headed north out VT route 12. Along the way, I found a quaint little country general store at a bend in the road in the little town of Brainard, across from Silver Lake. I originally intended to just grab some snacks to bring back to the motel room, but they had a nice little deli in there so I grabbed some home made chili, home made jalapeno corn bread and a pop and sat out on the porch. I watched kids swimming in the lake across the street while I ate and thought, yup, this is the America I

SILVER LAKE

always go looking for on a bike trip. It's still here. You just need to get away from the cities to find it.

I finished up and hit the road again, making a big loop along some twisty highways back to the motel. Unfortunately, mother nature could not quite hold out until my day ride was complete. I started to get a little sprinkle and came across a closed ski resort, where I pulled over, grabbed the rain gear and suited up under an awning before continuing on. It was just a light sprinkle the rest of the way back, and it wasn't until I had the bike completely unpacked that it finally cut loose and rained good and hard.

Over all, a good day. Looking forward to exploring Vermont byways.

Peace.