Oh Girlfriends, we’re going to have fun with this one. Last month our friends (and neighbors) Lowely and John suggested we all go on a Valentine’s getaway together, up to the big snow country of Vermont! What a good idea! Cozy fires, hot coffee drinks, flannel shirts, lots of barns (love barns, have a collection of barn photos, needed more!), Vermont maple syrup on our pancakes, who could ask for more? But there was more, there was a sleigh ride! And you’re coming along! So, here we goooooo! (It’s very long! Unhook the computer, take it to your sofa, get cozy with a cup of tea, and settle in for a virtual trip to luv-lee Vermont!)
MUSICA. It was, I admit, a wee bit hairy on the way up. There was a huge storm. It never stopped snowing and blowing from the second we hit the state line. Luckily Lowely and I were in the big back seat, sharing a cozy blanket, where we could see nothing, therefore could not comment on any sort of driving anomalies. Best for all involved. Trust being the main item of the day. We were strapped into a monster SUV of safety, which was filled with wonderful music! So there was lots of singing along. We had fun! Our map men did a great job, as I am reporting, now, alive, and back home, safe and sound, so it must be true.
And the snowplows were out in full force.
And when our windshield wiper stopped working, Joe popped out and fixed it! Because he can!
But it was gnarly sometimes. And did we mind? No, we just clicked away with our cameras! Lowely is a pastel artist and takes photographs for inspiration. I think some of our more out-of-focus photos look like paintings already! And I take pictures so I can show you! Look at this! Isn’t it beautiful?
I’m always in the mood to share the magic when I see it! I think I forgot how BEAUTIFUL Vermont is. Red barns and red brick chimneys with smoke curling into the white sky ~ softly painted clapboard houses, and everything polka-dotted with snow.
Not to mention old covered bridges, 104 of them in Vermont . . . the most in all of New England!
I liked this photo because of the juxtaposition between the rearview mirror, the bridge opening and the GPS screen. Visions and views, old and new.
Most of the buildings had good steep roofs, and here you can see why . . . the snow slides off in big sheets. Would not like to be under it when it happens! But, then again, it might be fun (if it doesn’t kill you!).
From right out my car window. Lowely and I were always teasing each other, I thought she had all the “good stuff” on her side, and she though I had it all! In this case, I was definitely the lucky one. But she probably had something just as good on her side, as you will see…. it’s all beautiful. Beginning to look a lot like Christmas, 🎶everywhere we go!
This homeowner put a pine-tree wind break around his house. Isn’t it cute? Talk about Christmas! Look at the tiny green building on the right. Snow on roof tops is very pretty! These people would never have to worry about a Christmas with no snow!
Had to be careful though. See that pole in the middle of the church? Didn’t want that in the picture, had to snap it at just the right time! Luckily the icy roads slowed the car down! Look below ⬇️, the graveyards were lovely. My favorite part about anywhere I go is the history, and Vermont is old and wonderful and filled with history of our country, and the people who built it, mostly of course, immigrants! AND, related to us, building America, fighting for our country in wars and buried here. See the little flag? 💝
Even the smaller barns had cupolas and weather vanes on top. Why? Because they can. It’s small-farm country around here, and beauty, little graces, which we see everywhere, seem to matter. I always appreciate efforts of home owners who make the world a more lovely place to be. They have such power and often don’t even realize it, they do it because that’s just who they are.💞
And it’s big-farm country too . . . and pride makes them choose blue and red paint to make the whole world brighter.
So we toodled along, taking pictures of everything. Besides wood, which was plentiful in all the local forests, they also used lots of brick for their buildings. This New England is as close to Old England as we can get in America!
Almost everyone has traded his wooden roof for one of these slippery metal ones where the snow can cause no water-intrusion problems for the homeowners.
Lots of the pick-up trucks come equipped with their very own snow plow! Smart! Taking no chances!
Sweet little log cabin in the woods. I will always be a lover of houses, all shapes and sizes.
Almost there! Our hotel is in Warren! In the Mad River Valley! Mad River, what a great name!
Just because it’s out of focus, doesn’t mean it isn’t wonderful! By the time we got to the hotel, it was around 5 o’clock, and we had fallen madly in love with the whole countryside. MAS MUSICA? Oui! Favorite travel musica!
We’re there!
And this is our hotel. The Pitcher Inn in Warren, Vermont. Plan ahead if you go there, because their hotel packages give a significant discount if you do! Romantic, perfect for Valentine’s, set in the smallest little town, but right in the middle of everything.❤️
Here’s the parking lot. With this darling little clock building in it, a converted barn we think is probably offices for the hotel.
And there’s our beast-like vehicle that got us here alive.
Here’s the view across the street.
Snowy Warren, Vermont, says, “welcome!”
Quite a cute little store attracting our attention across the street. Lit up with stars and twinkle lights. Looks like a country general store. Probably a good one. Note to selves, go here first thing in morning!
The hallway display on the way to our room.
Here’s the entrance, with a look into the dining room, and the stone fireplace far beyond. Every room had a fireplace of course.
Charming lighting in the hallway . . .
We unloaded our bags and went right down stairs to the cozy pub to drown our driving jitters in hot toddies and cold toddies and all the toddies in between!
Below, is one of the lovely views from our room. Note starry curtains.
And this was the ceiling. Painted with stars . . .
And this frightening thing with wild eagles on the posts, was our very comfortable bed, with ice cube light tables on both sides! You just never know!
And at the foot of the bed, this . . . a crackling fire made with white birch logs . . . Every night, or any time you asked, they would come and make you a real wood fire.
