‘Travel’ Articles at Sweetnicks, Page 3

Visit: Sugarbush Farm, Woodstock, Vermont

September 15, 2015 · Narrative

A quaint farm tucked away in the hills of Vermont, with cheese tasting, animals to pet, and maple syrup as far as the eye can see. It’s a great spot to visit if you find yourself in Woodstock, Vermont.

If you’ve been a long-time reader here, you know how obsessed my daughter is with animals of all kinds. So when a friend mentions a farm an hour’s drive from where we were staying in Vermont in August, it should come as no surprise that we hopped in the car and away we went.

Which is how we found ourselves at Sugarbush Farm in Woodstock.

At the end of a windy, you’ll-secondguess-you’re-going-the-right-way road, we pulled into the small gravel parking lot and were immediately greeted with a fenced area with cows and goats waiting to be pet … and fed.

And that’s how we killed the first forty-five minutes of our visit.

Once their grubby little fingers were done hand-feeding the animals, we bathed in hand sanitizer and made our way inside the farm store. As soon as we entered, we walked into a room where staff was busy packaging up their cheeses. It was fun to watch the process of cutting, storing, and waxing the cheese.

An employee greeted us and offered to do a tasting with us. And, well, cheese is totally my happy place, so I was on it like white on rice.

All different types, aged for different lengths of time, it was hard not to walk away with one of everything. I narrowed it down to just one, as hard as it was, and we picked a long-aged Cheddar, one that both the kids and I loved.

…

Visit: Pond Hill Pro Rodeo {Castleton, Vermont}

July 29, 2015 · Narrative

A rodeo in the middle of Vermont? Yes, indeed, and I’m here to tell you all about it.

When it comes to Vermont, you might think of vast green landscapes, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, maple syrup, and just good old fashioned back to nature moments. But a rodeo? Yes, I was just as surprised as you. When we visited Vermont a few weeks ago, our hosts had planned and house outing to a local rodeo, and since the kids and I have never been to one (and Madeline LOVES horses), we couldn’t wait to go.

It was only about ten miles from where we were staying, in the town of Castleton, and as we neared, you could tell that this was a very popular local attraction. When we got on the property, we quickly fell into a long line of pick-up trucks going down the dusty dirt road, pulling into the parking lot.

Ten dollars for adults, and five for kids, our money (cash only) was collected as we pulled in.

Once we parked, we immediately got in the food truck line because we hadn’t had dinner and, with only two food trucks on the property, the line was already getting long. Nick is obsessed with Fried Oreos this year, so he eagerly scanned the menu to see if they had them.

Spoiler alert: no.

But they did have your usual fare of burgers, hot dogs, fries, and drinks.

Also cash only.

Once we had our food, we scouted out seats for our group on the stadium-style bleachers. I would gather that most anywhere you sit is a good seat, but we aimed for the middle of the stadium, about half way up, that way even our littlest (read: shortest) attendees would still have a view.

And then it started.

Everyone stood for the National Anthem, and as the parade of horses and the American flag went past, I got goosebumps.

And it didn’t hurt that the rodeo was in an awesome dip in the valley … which meant the perfect spot to watch the sun set while the rodeo began.

There were all sorts of events during the rodeo: barrel racing, calf roping, bull riding, and more. This being our first rodeo, we didn’t know quite what to expect, and I’ve got to be honest, the segments where they roped the calves and threw them to the ground and tied their hooves together were a little hard to watch.

In front of us was the sister of one of the calf ropers, and the mother of another calf roper.

Which means we tried hard not to loudly cheer when the calves won, but we mostly closed our eyes during those parts.

The entire rodeo lasts about two hours, but because of the single-lane exit, we skipped out about 15 minutes before the end to avoid the mad dash and ensuing long line of traffic.

Which was a totally solid call.

If you’re visiting Vermont, or looking to cross “rodeo” off your Bucket List, it makes for a fun night. Besides the Saturday night rodeo events, which run from the beginning of July through the beginning of September, they also offer trail rides and horseback riding lessons.

