Montreal, the second largest city in Canada next to Quebec, is almost like two cities in one. There is the modern city vibrant with commerce, technology, industry, culture, sports like ice hockey and two airports- one for passengers and one for cargo.

Then there is Old Montreal where we spent our day. Historic architecture, cathedrals like Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica (which was closed for a wedding but imposing from the outside nonetheless), cobbled streets and a picturesque riverside known as the Old Port. One of the places that was on my must see list was the wonderful  Auberge Hotel, where Jenn and Roberto had previously spent a romantic holiday – complete with a horse drawn carriage ride. But that is another story.

Anyway, I had to take a few pictures of this spot to share with you. From the looks of it that would be an excellent place for a charming getaway.

We had the best time strolling, sightseeing, shopping and eating our way across the city. We walked and we walked and we walked just enjoying the ambiance of the streets. Good thing; we ate hearty too.

We started with lunch at Jardin Nelson with awesome crepes. It was such a sunny day that we opted for eating outdoors in a garden setting that had an enormous inverted umbrella-like canopy overhead. There was even a string trio playing music while we dined. Tres chic!! We had tasty fruit filled concoctions that just hit the spot. Light but satisfying. I think Roberto would have been happy with a big meaty burger for his man-sized appetite, but he was a good sport.

We left there and continued our explorations down to the waterfront where Cirque du Soleil had set up and we could hear the music from their huge tents as we passed by to watch the “guards” march by and to see the touring boats in the water. Quite a lively place.

As the afternoon progressed I finally got the food that I had been so anxious to try – Poutine. Now I had heard about it from Jenn and Roberto but I needed to see it and experience it for myself. Mine was this HUGE plate of fries, covered in sauteed mushrooms and onions and then covered with the best melted cheese. That and a cold brew was just the best ever and I was a happy camper.

By then is was time for our drive back to Vermont. Tired, but certainly filled – both tummy and sensory- we made our way back to the car. Oh right, we did pass by and have an obligatory ice cream for the trip. Maple. Such creamy goodness. From the looks of Jenn’s cone, she made short work of hers! 

I am so happy we took the time to visit Montreal.

             Standing:Bill, Dave, Mary, Jan, Carolyn, Bob, Alice            Seated:  Sue, Arlene, Liz

In the first part of this series I shared that we four childhood friends made the decision to gather together for a reunion. And in the second part, we planned the where and the how. In this third section, it has finally happened and there is so much to tell that it will have to come in parts as we spent each day. (If you haven’t seen parts one and two, click the link and see us as we looked THEN!!)

This has had to be one of the best decisions I have made in a very long time. While it took us a lot of planning and time to put this together, I could never have imagined the benefits that I have reaped from spending these precious days with my life long friends. The question it left us with was why it had taken us so long to do this and with the promise to repeat in again- soon. Next time, maybe it will be a cruise.

Our decision to start our first reunion where we had our roots was the right one. I think it added an extra dimension to the emotions we shared at this gathering. Through the years, we’ve had brief visits with one or another but never until this time were the four of us together all at one time since we each began our own life’s journeys decades ago. Alice came in from California, Janice was still in Pennsylvania, about a 40 minute drive from the city, Mary from Maryland. I flew up from Florida and spent the night with Mary, who then let me share a ride with her to the Pittsburgh area.

Upon arriving in the Mon Valley, Mary and I took a quick drive through the small town of Charleroi where we spent our youth. This once thriving, booming place was now pretty much depressed. Our high school was gone along with the favorite drug store where we gathered for cherry cokes after school, and the movie theater, shops and dining spots we frequented were all closed. All our special haunts – gone or in decay. The town was a mere shadow of the place I remembered. It somehow felt like losing a cherished friend as the picture that still remained in my mind faded away to this current image. But we still had the first meeting of the four to look forward to later that afternoon and that buoyed our spirits.

I can’t begin to tell you how it felt to be with them all at the same moment. It felt like four pieces to a puzzle slipping into place. Between the hugs, kisses, tears and laughter I can only describe the moment like a rush of pure JOY. It immediately took me back to how tight we were growing up and felt that same closeness and connection today as then. How rare it is to have friendships so true and long lasting.

We had a lovely first dinner that evening at a spot in  Western Pennsylvania called The Speers Street Grill which we capped off with the group photo. We were a lively party of ten that included Mary’s brother Bob and sister-in-law Sue, Janice’s Mom, Liz, and Alice’s husband Bill along with two of her close friends, Carolyn and Dave, all of whom except Bill were still local. We had lively, fun dinner. The staff provided us with our own little room where we could just be ourselves without worry of disturbing other diners. When we were children, our four families lived within several blocks of each other so our parents were good friends as well. So many of our social events were shared not only with family but with these friends as well. They were really like extended family and we felt as at home in each others homes as we would be in our own. Now, Liz is the last of our parents and it was so special that we could spend time with her this first evening.