And this bathroom was SO good, I’ve never seen one like this. For anyone thinking about building a house, you might take a look at this! (The reflections from the windows behind me get in the way a bit, try to look past them.) For one thing, the entire floor is heated, 
including the tile in this glass room, which is totally enclosed, right up to the ceiling, with a glass wall and a glass door. On the left is the whirlpool tub (you see the bathroom counter in the reflection, but that’s the tub) ~ there are two shower heads, a really good drain in the heated non-slip tile floor, a steam control, so you can take a steam bath, and a little wooden seat on the right that folds down in case you are the sitting-steam-bath-shower type. It’s very possible to spend the day in this room. I couldn’t help but picture my mom, who could only bathe three kids at a time, (all that would fit in tub, with her on her knees getting soaking wet), putting herself and her babies in here for group shower! Would have been very handy!
From our room, looking across the street . . . colored lights. How could we not love this!
And here it is again, looking from their side back to our hotel . . .
Birch trees are snow art . . .
The dining room where we had breakfast every morning. Breakfast comes with your room: French toast or flapjacks and Vermont Maple Syrup, delicious coffee and ice-cold fresh-squeezed orange juice with all the delicious pulpy parts intact ~ poached eggs, all white and soft and juicy with yolk, and crunchy seedy toast, with jams and honey and every good thing, and so much more. Fruit and yogurt and granola too. . .
We were happy. Nicest guy waited on us. Remembered all our little preferences from day to day.
Then across the street we went through softly drifting snow to the “almost world famous” Warren Store, built in 1839 as a stagecoach stop, which, from all the action, people going in and out, seems like it’s probably the community center, both for locals and for our kind, the not-so-local, but-still-very-appreciative, too.
First thing I noticed, in all the cuteness of this store where they pretty much sell everything from groceries to home goods, clothing to champagne, with worn wooden floors, the fragrance of fresh coffee brewing, was the extremely hygge wood stove that you couldn’t help but cozy up to. (This store reminded me of the one in the wonderful movie Baby Boom, where Diane Keaton sold her Country Baby Food, remember? SUCH a good movie with a darling Vermont house in it, in case you haven’t seen it . . . you’d love it!)
These are my people. Lowely, Joe and John as we go upstairs to the WONDERFUL clothing store, where they also sell home things, like beautiful hooked rugs and pillows! I found a darling little wool vest up there.
Then there was this framed print hanging over the cash register that made me laugh. So much, I had to go home and show it to Jack, and this is what his face did:
Did someone mention ball? Wait a minute, does someone have my ball? Where is it …. you took it? You took it to Vermont and gave it to that strange zebra cat???? Jack was very confused.
They had children’s books too…isn’t this book cover adorable? Not to mention the play on words. Had to take a picture of this!
A label on a box of chocolates. Quite cute. Have I mentioned how much I love barns and lettering?
Then it was into the car, and back on the road for a day of serendipitous meandering. And more adorable red barns (just like the one on the chocolate box!).
If you really want to get in the mood . . . look at this old video. Because on the actual day of Valentine’s Day, this is what we’re going to be doing ourselves… eeek.
Store window in the neighboring, somewhat larger town, of Waitsfield. X’s and O’s for Valentine’s day.❤️
Across from where Joe was walking is this wonderful store, All Things Bright and Beautiful, on Bridge Street. Filled with stuffed animals, and glass and wooden ornaments. Gaelic, the woman who’s owned the shop for 52 years, was there, making her homemade wooden ornaments.
And there were these . . .
And these . . .
And this . . .
And on Gaelic’s art table, was a box, with a cat in it! A word of advice: resist temptation! Do not put your hand in the box with the cat. #wordtothewise
He is waiting for you to try it. He had me so riveted on him, I forgot to take a picture of Gaelic making her wooden ornaments . . . but Lowely took this picture of a wall display . . .
So now we know how she does it . . . Nothing is what you think it is. The work that goes into all the lovely things there are in this world is phenomenal. This just proves it.
Next to Gaelic’s store is this bridge, 2nd oldest in Vermont, hence “Bridge Street.”
We walked through it and around it, and on the far side, we looked across the snow meadow and there was this huge bonfire.
I know what my girlfriend Diana would say, she would say, “What would you do if you saw that?” Seemed like a pretty safe time to burn though, I could feel the heat from where I was standing. Had to video it!
XOX
See the snow coming down? All wonderful.
Perfect photo op.
And more meandering, more town, getting hungry . . .
Lunch started with a toast and four Bloody Mary’s!
Then more meandering . . .
Couldn’t drive past this sign . . .
Because what’s Vermont without cider and syrup, and these . . .
Legendary!
Cider donuts! Yum!
All kinds of goodies here . . .
Beautiful bottles ~ think I’ll get . . .
This! One Bourbon Barrel Aged Pure Vermont Maple Syrup for me, and, one for you!! Yes! A GiveAway! Just leave a comment at the bottom of this post (if you ever get there), and you’re IN!
Out, munching do-nuts, drinking cups of steaming hot cider, we slip into gallery, then back in the car . . .
for more red barns . . .
And green ones, and floaty snow flakes . . .
And picture-taking from open car windows . . .
It’s a big ski area up there . . . you may have heard of Sugar Bush and Mad River Glen . . .
And apparently golf is popular too! Though we did not see a lot of it going on!
The slopes were packed with brightly colored people!
The mountains are criss-crossed with ski runs and chair lifts . . .
And gondolas . . . to which, I say, thank you, but no thank you. My adventurous spirit, which brings me right to the edge, has its limits . . . I’m best in the lodge. With the cocoa. And the book. I can go, but drop me at the lodge and bring on the whipped cream.
Luckily, Map Man is right there with me . . . a lodge guy.
So, speaking of immigrants, we then arrived at the chalet of the famous singing Von Trapp Family (Yes, from The Sound of Music) who, with their ten children, left Austria just before WWII, and brought their American Dream to this gorgeous mountain top with the long views of Vermont and made it all come true.💞
They built this amazing ski lodge . . .
Always wanted to see this place and here we were. If you are a skier, I would say this would be a wonderful place to come stay. As you can see, it wasn’t all snow and blizzard while we were there, it was sunshine too!