Pond Hill Ranch
1683 Pond Hill Ranch Rd.
Castleton, VT 05735

Telephone:
(802)468-2449
(802)468-0578

Hungry for more things to do in Vermont?
If you are visiting Vermont, the Quechee Gorge is a beautiful spot to hike and picnic.
We loved our visit to the Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works place in Montepelier. Because, maple syrup.
Our visit to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury was a delicious way to start the day.
Also in Waterbury, the Cabot cheese shop is right down the street and worth checking out.
The Vermont Country Store was an awesome stop and the last thing we did before heading home.
Our trip kicked off with a stop at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.

Visit: Quechee Gorge {Quechee, Vermont}

July 22, 2015 · Narrative

Traveling to Vermont? The Quechee Gorge is a beautiful must-see for your list of things to do.

When the kids and I visited Vermont in the Spring, I had the Quechee Gorge on my list, but man, Vermont is BIG and WIDE, and even though I feel like we traversed all over that fair state, we weren’t close enough to Quechee to make it happen.

But this past weekend?

We did.

We had plans to visit a farm about forty-five minutes from where we were staying over the weekend, so I quickly looked to see how far the Quechee Gorge was from that, and when I saw it was only about fifteen minutes away, it was as good as done.

And man, was it ever worth it.

As we drove over the bridge, we took a peek down and it was breathtaking. One hundred and sixty five feet down, to be exact.

We parked in the adjacent lot, and then made our way over to the trail. I wanted to walk down to the very bottom, but my friend needed a little convincing.

…

Weekend Photos in Review

July 19, 2015 · Photos

We spent this weekend in Vermont, with ten other families in a rooming house/lodge. Lots of good old fashioned, back to basics fun. Which means photo overload. #sorrynotsorry

…

Visit: Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks {Montpelier, Vermont}

June 9, 2015 · Narrative

If you’re looking for legit maple syrup in Vermont, the quiet and quaint Morse Farm in Montpelier is the perfect place to visit.

When I was researching things to do and eat in Vermont, maple syrup was, of course, very high on my list. Any time we visit someplace new, I always try to seek out and bring home the food items that that region is most known for.

So maple syrup, of course.

Funnily enough, I rarely use it myself. I don’t like pancakes or waffles, but the kids do. I’m not sure they can quite appreciate the difference between the “good stuff” and the garbage, but side-by-side comparisons, and getting a chance to visit a maple farm certainly help with that education process.

We had to go through downtown Montpelier to get to Morse Farm, as it sits a little on the outskirts of town. Montpelier was quite adorable. Quaint little boutiques and eateries and very much a small town vibe that was, surprisingly, bustling.

I took careful note of everything in the downtown area because, at the time, our car wasn’t terribly happy. I don’t know what was wrong with it, but that day in Montpelier was the first mechanic and garage we had seen on our trip, so I paid attention to where they were located, and what we could occupy ourselves with nearby, should they need to work on the car.

Thankfully, it wasn’t necessary.

Montpelier is also home to the Vermont State House, which we stopped to visit. It is one of only eight state houses in the country that has a gold dome.

Following the Waze directions to the farm, there were some hills and windy roads, and then eventually a gravel path led us to the farm’s entrance. It’s a little under three miles from the downtown area, not far at all.

…

Visit: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory {Waterbury, Vermont}

May 26, 2015 · Narrative

It stands to reason that if we’re going to be in Vermont, a stop at the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory can’t be missed. Here’s a peek at our recent visit.

Our visit to Waterbury was our favorite day of our Vermont vacation, because we seriously just went up and down the street, eating and drinking our way through various stops. Cheese, a coffee output, an orchard store, and the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory.

It was a good day, no question about it.

The factory was easy to find and there is plenty of free parking. Getting behind-the-scenes tours are one of my favorite things to do, especially if it involves a food product (the kids and I love watching Food Factory USA), so we were really looking forward to this portion of our trip.

And, well, ice cream.

