September 29, 2006 (Fri) South Londonderry, VT to Hedges Lake, NY (71 miles today - 1903 total) - It rained during the night and as we broke camp this morning. We finally got off at 8:55 (57°). Instead of heading west, which would have been the most direct route to Hedges Lake, we went south to Bennington, VT. where we could get propane, do laundry, and pick up a few supplies. The poor guy at Aubuchon Hardware where we got propane got soaked (it was pouring rain at the time), the laundry facility left a lot to be desired, but the Price Chopper supermarket (next to a Wamart) was beautiful.
Hildene thought that the fastest route to North Bennington, and therefore to Hedges Lake, was through the campus of Bennington College. Apparently so have a lot of people over the years. A stone wall has been built across the road to discourage cross-campus traffic! It's a beautiful campus and worth the extra driving to see it. We ate lunch in the Bennington Battlefield park, where Mark used to picnic when visiting his grandparents and arrived at Ruth and Gordy's camp on Hedges Lake, NY at about 2:30. The rain has moved on and the sun was out.
September 30, 2006 (Sat) Hedges Lake, NY - The neighbors up the hill have guests - apparently young folks, to help take in the dock for the winter. As is the duty of young folks (and some not so young) they played their music loud enough to drown out their own conversation unless shouted. Fortunately, Q's sound dampening qualities are good when closed up, so sleeping wasn't the problem we thought it might be.
The Manchester Craft Festival had been going on a couple of years ago when we were here and we'd enjoyed going, so we were excited to learn that it was here this time too. So, after breakfast, we all headed out for Manchester (VT). Craftsmen from around Vermont (and the northeast) provided plenty of inspiration (and a few sales) and condiment merchants handed out samples of candies, jellies, and dips. By noon the food vendors were mobbed, so for lunch we went to a popular sandwich bar in town. We got back to the loud music at about 2:00.
Q033542 Ruth & Gordy's Driveway (x2)
October 1, 2006 (Sun) Hedges Lake, NY to Home (236/2139 miles) - Again no problem sleeping. In fact it quieted down at a little after 10:00. Apparently two days of partying (and lifting docks) is tiring. The Burger Barn (with Ruth and Gordy) was our breakfast venue. Two fried eggs, two large sausage patties, a big dish of home fried potatoes, and two cups of coffee is way more than we are used to eating for breakfast! We felt stuffed as we climbed into Q at 10:00 (51° and rainy) and headed for home. Thanks Ruth and Gordy for the great breakfast as well as your home cooked meals. As always, we had a great time with you.
The trip down the New York Thruway and the Garden State Parkway was uneventful. We got home at about 3:00.
Q033849 Home