Now a quick word about stars. Something about birch stars that the locals adore, because they are lit up and on everything. You may have noticed them on the Warren Store. Here are a few more photos to prove my point.
Upstairs and downstairs . . . I think they know that twinkles in the snow make magic! That’s why they do it!
And they are really everywhere . . . hanging from trees . . .
On barns . . .
All sizes . . . we think they make them from scratch from the trees in the woods . . .
Some more into it than others . . .
They don’t look store-bought, or uniform in size . . .
Little ones too. . . next to the cute blue door . . .
And even, or especially, in front of the wonderful New England churches . . . quite pretty. I could go on with stars, and restaurants and food and everything, but I think NOW is the time for the Main Event, our sleigh ride in the snow which I have been dreaming of doing for years . . . and now we finally did!!!!!! It was everything I hoped it would be for us four Valentines.❤️ And so nice to be able to take you Valentine’s along with us too!
“Gentle Giants” in Stowe, Vermont . . . that’s the name of the sleigh people, and there’s their phone number . . . just in cases.❤️
We brought champagne with us, for before we got out of the car, for a pre-sleigh-ride warm-up and toast to Valentine’s and our wonderful friendship. (BTW, want to taste the MOST delicious champagne, that does not give me a headache like all the others do, costs about 7 dollars a bottle and is from Trader Joe’s? It’s called Amour de Paris (good name), is peach flavored, and I tell you, it’s good cheap stuff. Very celebratory! Perfect for brunch! Yum! Write it down! You’ll love it!)
Now we are happy! 💖
Joe goes in to talk about what we do next!
I go toward the horse. Horse sees me!
He’s coming! I’m happy.
SO beautiful
Much friendlier than the kitty in the box! Note feet (mine) in snow. But totally warm. Uggs boots. Oh yeah, only way to go!
We had a bag of apples and we forgot them! Don’t let this happen to you!
Boys… while we’re waiting . . . (Hay truck, make a wish!)
So you can see. This is the basic lay of the land. That little red house in the middle, the smallest one, was where Joe was talking to Rochelle our sleigh driver . . . and there’s the horse Lowely was petting off on the left. Isn’t it pure heaven there?
Lots of lovely horses here . . .
xoxoxoxo
So here’s “Jack” (another Jack, they are everywhere these days), our horse, being hooked to his sleigh. See how smart he is, when Rochelle asks him to move he does it in just the right tiny increment she was asking from him. I was thrilled when Rochelle put on the bells. I was so hoping there would be bells.
John is bringing his blanket. It belonged to his grandfather, we’ve had it in the back seat for the whole trip, and it’s definitely coming on the sleigh ride! Right, Lowely? Right!
And here we are, loaded up and ready to go. They wrapped us in furry red blankets. We are toasty and warm, and just a few small flakes are coming down. It’s perfect. We’re really doing this!
XOXO
Here we go! Under the covered bridge . . . !
Look at Rochelle. Isn’t she the perfect sleigh driver? Her hair color is wonderful!!!! This is one of my favorite photos of our whole trip! I could paint her!
So into the pristine white woods we go, cold and crisp . . . see all those branches? That’s what you make those stars from!
As we walked along, we noticed there were lanterns hanging from the trees . . .
While watching little blobs of snow fall out of the trees and turn to powder in the breeze, I said to Rochelle, “How fun, do you go out in a sleigh at night?”
(See the lantern?) She laughed, and said, “No, we just put them there so you’ll think we do!” I’m confused. Is she messing with me? I’m a perfect stranger. There were candles in there! I still don’t get it! 😜
We were out there for about a half hour ~ we saw these cross-country skiers go by . . .
And one other sleigh . . . which was fun, because then we could see how cute we looked!
Delightful. You should do this if you can. Must be sleigh rides all over snow country no matter where you are. Imagine, if you are Louisa May Alcott, this is how you travel in the snow, not because you’re a dreamer per se, but because it’s your only choice after walking. And this is how you go to Boston too. And take your book, Little Women to the Publisher to see if they want to print it! Which of course they do! ❤️ It wasn’t so long ago that everyone traveled like this, so all of Beacon Street would be sleighs and horses in the snow. This is one moment I’d like to slip back in time and take my camera with me.
They understand the value of RED in the snow. ❤️
But way too soon we were heading back for the covered bridge . . . Yes, we were singing Winter Wonderland to go with our sleigh bells ~ even Rochelle was singing with us. She must have heard people do that a thousand times, because you just can’t help but break into song. Never was there a more appropriate time to sing that song!
Time to go! ❤️
But not before a Valentine’s Kiss.😍 This was our 30th Valentine’s Day together. So lucky to be loving him.🎶 Came a long, long way to do it.
And good bye to Rochelle. One of the many things I liked about her, is how good she is with her horses. She takes wonderful care of them.💞
Back in the car once again, with back-row seat view to everything.
More wonderful scenery, colors in the snow…
Stars and frozen roads . . .
and luv-lee graveyards . . .
And road views . . .
Another truly delicious dinner, this time at the Common Man, just FANTASTIC. I have the menu, I took pictures of the food, I could show it all to you and go on (I was going to say “all day” but it’s already been all day!) and I’m afraid you may want to reclaim your life now!
So here’s our last glimpse of the winter sun . . .
Before we hit the road, because the blizzard started right up for our ride home. And the four friends were on the road again.🤞Fingers crossed for safety!
We stopped here at King Arthur Flour on the way home, a place Lowely and I had always wanted to see. Really interesting, they have classes there ~ would love to do that sometime, and lots of good stuff in the gift shop! But, blizzardsville, USA.
This was our boat ride home. The snow had stopped. It had been raining. We looked outside to this really strange sky. Finally went outside after remembering, “No, the windows on this boat aren’t tinted.” It was that under the total cloud cover, somewhere up there, must have been a gorgeous sunset, that made it’s way to earth in a giant, and I don’t get to say this often, Purple Haze!