As soon as you approach the building, the delicious smell of waffle cones swirls around. We arrived a few minutes before the next tour started, and after we paid our admission charge, we killed time by poking around the gift shop. Be sure to visit it while you’re there if you’re looking for unique gifts for your favorite ice cream fan.

The admission was a terrific bargain, just $4 for me, and the kids are free.

If you have ever heard of Ben & Jerry’s before, you probably already know that the company is pretty environmentally conscious, and they have been that way from the very start. Ben and Jerry learned how to make ice cream from a $5 class they took when they were in grade school. They were best friends from seventh grade gym class, and it’s amazing how far they have come, and the success they have achieved for that initial $5 investment. Can you imagine?

Truly one of the great American business stories.

As their success grew, they sold shares to Vermont residents to be able to afford a larger facility to meet their growing demands. The shareholders focused, both then and now, on product quality, social responsibility, and economic reward. Fair trade is a cornerstone to the company, and they aggressively promote opportunities for their employees to give back to their community, with employee-led community action teams that help local Vermont neighbors.

…

Visit: Brimfield Antique Show {Brimfield, Massachusetts}

May 20, 2015 · Narrative

Do you love antiques or are you a collector of something unusual? Then you must make your way to the Brimfield Antique Show. Held three times a year (May, July, and September), it’s a great way to decorate your house or add to a little collection.

I can’t even remember the first time I went to Brimfield, MA for the thrice-annual antique show, but the first time I blogged about it was TEN years ago! I am fairly certain we started going around 1997, because I have a vague recollection of buying things for my first (then) marital home. My mom and I went religiously every year for about ten years, and we had a solid tradition about our schedule, where we ate, and when we collapsed from exhaustion. Good times.

I haven’t been for the past few years, but this year I was determined to go. And did! Nick went once when he was two, so Madeline has, of course, never been. Hopping in the car (or on a plane or boat) in search of new adventure is one of my kids’ favorite things to do, so to say they were looking forward to going would be an understatement. They are such a fun pair to travel with. Well, to do anything with!

The antique show boasts over 5000 vendors and is quite the sight to see. Every time I go, I try and take a picture of the street lined with vendors, but you really can’t appreciate the sheer immensity of it unless you’re actually there. We left after school and work on Thursday and made it there in a record three hours, with no traffic. A minor miracle for sure.

…

Visit: Donut Dip {West Springfield, Massachusetts}

May 18, 2015 · Narrative

Find yourself in Massachusetts with a craving for donuts? Be sure to pop into Donut Dip.

Many, many years ago, I remember Rachael Ray saying on one of her shows, “If you want a recommendation on where to eat, ask a local.”

It’s something that stuck with me, and has served us well ever since. It led us to Jack’s BBQ when we were in Nashville last year, and last week, it took us to the Donut Dip in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

We were staying at a hotel nearby and we were looking for something quick and delicious for breakfast. As we were checking out of our hotel room, I asked the front desk clerk. She had just finished giving specific directions to the guest in front of me so he could find the “most delicious granola crusted French Toast,” so I knew she was just who to ask.

“Donut Dip. You will love it,” she said when I told her what we were looking for.

The place was hopping when we got there (just a short walk from our hotel), but despite the small size and amount of customers there, there was barely any wait for service.

But first … the smell. You could seriously smell it before we even walked in the doors.

In fact, it smelled so good that the kids walked in and said “I want to order whatever smells so good.”

Quite honestly, I don’t think it was one thing specifically, but more so everything together, but I’m betting the fresh made cider donuts were definitely leading the scent brigade. These same apple cider donuts are supplied to a local apple orchard as well.

So many donuts to choose from, thank goodness we don’t live closer.

…

Visiting Cabot {Waterbury, Vermont}

May 14, 2015 · Narrative

If cheese is your happy place (me! me!), and you find yourself in Vermont, be sure to plan a stop at the Cabot Annex in Waterbury.

Food was definitely one of our focuses during our Spring Break trip through Vermont. Not so much in dining experiences (only one meal out of our week there was actually noteworthy), but more so in diving into all the different food items that Vermont is known for.

