We were pleasantly surprised when we rolled into the Pine Valley/Queechee KOA. Talk about a friendly welcome! The work staff was outside to greet us, and check in was fast and efficient. I think in the time we were there we NEVER saw a work camper who wasn't smiling. Our site was level, and we enjoyed staying with them. In fact, if we could have extended through Labor Day weekend, we would have!
Our first morning in the area we headed for Queechee Gorge, which is considered the "Grand Canyon" of Vermont. We stopped at the visitor's center and got information on hiking trails and opted to take one that would take us to a dam and pond. Unfortunately the trail, while well maintained, was heavily wooded, and we could not see anything until we arrived at the dam and pond. When we exited the Gorge we went up to the highway observation area where we could see the Gorge!
From the Gorge we drove to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock, VT. We had a tour of a 1960 fallout shelter that was outfitted with cots, food, water, etc. Unfortunately there were many questions as to who would be allowed in, was there enough water, food, etc. for at least a 2-week stay for 80 people. After the tour of the fallout shelter we visited the Billings-Rockefeller mansion for a tour. The mansion was built in 1805-1807 for Charles Marsh, Sr. the father of George Perkins Marsh. Mr Marsh served seral terms in Congress and was an American diplomat. He wrote a book called MAN AND NATURE which gave an analysis of our impact on nature and his plea for responsible land stewardship. In 1869 the Marsh home was bought by the Billings family. Mr. Billings farmed and he developed one of the nations' first programs of scientific forest management so that the barren hills of VT which were stripped clean of trees to provide pasture of sheep could be reforested. Billings granddaughter, Mary French, married Laurance Rockefeller in 1934, hence the name Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller. Mr. Rockefeller helped make conservation and outdoor recreation an essential part of the national agenda. They gifted this land and Mansion to the National Park Service.
On Wednesday, 8/27 we drove to the President Calvin Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth Notch, VT. The site contains the little town much the way it existed as it was in 1923 when he became President. The Coolidge Homestead, general store, and Summer White House office are open to the public, as are the nearby operating cheese factory (started by Coolidge's father and other farmers), the church where he worshipped, the house where Coolidge was born, barns and several other buildings. A short distance away is the cemetery where Coolidge is buried with seven generations of his family. His grave has a simple granite marker, identical to all his ancestors. The only evidence of his Presidency is that there are two small American flags beside the stone. Coolidge was VP and was visiting his father in Plymouth Notch when word came that Warren Harding had died. In the middle of the night, standing by the light of a kerosene lamp in the family Homestead, Coolidge was sworn in as paresident by his father, the local notary public. His summer white house consisted of 3 tables in the dance hall above the general store.
Thursday we drove to Norwich, VT to tour the King Arthur Flour Company. Since it had a cafe and boasted of fresh pastries and desserts, I had my heart set on a piece of pie....no such luck. I had to settle for a chocolate chip cookie instead. Probably much better for my weight than the pie.
Friday we moved north on I-89 to the little town of Randolph Center, where we camped at the Lake Champagne campground over the Labor Day weekend. Our neighbor had a 1975 Airstream, and I really liked his little Jack Russel Terrier, Sophie. Friday afternoon we went into Randolph and checked out the town. Treated ourselves to ice cream before heading back to camp.
Saturday was spent in Montpelier, the state capitol. We toured the State House and visited the State History Museum - very well done!
Sunday we drove South on I-89 to Sharon and then on to Stafford, VT. The purpose was to visit the home of U.S. Sen. Justin Smith Morrill. The Morrill family owned the house until 1938, and the 17 room house contains original Morrill family furnishings. Sen. Morrill was the chief sponsor of the 1862 and 1890 Land Grant College Acts. These were the most important pieces of legislation for American higher education in the 19th century. For the first time American working class, women and minorities had the opportunity to attend college in practical subjects such as engineering, agriculture, and the sciences. Of note: North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T are the land grant schools in NC.
On Labor Day we headed back to Shelburne, VT for 3 days before heading into Bennington, VT.
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