Weekend in Vermont!

For a belated "Parents' Day Weekend," I treated my folks to a weekend at a Vermont hiking spa.  When I awoke early Saturday morning it was pouring so hard I couldn't imagine ever getting out of bed!!!  But the rain stopped, I had a blueberry shake for breakfast (and no, they will not allow you to have a shake AND some steel-cut oatmeal at the same session), and we sent off for an Intermediate Hike.  It was a little over 5 miles according to my mom's pedometer, and included the Contest Trail.  The highlight was this clearing/meadow where there were blackberries aplenty and a bush full of the largest blueberries I've ever seen:

The spa itself is located in a ski resort which has perhaps seen better days.  But the scenery can't be beat:

View from the backyard.  Tent for yoga and other classes is just off-frame to the right.

On Sunday, we were pressed for time so went on a Beginner Hike, also a bit over 5 miles, but on smooth unpaved road along a brook.  Our destination was a bridge, from which we could see:

Not exactly roaring waterfalls, but a pleasant nature walk (sans naturalist guides).  On the way back, we stopped at a farmhouse to pass the time.  They told us about their struggles with bureaucracy and one-size-fits-all regulations (they are especially unhappy with laws that interfere with their ability to sell lovingly hand-produced unpasteurized goat's milk to informed and willing buyers).  They also told us about what it was like when Irene came through - the tiny brook we'd walked along swelled of course into a mighty river and overflowed its banks.  Luckily, they were OK - the water came across the road and almost up to the house, but did no permanent damage (other than possibly to the turkeys they kept down by the water - not sure I caught that part just right).  But many houses along the main river were ripped from their foundations - in fact, they are still there today.  The village got together promptly so that each could provide according to his/her ability, to those in need.  It was good to hear.  Apparently those who lost everything are now (according to the farmer) better off than before ... though it seems that the unmoored houses will stay in place until FEMA money comes through.