Green with Envy (Vermont)

Member Name: doyoureally

Product:	Vermont
Date:	11/03/03 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Picturesque, Active Outdoors, Relaxing

Disadvantages: Too quite for party-animals, Can't fly direct from UK

Vermont was named for the thing that endures most in your memory when you leave - green mountains.

The half million population of Vermont enjoy life in one of the most pleasant states I have visited. It does not have brash and bustling cities, or a single beach - just endless verdant pasture, lowlands, hills, lakes and charm. It is true that some days nothing of world consequence happens here - but if that is what you want to escape to on your holiday - Vermont is the place to come.

This paragraph is the only one I will devote to "leaf peeping" or the obsession with watching nature turn this land through every shade of red, yellow, brown, gold, amber that you can imagine. New England fall is simply spectacular - if you come, be prepared to peep the same leaf at the some time as someone else - it gets jam-packed. Worth it to be sure - but very expensive and perhaps bit wearing if it were not so spectacular.

Right moving on - the rest of the year offers everything from pleasant sunmmers to snowy winters with some of the best skiing in the USA.

Vermont is small, barely 150 miles by 90 miles maximum. Roads vary between two interstates that get you there but miss the magic and endless, uncharacteristic winding roads into the little communities that spread themselves far and wide.

But with a small population and vast forest and mountain ranges - you can enjoy a good share of isolation too. Outdoor pursuits dominate the agenda for many visitors from hiking to biking to sailing to trailing.

There are too many picturesque places to list without just listing them -so here are the one's I liked the most (that I am willing to reveal anyhow!): -

Appalachian Trail - made famous by Bill Bryson ins "A Walk in the Woods" - this is one of America's great walking trails - take a few steps and imagine the hardship and rewards of a through-hiker when he or she completes the thousands of miles. <
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Ben and Jerry's - a legend in their own lifetimes and perhaps Vermont's most famous output - yummy ice-cream -take the tour for a$2 I think and get free calories at the end. Their story is both insightful and a little inspiring. Did you know every carton is made from recycled paper?

Burlington - a pleasant town on lake - with watersports and cruises, some nighttime atmosphere, pleasant shopping & eating outdoors in summer.

Woodstock - as reviewed by another in this category

Killington for the skiers - ski & apres-ski galore?

Stowe - didn't get here but others tell me it is great set up in the mountains.

There are endless smaller places- ask anyone you stay with when you arrive - I found Vermont folk mighty friendly and remarkably well informed about our world compared to some southern states.


Getting Here & Around
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There is no direct flight route in from the UK - so either head over by car or fly into Burlington. Or you can arrive by Amtrak from New York.

Once here a car is really a must - sorry designated drivers - but the driving is so easy and the scenery so good it's not so bad. Speed limits are low and enforced - so take you foot of the gas and savour the pace of life.


In summary
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Reviewing any state in a manageable bite of text is challenging. But to repeat my opening intimation -come to Vermont to escape the hum of city-life and fin tranquillity, access to nature and activities that complement such setting.

PS If there is anything you want to ask -put a comment and I'll try to add to this appropriately.

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