One of our overnights was most definitely planned around a visit to the Cabot store in Waterbury, because, well cheese. And that day and night actually ended up being our favorite of the entire trip because nearly everything we had planned to visit, including our hotel for the night, was up and down the same street.

A fun orchard and general store. The Ben & Jerry’s ice cream outlet. An outpost for Green Mountain Coffee. And although we visited a different location, Lake Champlain Chocolates also has a spot there as well.

When I say our trip focused on food, I’m not kidding.

And that’s not a bad thing at all.

I brought a cooler. I was prepared.

So Cabot.

I am a big fan of their cheese, especially commitment to farmers and their legacy. They are wholly owned by the 1200 farms that produce their products, and they have a huge commitment to sustainability. All of which I knew about and embraced well before I started working with them a few years ago.

Starting a working relationship with them just made me love them even more.

…

Visit: The Vermont Country Store {Rockingham, Vermont}

April 20, 2015 · Narrative

A quaint store tucked into scenic Vermont and filled with old-fashioned awesomeness, The Vermont Country Store is a must-visit.

When I was researching things to do on our Spring Break trip to Vermont (and also when I asked for recommendations via Twitter and facebook), many people mentioned The Vermont Country Store, so it got quickly added to our list.

It was interesting to see how many of our local friends and family knew about this store, which has two locations, and meanwhile I was none the wiser.

During our week in Vermont, we ended up staying in three different hotels, traversing all over the state, and each time we headed off in a new direction, the stores’ locations all ended up being hours away from wherever we were.

Vermont is big, what can I say?

But on our last stop, I ended up getting us close enough to the Rockingham location.

Well, thirty minutes out of the way, but that was as good as it was going to get.

And once we pulled in, we knew it was worth it.

First of all, I mean, really with this Covered Kissing Bridge.

Once we stepped inside the store, it was like going back in time and revisiting a million things you have loved over the years.

Originally opened in 1946, it is modeled after old-fashioned General Stores of yesteryear.

Every kind of candy you grew up with (bagged and priced on the honor system).

…

Visit: Gatlingburg Space Needle {Tennessee}

April 13, 2015 · Narrative

Looking for a great view of the Tennessee landscapes and the beautiful Smoky Mountains? Be sure to visit the Space Needle in Gatlinburg.

I have to finish posting about the rest of our Tennessee trip so I can finally get all the photos off my phone and into a photo album. I think after today, there are three more posts and then we can finally close the book on Spring Break 2014.

When we visited the Ripley’s Aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg on our first night, I spied the Space Needle and asked one of the employees about it. I am all for visiting a place that would give us stunning views and photo opps.

I am not so much in for the height aspect, but sometimes you just have to suck it up.

So I did.

It was opened to visitors in 1969, and rises 407 feet in the air. After paying your admission, you take a short elevator ride to the top observation deck. Once there, you’re free to stay there as along as you want, and the views of downtown Gatlinburg, and, of course, the Smoky Mountains are amazing. When it was built, it was the second tallest tower in the state; it is now the fifth tallest.

There are many free view finders located around the 360 degree deck, and there is also quite a bit of history to read up on while you are there as well. The tower took over a year to make and weighs over four million pounds.

…

Visit: Knoebel’s Amusement Park {Elysburg, Pennsylvania}

April 1, 2015 · Narrative

Looking for a Spring Break adventure or a day trip to take with the kids? Consider Knoebel’s Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, a homespun park with something for everyone.

For Nick’s birthday for the past few years, he has opted to go away for an overnight with a friend (and his Mom and sister, of course, as well). A few years ago, it was to the Philadelphia area and we visited the zoo and CoCo Key. Two years ago, it was a trip to Dorney Park and the Lost River Caverns, and last year, it was to Knoebel’s.

Knoebel’s can best be described as a family-style amusement park, and this was our first time visiting. Like many theme parks, it has rides for every age level, something for little kids, and the scaredy cats, and many large coasters and thrill rides.

…