HOME SWEET HOME, with Jackie cozying up to the heart dishtowel I bought at King Arthur Flour. What a wonderful time we had. Got a lot done in a very short time! We left on Sunday, drove all day, had Monday and Tuesday to Play, and came home on Wednesday.❤️ Perfect! Only 2 pounds heavier! Could be worse!
Hope you enjoyed our trip! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re interested in some Vermont Maple Syrup! Be sure to heat it up before you pour it over your waffles or pancakes or French toast! Hot syrup melts butter, yum, rivulets! And, come again soon . . . next week we leave on the train for a cross-country trip out to California to be with my mom on her Birthday! Very excited. Will “Twitter from the Twain” along the way! Lots to tell you about still, but enough is enough is what I say! Love you! Byeeee! P.S. Here are some interesting facts about Vermont I’m sure you would love to know!❤️
Loved it! Absolutely loved it! Thanks for taking me along! Several years ago I got my wish… to see Vermont in winter! Makes me long to go back…!
It’s so beautiful! I love looking at snow, but sure do hate shoveling it. And birch stars–I learned something new.
I will say, though, that there are a lot of place in the mid-Atlantic that look like England. Not the weather, but the houses and gardens
.
I had to laugh about the kitty in the box. Yep, its *always* a trap! Don’t fall for it. And never touch the tummy or the feet, no matter how much they entice you with their innocent-looking fluffiness.
Such a fun and lovely time you had, and just in time for the big snow. Thanks for the giveaway I love maple syrup.
Wonderful, thank you for sharing every detail! Have to say, I am not a big syrup fan (my first job bring being bussing tables in a pancake house🥞!), but this absolutely made me want to visit Vermont! Love King Arthur Flour too, will not bake my breads with any other!
LOVE your blog! I will read/view this again and again. Sure makes me want to go there. Thank you for sharing!
Ooooh that was wonderful ! I love Vermont ! We have a daughter that lives near Peterborough ….. in New Hampsha. Where I live here in Indiana, in our county we have 33 covered bridges….in October the entire county puts on a ten day festival. Lots of antique stores….it is lovely. You should come…..you could stay with us……our living room is a log cabin built in 1826…..open invitation……hope the CA trip is grand…. luv to u both.
Love Indiana! Where’s the festival?
Rockville about 60 miles due west of Indy. Almost to Illinois
Sounds like something I would like!
Besides Rockville, the festivals are also in Bridgeton and Mansfield. All three towns are very close to each other. The one in Bridgeton is HUGE! We live about 25 miles south and make a few trips there each season. The festival lasts for nearly two weeks. There are also many many yard and barn sales throughout the whole area. There is something for everybody there! If you go on line, check out Park County Covered Bridge Festival in Indiana. It is always in mid October.
Thank you! I wrote it down!
I loved EVERYTHING about this blog entry. I have always wanted go on a sleigh ride!
And I think taking a class at King Arthur Flour sounds like a fine idea for next year’s adventure!
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful trip to Vermont with us! I’ve wanted to go there for a long time and now I want to go even more! I know it takes a lot of time and work for you to share with us and I am very grateful! Many blessings!
Oh Susan, this is all so beautiful and amazing! Thank you for sharing this Vermont winter wonderland with us. Brrrr! We drove south on the 101 today from San Luis Obispo to home and it was awful ~ windy and pouring rain. Took an extra few hours. I thought of you and hope things are drier and sunnier when you’re here. We stayed at the Apple Farm too, so darling! Anyway, glad you’re home and we’re home. ❤🏠
Love the long posts, they are well worth waiting for! Thank you for a glimpse of the country that I’ve never seen. It was lovely!
Thank you for the lovely trip to Vermont. We’re longing for winter here in Wisconsin…no snow, it was 60 today, so your post was delightful. It brought back memories of my first trip East in 1979 with a dear girlfriend, when we visited Stowe and the Von Trapp home. Ahhh…the towns tucked in the hillsides, barns, churches, bridges, and maple syrup like no other! Thank you for the trip back in time.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for taking us along on you Valentine’s getaway..
Enjoyed your lovely pictures and the sleigh ride.
I would love to visit Vermont someday! Maybe at the height of leaf season! How much snow did you get?
Oh Susan, I just loved coming along on this special trip with you! Everything was most beautiful; the barns, the stars, the snow, the bridges and the horses. Several of your photos would be perfect for Christmas cards. Thank you for taking us along. A lovely Valentines Day trip!!
Thank you for taking us along on your trip to Vermont. I have never been, now would love to go! Glad your Valentine’s was a happy one.
It was just like a dream from all our favorite sleigh ride movies. I could feel how happy it made you. Of course, it would snow! and have sleigh bells, too! It had to. . just for you, fairy tale girl. *~*~*~*~* It made it all the more magical.
I’ve always had this on my Christmas list, but still haven’t done it. Now I know just where to go. Your life is inspiring!
Happy Love Month, Susan! Thank you for bringing us along.
Thank you for taking us along on your magical Vermont trip!💕 Shirley
Haha! I went skiing once and definitely was best in the lodge with the cocoa! Thankfully, my best friend was with me and felt the same! Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing with us! Would love to go sometime!
Loved this post so much, Susan. I have only been to Vermont in the summer but would love to go in the winter. Looks like you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
-Kathleen
Thank you for the virtual trip to Vermont. That’s probably the closest I’ll ever get! I’m in Colorado, but down on the plains, where the snow has been very stingy this winter. Not a sleigh in sight.
Oh, Susan!
Old red barns in the falling snow, historic covered bridges, colorful old homes, French toast with Vermont maple syrup, birch stars twinkling in the night, quaint shops filled with New England charm, four best friends,… and a sleigh ride with jingle bells!!!! It was a perfect Valentine’s Day celebration of LOVE!! I’m so happy that you could have this old-fashioned adventure in winter wonderland… and so grateful that you brought us all along to share in the fun!!