Following dinner, Mary, Alice and I followed Jan and Liz back to her home in Jeanette for more visiting and more food before heading to our hotel for the night. Back in the hotel, we winded down and finally said our good nights still high from the evening and looking forward to heading to Pittsburgh in the morning. I fell into contented slumber thinking how lucky am I. For tonight, all was right in my little world.

I want to give a big thanks to Heather from Heather on Her Travels for making me a lucky winner of her LUXE  city guide giveaway.  She has had some awesome posts of her jaunts to London and had a giveaway where you had to comment on a special trip you would like to take. For fun, and because Heather is also a member of our travel blogroll, I entered.  To my delight and surprise I WON! I got to pick the LUXE city guide of my choice.  And, naturally, due to Heather’s tantalizing posts, I picked London.  So I wanted to give a special thank you to Heather and to Natacha at LUXE for such a wonderful prize.

Photo by Vibracobra23

My cousin, Carol, and her family just came back from a three week trip to Skopelos, Greece and London and I will be sharing some of their adventures with you soon.  She fell madly in love with London too so I think I picked the right guide!!

Montpelier- the smallest state capitol in the US. With only 8,000 residents it still packs a punch. I can’t compare it to say Burlington. While Burlington is a lively college town, Montpelier is more sedate with a flavor all of its own.

I enjoyed strolling up and down the streets looking at the shops, restaurants, hotels and conference center, cultural venues and government buildings. Very stately, clean, and with an aura of prosperity. Talking to the townies, I got the impression that this is a nice family place to live. Big city look with a small town feel. I am not a fan of big cities, and even though this is an important place, I felt totally comfortable and at ease during our daytrip there.

The folks and shopkeepers were the typically friendly Vermonters -helpful, and courteous.

While our stay there was brief, I would totally visit there again. The only negative according to Jenn and Roberto was that there was not an ice cream shop to be found. We did highlight every trip during my Vermont visit with a stop for some icy treat. So this caused a lapse in our “tradition”.

When I was a little girl, my friends and I would often play out make believe scenarios, some of them trying out what in our minds fancy ladies did – like having tea. What we’d always heard was that these ladies would dress up and sit at little tables laden with tea pots and fancy little sandwiches. It seemed quite glamorous. And, if I am to admit it, when I get the chance even now and want to feel really pampered and special, I still enjoy going to or having a tea.

My trip to Hyde Park took an interesting turn when we found just minutes from Jenn and Roberto’s home a former Governor’s Mansion turned Bed and Breakfast where we enjoyed a full English afternoon tea. It was just perfect. The table was set in the library and we were the only guests in the mansion at the time. What a stroke of luck that was for us. We got the royal treatment, too.

The hostess, who owns and runs the whole household herself, served us her own special blend of teas in fine china cups on a white linen topped table. It was quite refined and we found ourselves acting just a little more polite, complete with Roberto’s little pinkie held out when he lifted his tiny cup to sip. It was a riot!

Along with the tea, we were given assorted fancy sandwiches, scones with cream and strawberry jam, pound cake and sweets that she baked that day special for us after we called in our reservation. There was more than we could eat. Imagine taking a doggie bag home from a tea. Okay, that part wasn’t too fancy, but we couldn’t resist and we had a great breakfast next day.

I asked for permission to look into the other downstairs rooms, and we were graciously rewarded with a tour of the entire mansion. It was such a wonderful afternoon. I would enthusiastically recommend this venue for high tea or a romantic getaway weekend in the event you find yourself in this part of Vermont.

Check the website for special events and room packages.

The Governor’s House in Hyde Park

100 Main Street

Hyde Park, Vermont

866-600-6888

Our first stop was at the Cabot Annex Store- famous for its cheese. Here we are grazing at the tasting table. I tried a bite of EVERY one. Yummmmy. Naturally, we needed to buy some for the road.

There were lots of other Vermont specialty foods on hand and Roberto was able to pick up his new supply of fancy Maple Syrup. (I am going to have to make it back some March to see a tree tapping.) One day we determined that we will travel to Cabot, Vermont to see the place where the cheese is made and take the tour.

Next on our tour was Chocolate. This was a Willy Wonka of a place!! If you didn’t find your favorite chocolates, fudges, fruity bits, sauces, and assorted candy confections here, you won’t find them anywhere. So, we sampled a dark chocolate-caramel bite and then walked it off (I wish) at the attached Danbury Pewter shop. Some really gorgeous stuff here from Christmas tree ornaments to dinnerware.

We hoped back in their air-conditioned truck and headed for Ben and Jerry’s. This place was crazy busy. It was full or whimsy and oh so commercial. But we got to eat ice cream which helped to cool us a bit. We looked around the extensive grounds and stood in line to get our ice cream while we waited for the tour. It consisted of a 7 minute movie, a tour of the facility and ended with – what else – a free sample in the tasting room.

While I enjoyed the experience and can now say I have been there, I am not sure that I would need to do it again. Alas!! Poor Jenn and Roberto!! I am sure this is on the to do list for all their many visitors. Ha ha.

