Vermont

We have been on the road for 7 weeks and today we started out trek back west. We drove back through Maine and into New Hampshire. Our lunch spot this time was not the beach, but a Target parking lot. Not nearly as much fun because we had a long drive and a museum to get to before it closed. We continued on our way to Vermont with a goal of visiting the New England Maple Syrup Museum. This is a very small museum and maple store near our next campsite. Maple Syrup is well loved in our family. Stephen grew up with maple syrup in big jugs from upstate New York and a father who tapped trees on his farm as a child. Our kids will drink it by the cup full of we allowed it. So while in the largest maple syrup producing state we felt it was required to make a maple stop.

On the way we enjoyed the small towns we passed and the beautiful views. The north east is gorgeous country with cute little towns. If it weren’t for the cold winters it would be a great place to live out our country dreams.

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We were able to make it to the museum an hour before it closed and enjoy the incredible collection of maple syrup relics it held. For a small museum it was full of information, history, past and present items, as well as a very friendly owner. We learned about the history of maple syrup from the Native American legends to the pioneers, to present production. It was a great history lesson on one of our favorite sweet foods.

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When we exited the museum a taste test was set up for us. We tried the 5 levels of syrup plus their own bourbon syrup. It was great to learn about grades of syrup and what they are best for. We all had our favorites and wanted to take everything home. We had to stop ourselves from buying all the delicious syrup in the store. Instead we choose some maple sugar candy, bourbon maple syrup, maple cotton candy, and some classic syrups.

After our maple syrup adventures it was just a short ride to our campsite at Country Village Campground. We had a great spot by the woods with a large open space in front. The kids played fetch (a game we made up), an adult throws the ball and the kids get it and bring it back. Whoever gives it to the adult gets a point. Simple and gets them running around. Yes there is often a lot of wrestling involved and sometimes a fight or two, but hey that is the sibling way.

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