Warmest hugs and much love,
Dawn (in Illinois)
Dear Susan, such a beautiful post. I really appreciate all the detail and the photos. It was truly a vicarious vacation…more like a dream come true! With all the sad, sorry news as of late, I so needed a “life goes on” post. Today, with the appointment of an Oklahoma being named head of the EPA, it was a nail in the coffin. My husband, who is an avid fly fisher and advocate for clean, safe water, said naming this guy was like the buying a fox guarding the hen house! Well I could go on and on. Mostly, thanks for the post and ur honest expression. Love and best wishes, Becky in Oklahoma where the Red Bud, daffodils, and Forsythias are blooming!
Susan, I haven’t read this blog yet but I have to talk about A Place To Call Home. You’re the only other person I know who is watching it or has seen it because my husband doesn’t like it and isn’t watching me with it. I just have to say that I cannot bear what they are doing to James! I almost can’t even watch it! 😭 I guess it’s all I can say because lots of the girlfriends haven’t seen it, but I had to vent! I am on episode three of season two. Love from Mary S. in Fresno CA
James is heaven. Things get better for him. It was the times! Thank goodness it’s better now. Wish it was even better than that!
Yes, I agree, season two was nearly impossible to watch. Such a horrific “treatment”; but things do get better again 🙂
*isn’t watching it with me!
Thank you for this. I have been having a rather abysmal winter and this has really cheered me up. You are so gracious and generous in sharing your life online with us. So many of us get to live vicariously through your adventures. Thank you, again. ✨💖✨💕✨❤️✨
Just have to say you have the best life!! Together 30 years and still having fun! My you’re blest! You seem to know that, thanks for sharing the excitement so someone like me can enjoy through your adventures!
I’m a recent transplant to Florida, but am a native Michigander! I so enjoyed seeing & reliving the beautiful snowy landscapes. Believe it or not I do miss the snow & the cozy evenings of snuggles. What I don’t miss is driving in the snow & ice. You were very brave! Thanks Susan for sharing Vermont & the wonderful adventure the four of you went on.
Oh my–Vermont should pay you for making a travel Vermont video! When my son was about 10 (he’s now 37), our family stayed at a B&B on the Mad River, and we went swimming in it (of course, it was in August). I remember that big General Store in Waitsfield. Vermont is even prettier in the SNOW! Your sleigh ride looked perfect—must put that on my bucket list!
Getting ready for bed but thought I would check in for a new blog…..so glad I did. I took notes as I always do with your vacations. This was a Susan Branch weekend if I ever saw one….cozy, warm and charming. Thank you for taking us with you, once again. Safe travels and it touches my heart you get to visit your mom…..very lucky girl. How I miss doing so.
XO
Mary
Loved going along on your trip while all comfy and warm with a cuppa in my EB mug. What a dreamy Valentines Day!! Psst… We have twin coats – I just never get to use mine here in Texas.
Oh, I loved coming along with you! This is my first visit to your blog and so glad. I grew up in New England and now I am home-sick, but so good to see the beauty of a New England winter once more. Looks like you all had the most wonderful time. xx Karen
Oh, what can I say! Loved every minute and not one photo too long! Such a nostalgic trip back “home”. I agree with Carrie, impossible to comment on all the photos! Every one is perfect. And the snow, snow, snow!! Just wonderful. I do think the sleigh driver was putting you on!! A little Yankee humor there!! Of course they must go for night sleigh rides under a full moon. Who wouldn’t?!! Thank you so much for taking us along on this incredible, romantic, magical getaway. Just perfect!! xoxoxo
Magical Valentine’s celebration! How very beautiful is Vermont, the barns and covered bridges are my favourites. … And the sleigh ride .. Perfect!
Pat in South Africa xxx
What a wonderful get away. I love little trips like that! Have a safe trip to California. The weather has been pretty wild around here. Trees blowing down all over, including our front yard. Luckily nothing was damaged. Hopefully it will be sunny California by the time you get here.
Covered bridges, sleigh ride and snow! Three things I have never experienced but reading about your trip made me feel like I was right there with you!
What a lovely long post. And Frank Sinatra! And a sleigh ride! And charming villages with snow and darling houses! And covered bridges! And did I mention snow? What a fun road trip. Thanks for sharing!
Your trip to Vermont has brought back so many wonderful memories of my own road trips there with my best friend Evy. In our meandering we discovered the tiny village of Peacham.At the quaint general store there, an English lady introduced us to her incredible, homemade biscotti. What a treat! So many years ago, but I still remember the incredible taste.Many years ago I got to meet Maria Von Trapp (the daughter) when she came here to Annapolis for a book signing.What a privilege and honor that was. Thanks for sharing your trip ~ what fun and how romantic! My Valentine passed away four months ago and I miss him so very much…
Okay, my tea got cold! I was so excited to see your trip that I pulled out my new AAA tour books and checked out all the towns and references you mentioned. Because in October, I am going on a New England Fall Tea Tour and will see many of the same places you showed us!!! I think we are staying a couple of nights at the von Trapp Family Lodge, and maybe even at the B&B where you were. For sure we are going to Waterbury to visit the Ben and Jerry’s Factory tour and also to King Arthur’s Flour, among other quaint places in NH and Maine. So although I hope there won’t yet be snow for our trip : ) , thank you, thank you, thank you for the preview!!! And I would love to win some maple syrup…thank you for sharing your special Valentine’s Day adventure!
Thanks Susan for a wonderful ride along with you and friends!
I loved all the houses in the snow. The house colors are great contrast
to the white, white snow. A great ❤️trip.
Susan, Thanks so much for the fantastic trip you took me on. Loved seeing all the snow and quaint towns and countryside. We have had no snow in the Chicago area this year. Very odd indeed. And I have always wanted to go on a sleigh ride. You always seem to manage to do what I want to do but you always do it first. Thanks for all your inspiration!
