Marianne Stephen’s View in Vermont

Vermont. The state’s name conjures up visions of beautiful, scenic autumn views of varied

Fall colors, ski resorts, Maple Syrup, and Vermont cheeses. And, don’t forget the historical significance of the state steeped in its fields, old homes, small towns, and cities.

I never lived in Vermont, but have visited there, including the capital city of Montpelier and toured the downtown area. I loved it so much I told my husband I’d like to retire to an old, Victorian home or quaint colonial house there.

History: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Vermont Vermont wasn’t one of the 13 Original Colonies since, in 1776, it was still claimed as part of New Hampshire. Independent Vermont was created in 1777. Ethan Allen and others recruited an informal militia – Green Mountain Boys – to protect local interests. Vermonters took part in the American Revolution. Vermont became a state in 1791.

Tourism: Definitely a place to visit for sports such as skiing, lake/trout/ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowboarding. Hunting is also a big attraction. Visiting historical homes, colonial villages, covered bridges from the past, bring many tourists.

Vermont attractions: http://www.vtattractions.org/vermont_attractions.php Two listed, The Vermont Country Store and Vermont Teddy Bears Company are actually stores I’ve shopped in. Missed the Shelburne Vineyards and Magic Hat Brewing Company among others. Be sure to check Vermont by Seasons and Discover Vermont – Recreation and Nature for more details on hunting, skiing, etc.

Our family visited Santa’s Land, a quaint attraction geared toward children. Somehow, while at a playground area, my five-year-old wandered off and caused instant panic for us. We located her with a guard at a sugarhouse guard post and have never forgotten that brush with fear. My daughter just remembers walking away and finding the guard. My husband and I, however, remember anxious minutes of searching for her.

We also visited a few Cheese companies, never refused samples, and bought delightful cheeses. Visit http://www.vtcheese.com/cheesetrail.htm for a guide to Vermont farms/factories/outlets. You’ll love the sights and smell of different varieties of cheeses produced all over the state.

Who can resist the wonderful, sweet taste of Maple Syrup? Vermont is the largest producer of pure maple syrup in the world. Our family visited one of the many Sugarhouses and took a tour. We got to see maple being harvested from trees, watched how the Sugarhouse turned it into various products, had samples, and bought delicious products to bring home. Visit a Maple Sugarhouse: http://vermontmaple.org/open-year-round.php

Maple products include: granulated Maple Sugar for baking, Maple Cream spread, Maple Fudge, varied shaped Maple Sugar Cakes and Hard Maple Sugar Blocks.

Vermont weird stories: http://vermonter.com/weird-vermont.asp
Curse of Brunswick Springs: Ripley's Believe it or Not called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World" in 1984. To Abenaki American Indians, it is a sacred spot with natural healing powers. Any development/business attempted here, fails. http://www.vermonter.com/brunswick-springs.asp
Where is Ethan Allen, controversial Revolutionary War hero, buried? Under the eight-foot statue and the 35-foot granite column at Green Mount Cemetery in Burlington, VT? Excavations done in the area around Allen’s grave, based on the cemetery plot map, and found nothing at all. The truth is nobody really knows, for certain, where Ethan Allen is buried.
Vermont ghosts: Visit http://www.vermonter.com/haunted-vermont.asp
Former funeral home in Fairhaven. New owner lost tenants to ghosts haunting the remodeled embalming building.
Much more can be learned by visiting the sites listed above!

Marianne Stephens writes nonfiction and romance books. Visit her sites:

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Marianne-Stephens/e/B003NT0QSQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1317055586&sr=8-1

http://www.mariannestephens.net

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com

http://alldayallnightwritingdivas.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/AuthorMarianneS

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=62849416&trk=tab_pro

https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1518319389

Photo Credits to: Flickr: Diver Ken, National Garden Clubs, Amy the Nurse, Phoosh, klwatts, and ann-dabney’s photostreams