It's official. We are coming to you live from the Charlotte Public Library located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This means I am officially on SUMMER BREAK and Matt and I are reunited ... and it feels so good! (haha) As I mentioned in a previous post, it has been one hell of a winter. Not only was this a bitter long historic winter, Matt and I suddenly had a long-distance marriage as he was assigned to his next project: Vermont Smoke & Cure. Fortunately for us my profession allows me to enjoy summers off and we have been counting down to the last day of school since February. FEBRUARY! Well - we are finally here and we cannot wait to update everyone on all the adventures we have up North...
Since I last posted I packed my bags, visited my niece & saw my brother's new home, and headed up North for one of the best weekends of the summer - Fourth of July! I arrived late on Wednesday night to two of my favorite things: Cheese Popcorn and Cabernet. I seriously have the best husband.
Since I last posted I packed my bags, visited my niece & saw my brother's new home, and headed up North for one of the best weekends of the summer - Fourth of July! I arrived late on Wednesday night to two of my favorite things: Cheese Popcorn and Cabernet. I seriously have the best husband.
As I unwound from the four hour trip up, Matt and I played the "this time last year" game and realized we have a Fourth tradition by happenstance. Last year we celebrated with Matt's brother and niece at the family cabin on Lake Sokokis in Maine. The year before that we were in North Conway, NH just the two of us. Apparently we like to get away this weekend and we both hope this "tradition" continues.
This year we decided to head into town to catch the fireworks on the third. This is actually a first for us because in North Conway I didn't make it to the fireworks (It took me a bit to realize I could not go drink-for-drink with Matt ... advice we should all heed lol). In Maine we did not have to travel because we could see the fireworks from the cabin.
Before I share this year's story - let me share a little about my husband: Matt cannot stand crowds. He also has little tolerance for feeling trapped and at the mercy of public transportation. Despite it all we boarded the train and headed into Burlington to enjoy carnival food, mingle with the locals, and sit on a blanket for 3 hours to claim our spot for the 30min firework show. ("Matt - If you don't do the Fourth of July things on the Fourth of July, when are you going to do them??")
I had an absolutely amazing time - and my husband must love me very much :)
This year we decided to head into town to catch the fireworks on the third. This is actually a first for us because in North Conway I didn't make it to the fireworks (It took me a bit to realize I could not go drink-for-drink with Matt ... advice we should all heed lol). In Maine we did not have to travel because we could see the fireworks from the cabin.
Before I share this year's story - let me share a little about my husband: Matt cannot stand crowds. He also has little tolerance for feeling trapped and at the mercy of public transportation. Despite it all we boarded the train and headed into Burlington to enjoy carnival food, mingle with the locals, and sit on a blanket for 3 hours to claim our spot for the 30min firework show. ("Matt - If you don't do the Fourth of July things on the Fourth of July, when are you going to do them??")
I had an absolutely amazing time - and my husband must love me very much :)
If you're ever in the Champlain Valley for the Fourth, here are some tips we picked up:
1. Take the Green Mountain Train into Burlington - a local gave us the tip and we are so thankful! Apparently it's a parking lot leaving the city and the train will get us home before everyone else has a chance to get out. I was also IN LOVE with the train - it's a bunch of old-time cars hooked together to form this long train that takes scenic routes throughout Vermont (I'm trying to find the history - if anyone knows, please share!) The green color stools and chairs also reminded me of the green couch my grandparents had my whole life - blast from the past.
2. Get to the waterfront two hours early, bring chairs, patience, to-go drinks, and an appetite. HELLO FAIR FOOD! Unfortunately, Matt and I only brought a blanket and foam seats to sit on (rookie mistake). Three hours later our backs were completely regretting that decision. Everyone around us brought their camping chairs - Vermonters are so smart.
3. Speaking of Vermonters ... well, the public in general ... free holiday events have a tendency of bringing the most interesting people to one location. Be sure to bring your dark shades and revel in the people watching.
4. You know that in-between time of the sun setting and it actually getting dark? Well, there is a local guy who puts on a one-man air show to entertain you as you wait for the stars to come out. Matt and I were very impressed!
5. Pick your viewing location wisely and forget actually having any space next to you by the time the show starts. Seriously. After three lovely hours of feasting and watching native Vermonters step over us the fireworks started. To our great fortune, we positioned ourselves diagonal to a group of trees which happened to completely block 3/4 of the fireworks. I guess there was a fire where they were shooting them from (which is pretty common) but we had no idea! C'est la vie.
All in all - the show was amazing and completely worth the trip in via public transportation. If we were up here for the Fourth I would absolutely do it again. Here's a few more pictures from the day. Enjoy!
1. Take the Green Mountain Train into Burlington - a local gave us the tip and we are so thankful! Apparently it's a parking lot leaving the city and the train will get us home before everyone else has a chance to get out. I was also IN LOVE with the train - it's a bunch of old-time cars hooked together to form this long train that takes scenic routes throughout Vermont (I'm trying to find the history - if anyone knows, please share!) The green color stools and chairs also reminded me of the green couch my grandparents had my whole life - blast from the past.
2. Get to the waterfront two hours early, bring chairs, patience, to-go drinks, and an appetite. HELLO FAIR FOOD! Unfortunately, Matt and I only brought a blanket and foam seats to sit on (rookie mistake). Three hours later our backs were completely regretting that decision. Everyone around us brought their camping chairs - Vermonters are so smart.
3. Speaking of Vermonters ... well, the public in general ... free holiday events have a tendency of bringing the most interesting people to one location. Be sure to bring your dark shades and revel in the people watching.
4. You know that in-between time of the sun setting and it actually getting dark? Well, there is a local guy who puts on a one-man air show to entertain you as you wait for the stars to come out. Matt and I were very impressed!
5. Pick your viewing location wisely and forget actually having any space next to you by the time the show starts. Seriously. After three lovely hours of feasting and watching native Vermonters step over us the fireworks started. To our great fortune, we positioned ourselves diagonal to a group of trees which happened to completely block 3/4 of the fireworks. I guess there was a fire where they were shooting them from (which is pretty common) but we had no idea! C'est la vie.
All in all - the show was amazing and completely worth the trip in via public transportation. If we were up here for the Fourth I would absolutely do it again. Here's a few more pictures from the day. Enjoy!
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For more tales of our weekend long celebration - check out our post in the Food & Drink section.
Cheers!
Cheers!
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