What a fabulously romantic Valentine’s trip. I am originally from NY and we would often take day trips to Vermont from our home in upstate NY. I loved the antique stores, and tiny shops, and yes….apple cider and donuts! I recognize the church you posted the picture of. You make me yearn to go back! Have you ever visited the Shaker Hancock museum in Massachusetts? I bet you would enjoy visiting that if you haven’t already. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures!
Oh, Susan, I did the same thing as Carrie, but then decided to take notes. I quite after realizing I was writing too much and enjoying it less. I started over and took much delight in… briefly…the barns, bridges, buildings, blizzard, blazing fire, beverages, bakery, beautiful VonTrapp Family Chalet (followed the link and was trapped hee hee there for a while), bright stars everywhere, bells, blankets and, of course, your Valentine kiss with your beau…all making for a beautiful blog. Hmmm….school memories of finding the letter of the week everywhere. Must be “B” week somewhere. Yes, it’s getting late and I’m getting punchy! Oh, and the Vermont facts was fun.
Wishing you a safe trip and your mother a very ♪♪Happy Birthday♪♪
Byeee for now…..
What a treat! I was born and raised in Hawaii, but many years ago I began to dream about visiting Vermont. We haven’t made it there yet, so I really enjoyed seeing Vermont through your eyes as you shared your Valentine’s Day getaway…picture perfect views of snow covered roads, red and green barns, white houses and churches, twinkling cedar stars, cider donuts, beautiful horses, your sleigh ride…sooo much eye candy! Mahalo (Thank you), Susan. xoxo
I have been visiting Vermont for 27 years- since I met my husband and every trip but one has been in the summer. I have been to Cold Hollow and eaten those yummy donuts and seen Stowe in all of its GREEN glory. After this post, I think I need to visit my MIL (she lives in Grand Isle VT) in the winter and take that sleigh ride. It looks lovely!
Oh Susan, you have just experienced the one and ONLY thing on my bucket list–a sleigh ride in the snow and the horses HAVE to have those wonderful old sleighbells. My daughter actually found me a single old sleighbell which she gave me for Christmas one year. I keep it next to me on the table next to the couch and if I close my eyes and ring it, I can imagine I’m on that dreamed of sleigh ride! Thanks for this wonderful post!
Like you, I love every Vermont home I see. So much history in those homes. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Wow! I so admire your love of all seasons. I love the beauty of winter but not the cold and am always wishing for suumer! Almost 70 degrees in Denver today but looking at your beautiful post made me want to be in Vermont! Thanks for the trip–it was lovely!
well, I really feel like I was on your Valentine adventure with you! thank you for the plethora of pictures…….you really made it real!! Thanks, Susan, for another great experience!
Truly a winter wonderland. Being with those you love made it even more special.
Loved, loved, loved this wonderful blog, and love all the happiness and uplifting and inspiration you fill our lives with- a big heart felt thank you –
Lovely, really very lovely. I especially liked all the charming houses & the barns. I’m in love with old barns. Thank you for sharing this delightful adventure of yours with all of us.
What a wonderful trip you took us into! It was pure delight. Vermont is beautiful, both in summer when it is green like its name says, and in winter when it is all white and winter wonderland! I loved seeing every place you’ve seen, what a feast for the eyes! You are lucky to have a lover and friends that share this passion for that kind of trip and places and houses! It was a perfect Valentine’s Day, a perfect celebration of friendship! Thank you for sharing!
Such a delightful experience you 4 had together! The charming town and beautiful farms and barns along the way, how perfect. A sleigh ride through bright snow with bells tinkling simply makes me smile…
☃️ What a lovely peaceful trip. Vermont looks as charming as I’d imagined it. Safe travels as you head out west! 🌺🦋🌈
Oh! What an enchanting Valentines’s Day you all had! The photos are a wonderful treasure that you have shared with us! Thank you Susan!!
Such a lovely post. Here I was feeling a little sorry for myself because I couldn’t go to King Arthur on the 11th as I had hoped (for a pierogie class). I had too much schoolwork to do. But, I got to go to Vermont today!! Such a lovely ride in the snow. And the cider doughnut was delicious. Much as I would love to win the maple syrup, I hope that someone who does not live in the Northeast has a chance to taste “the real thing”. Once you’ve had it, you just can’t settle for anything else. Speaking of which, I made the pancakes in the Black Dog cookbook for dinner last night- with warm maple syrup of course. Hopefully whoever wins the prize reads this and knows that the syrup is best if warmed first. So glad that you and Joe, and your friends, made it home safe and sound. Wishing you a wonderful and safe train ride to visit your Mom. Birthday kisses to her from all of us
What a lovely trip, thank you for taking us all along too!
We have a beautiful sunlight snowy day here and the children have been having a wonderful winter holiday, skating and sledding all week.
What a wonder-filled, magical trip! All of you looked like you were having so much fun, and as though you didnt mind the cold….could it be that you were warmed by a few hot toddies? Haha. I felt I was right there with you in the sleigh and snow. We are having temps in the 50’s here in WA, and it is difficult to keep in mind that it is winter. My Wisteria and lilacs are showing signs of popping back to life….too soon! I think you and Joe have to be one of the cutest couples I have ever seen, and I love your life. Thank you for taking the GF’s along for the ride!
Happy to have you Diane~glad you enjoyed Vermont! We planned ahead and really wore a LOT of layers, so we weren’t cold, and that made all the difference!
Oh! My! Susan ~~~ this leaves me almost speechless! What a treat. I read it last night on my tablet, but can’t comment from there, so it was sweet dreams all around ~ what a gorgeous way to end the day for me! All night long I dreamed of snow filled landscapes and silver bells ringing as we bobbed our way along through a landscape filled with Currier and Ives, or Charles Wysocki houses, churches, and buildings ~~~ and covered bridges are the icing on the snowy landscape cake!
I simply cannot pick a favourite thing {well, maybe actually the cake donuts ~ lol!} It’s all just my idea of heaven {and brought back so many memories of how it was driving in Iceland for about six months each year where we had the sort of snow from which dreams are made between October to April!}
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond in Wales~~~Deb xoxo
With tea and husband sat down to feast on quaint, lovely Vermont mit musica. Words can’t express how we both appreciated going along on your adventure. Bless your kindness and thoughtful prose, photos…even had a sing a long with Time after Time♥ Looking forward to Train trip! My heart is more hopeful, blessed with the beauty shared♥ xoxo
Thanks for sharing. I loved every bit and piece of your trip. Your gift with words makes me feel like I was right there with you. We have not had any snow so to speak in Maryland so all the pictures made me fell like I have experienced winter this year. It was all like magic!
Blessings to you and Joe on your anniversary.
Loved every picture and discription. Making plans to go to the van trapp lodge this spring. And we are from Florida! All because of you!
Amazing views, I can only imagine how wonderful it will be in the spring.
What a lovely trip.. Oh how I wish I was there. And I do love real maple syrup. Thank you Susan
Oh dear Susan you always inspire me and remind me of all the magic in the world.
Thank you so much for taking me on another one of your magical trips. And also for reminding me of how wonderful love can be.
Xoxoxo
My pleasure Dolores, happy to see you here!
I have ALWAYS wanted to go on a sleigh ride!! Thanks for taking me there! It is on my bucket list… Love sleigh bells too! Their sound is truly magic. What a lovely way to start my morning here in South Carolina!
Happy you enjoyed it Marie! xoxo
Welcome to Vermont Susan, Joe and friends…I live in Vermont a little south of where you were but I stayed snug in my home. I have view of the mountains where you were in Warren and Stowe. My daughter Prudence was a teacher at the Warren Elementary School for 13 years. When my granddaughter was a little newborn she and Prudence portrayed Baby Jesus and Mary in the live Nativity at that adorable Warren Church. My son in law worked at Sugarbush. What a magical journey you took us on Those stars! Seeing it from your view was priceless. Hope you get back in summer or fall. There is a beautiful walk/bike trail in Stowe and right at the bridge in Waitsfield and all along the Mad River you can stop and swim and picnic. Much love and happy travels to beautiful California
Cathy in Vermont
WOW! I saw Baby Boom years ago and Vermont has been on my bucket list since then. And a sleigh ride would be wonderful. In Louisburg Kansas is the Louisburg Cider Mill where you can get fresh pressed hot or cold cider and cider donuts…. just wonderful! Love all the photos…what a great Valentines Day for you!
O Susan, thank you so much for sharing your magical Valentine’s getaway with us! I loved every word and photo and have now added Vermont to my Bucket List!
Spectacular! Thank you for sharing your trip/trips with us. Have a wonderful visit with your mom and family. Safe travels.
Susan, next time you take a trip somewhere, anywhere, can I carry your bags for you? Please…pretty please…?
LOL, maybe in a few years! (Just kidding, but thank you for the sweet offer! Glad you can come along virtually!)
A wonderful early Saturday morning enjoying your trip! Thank you! Hoping for our own trip back to New England in June – celebrating our 50th anniversary!
Oh Susan, I have wanted to do this for YEARS! My late husband and I had talked about it but sadly he passed away before we got the chance. Reading about your trip made me feel like I was right there! Absolutely loved it. Thank you so much! I so enjoy your blog and your books with your charming art!
Isn’t Vermont wonderful! My brother lives there and drives over a covered bridge every day to get home!
Probably thinks it’s normal! And all the rivers are white with snow right now. . . Spring thaw must be glorious.
Thanks for the wonderful pictures of SNOW!!!! Here in central Iowa we’ve barely had a few inches all winter – and I miss it – (whispering this – dear husband is not such a fan). Yesterday it was 75 here – broke records –
but got to take a forest hike saw white tail deer and squirrels everyone is moving around again and looking a little rumpled (shedding winter coats).
I LOVE your travel blogs they are never long enough – never worry about the length we are faithfully reading every word!!
What an amazing, wonderful trip. I love the birch stars everywhere. Where I live (Stoke-on-Trent, UK) just down the road from my house there is what used to be the Duke of Sutherland’s estate. It’s now called Trentham Estate and they have beautiful gardens designed by Capability Brown. The point I’m coming to is that they have classes where you can learn to make sculptures for your garden from fallen wood. They start you off on Stars! Having seen all of these lovely ones in this post, I’m definitely going to have a go. Also, thank you so much for the chance to win the maple syrup. Thanks for this post Susan. I’ve really enjoyed reading it.
What a fun and beautiful trip to Vermont! I love all that snow and the sleigh ride and the twinkle lights! My husband is from Vermont but we have only visited in the summer — now you have me thinking I need to see it in the snow, too!
Dear Susan,
Love love love the winter and snow! Lucky you two, so romantic a sleigh ride. We’ve had snow last weekend and I’ve made snowmans with the kids. Today it looks like spring the birds are singing and its a warm Sunny day, saw the first crocus in bloom (a yellow one)it put a smile on my face, in the garden.
lots of love from the Netherlands!
xoxo Willemien
Loved King Arthur Flour. Hubby and I enjoyed lunch and shopping there in October, 2015. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos. We live near the Bridges of Madison County (Iowa). They have intrigued me for sixty years – long before they were ‘famous’.
I’ve been to Vermont once many, many years ago when our 4 kids were little, little. But what I remember about Vermont were the TREES!!! They were everywhere!! Yes, we have trees here in Virginia…but these TREES in Vermont…there’s no describing my memory of them. It made me want to make a tree quilt because I’d seen a pattern. I always wish I’d followed through. Sooo enjoyed going with you on your trip!
Oh my goodness! As I was reading I kept thinking..”Oh, I have to tell her that is my favorite picture!” and then the next picture and the next were my favorite and I finally lost track! I LOVED them all and now I want to go—I must put it on my list. I did like all the pictures Lowely took of you taking pictures. Her name is unique–would she let you divulge how she got said name? Thanks so much for taking us along again! Oh….and the stars…must make some for next winter!
Oh my goodness…what a perfect trip and wonderful time ! My dear husband has always wanted to go on a REAL sleigh ride…I am noting the information for someday – thank you ! Cozy, cozy, cozy…the whole post !
So beautiful! I needed a trip—thanks for inviting me, Susan!
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful Vermont trip – I’m not a big fan of snow but your pictures made me want to consider a winter trip to Vermont. Also love the house pictures – though my favorite picture is of the pine tree wind break. I’ve actually saved it in my pictures with, of course, your name attached.
And I would absolutely buy the same bottle of maple syrub.
Thank you for the snowy trip. I loved it. I live in Fl and actually caught a chill looking at the pictures and reading your post. I always love the trips you take us on!
Ah, Vermont. I used to live in MA, 5 minutes from the VT border. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! There’s nothing like VT maple syrup! Thanks for sharing, Susan.
Thank you Susan for the delightful Valentine’s Day vacation in snowy Vermont! I’ve not had the pleasure of being in VT in the winter; only summer and fall. A friend of mine gave me a sleigh ride (with bells on) in a snowy field here in NJ — it was so much fun! I have several Bucket List adventures still to cross off — a visit to King Arthur Flour; a visit to Gardner’s Supply; and a visit to the Vermont Country Store. We had the good fortune to meander around Peacham, in the Northeast Kingdom, on a beautiful fall day and found the wonderful Peacham Country Store. We’ve enjoyed Burlington and Brattlebough, but we’ve never made it to Stowe — another stop on my bucket list. I spent Valentine’s Day hosting our Annual Chocolate Chip Day at the Library….picture anything and everything chocolate! It all started years ago when a bunch of us decided to each take a chocolate chip cookie recipe from an article in Family Circle, bake it, and bring it in… YUM! We’ve been celebrating the mighty chocolate chip ever since!
P.S. I’m starting the 2nd season of A Place to Call Home — love it! Even my husband is enjoying it. Thanks for telling us about this gem!
JoAnne, from snowy, but getting warmer this weekend, northwest NJ
So beautiful! Looked so romantic and magical!
Looks like a wonderful trip!
Thank you for such a lovely post! It was great to travel alongside with you on your Vermont adventure!
Thank you, Susan! What a gift this post is! We visited the Von Trapp Lodge this past Autumn…the colors were magnificent…but nothing compares to birch stars and SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!! Love it!
Picture Perfect. Have always wanted to go to Vermont. Barns, shops, sleigh rides. Lovely getaway.
Picture Perfect. Have always wanted to go to Vermont. Barns, shops, sleigh rides, King Arthur”s. Lovely getaway.
Oh delight of the heart! Another vacation with Susan and Joe through the snow draped woods, winding along narrow roads past dreamy, cozy homes, blinking stars and strands of lights, wood fire places, red barns, jingling bells, kisses in the snow, views out of lacy curtained windows, blurred passing of time that was a thrill to be part of. Thank you once again for a wonderful trip! Best of all, enjoy the train to California and your mother’s birthday celebration! Love!
Loved the photos and your Valentine journey! As a transplanted Northerner, now living in the South, your pics remind me of the things I miss about winter. There are a lot of things I don’t miss about it! But very glad to take the trip down memory lane along with you and see the charming Vermont Best of Winter charm. You have a way of getting to the joy of life and it reminds me to do the same. Thanks!
Enjoyed this trip with you. Great pictures.
What a fun getaway…thank you again for sharing your adventures with us! Vermont is definitely a place I now want to visit…you convinced me it is a place I would love~I hung your Valentine towel in my kitchen February 1st~you know, the towel that says I love you I love you I love you+the two blue love birds kissing…those love birds remind me of you and Joe and your sweet Valentine’s Day smooch😘
Oh Susan,
I could have had hours of the beauties of Vermont!!! I was there once in late Summer.
The stars in the midnight sky were like a blanket over our heads. Loved, loved, loved
it. Hope to return some day soon and since seeing all your lovely pictures in
Winter would be my choice. My daughter lives in Rhode Island so we must plan
this very soon. Thank you so much for all the beauty you add to my “dreaming
days”. Donna G.
Well, I am now inspired to visit Vermont! My favorite picture was of the ski lodge where the snow on the buildings and landscape, but completely cleared from the stone driveway, looked so perfect that it seemed like it had to be fake!
You were right. I took a loooong time to read this post, listen to the music links, click on the inn and restaurant links, etc. It was a most beautiful weekend. Thanks for sharing it with us. Clicked on the Common Man menu and got stuck trying to decide between the halibut (all-time favorite) or the roast chicken (gravy!). Frank singing “Time After Time”! Good choice. Meanwhile, the daffodils in my front yard are ready to burst into bloom. So no sleigh rides for us but a touch of Spring is just as welcome. Would love to have the syrup, too!
Great post, Susan!
Oh, I forgot to mention those Bloody Marys! Perfect ending to your day. One of my favorites, as well. I think I’ll have to have one tonight. ;-D
I had the halibut, and Joe had the chicken, and we were both very happy!
Loved this post! My father grew up in Foxboro and went to college at Middlebury. We live in NW Montana and when my parents first came to visit he said our area reminded him of Vermont (except we have bigger mountains!) and now I see why he said that. So fun to see the birch stars, I have been making those for a few years and give them to friends at Christmas. One other thing was seeing the VonTrapp lodge. My husband is a builder and his friend Stefan VonTrapp does a lot of beautiful rock work for him in the landscape design for his homes. Stefan’s father was the youngest VonTrapp boy. Stefan and Annie’s four children used to tour the world singing the “Sound of Music” songs and wearing traditional Austrian dress. They are now in their late twenties and have moved on to other things! Sorry for the long comment but this post really touched my heart with lots of good memories of my parents.