Our final Waterbury stop was at the Apple Cider Mill to get some cold cider. It was like a little general store with all manner of country trinkets for sale along with many edibles like pies, cookies and jars of all things apple. Jenn found a neat little cookbook and some kitchen things to add to her ever growing kitchen tool supply. And they also found some great sauces that were too good to pass on.

Finally, we enjoyed a short scenic ride as we headed back home for the day.

The days are flying by and I am building a lot of wonderful memories with Jenn and Roberto.

Even though my trip to Vermont was not long, one trip to Stowe just wasn’t enough. Much as I enjoyed rambling through the downtown, Stowe is renown for its skiing and resorts. On the return visit to Stowe we took a wonderful drive UP and UP to see some of the resorts and the scenes of the mountainous terrain. One word for both- WOW. I was actually a little scared winding our way up to Smugglers Notch – and there wasn’t even snow! But Jenn and Roberto forged ahead in their 4-wheel drive truck with nary a care. It was awesome. Steep, raw, windy, amazing, beautiful. And as hot as it was in Vermont during my stay, it was COOL up there too. Ahhhhh.

We even saw a brave couple climbing straight up the side of the mountain. I don’t know how they could not fall off. There were too far up to actually photograph, but trust me, they were doing it.

Here is one of the many ski lift places.

The resorts were one better than the next.

Ever see The Sound of Music? This is the Trapp Family resort in the background.

Here we see condos, privately owned. They have their own lift that crosses the road and up to the slopes. That is how the other half lives…………..

After all that “mountain climbing” that we did, albeit in a truck, we worked up an appetite and needed a good cold one to go with it. We ate at Mr. Pickwick’s down the hill.

It was a wonderful English Pub with tons of atmosphere and good food. I wish I could say I was more adventurous, but for some reason, you say “pub” and I say “fish and chips”. Yum – my!! Light, crisp batter and tender flaky fish. I only had one pint, but Jenn and Roberto said I was fair to singing. But that is just between us, okay?

I think I could visit Stowe again and again. Lively, pretty, and fun.

Fourth of July this year was celebrated in Stowe, Vermont. We had a fun day tramping up and down the streets of shops while slurping up what seems to be our ever ready ice cream cones. The little village was colorfully decorated with flags and buntings announcing this special day of independence.

Later we headed up to the event field for the evening festivities. Lots of vendors were there to sell there wares and we enjoyed a picnic of ice cold lemonade with pulled pork and coleslaw sandwiches. Our day ended with us snuggled on our blanket watching the fireworks.

Hope you had a Happy 4^th of July!!

Morristown was a quick 8 minute ride from Hyde Park. It’s one of those cute little, tiny towns that dot the landscape in this northern area of Vermont. Very cute and quaint with little shops like the Bees Knees Restaurant and the Bijou movie theater.

Here is a little history of the town. On November 6, 1770, the General Assembly of the Independent Republic of Vermont granted a petition to establish a land grant that would become Morristown in 1781 and by 1791 they had a population of 10 that moved from New York, Massachusetts, and 2 Native Americans. By 1795,  there were enough settlers to open a tavern that housed the first school and a brick church.  The town has grown some since then and at the 2000 census boasted a population of over 5,ooo.

We enjoyed a sweet treat as a reward for our “hard work” at the local ice cream shop where we had one of their famous concoctions called a creamie. For those uninitiated like myself, it is a hand mixed CREAMY soft confection in a cone. I had maple – what else in Vermont. Jenn enjoyed her espresso and Roberto his favorite – coconut. I like the way they do errands around here!

My long awaited trip to Vermont has finally arrived and so have I. Although it has been slightly less than three months since I have seen Jenn and Roberto it has felt much longer to me. So it was with great anticipation that I traveled from Florida to Vermont to see first hand the new life they have created for themselves at Thistlemoon Meadows.

After being here, I have forgotten about the long, tedious day of travel and have been caught up in the idyllic life they are creating for themselves. Throughout my stay, I will try to capture some of life on the farm and of our travels out and about in the country as they go through their daily lives and to the little side trips of sightseeing they have arranged on my behalf.

The first thing that struck me as I took the tour of their home and their grounds was the absolute beauty, and sense of peace that enveloped me. The trees, the ever present breezes, the mountains standing sentry over their farm, the flowers of all colors. Oh, and the smells of the fresh air. A little paradise and hideaway from all the cares and stresses of  life I can feel just peeling away.

They have worked magic already, making this farm into their vision of home and life. I am absolutely delighted for them even though I miss having them around like I used to. But they are happy and I can see why. And I am grateful for the bounty and beauty in their lives.

I wake every morning to a hearty, breakfast of crepes and fruit, frittata, or Jenn’s special grains, greens and eggs dish. Roberto has the coffee ready for my wake up cup and I can sit in their green room sipping and reading. What a way to wake up! Sure beats rushing out the door with a piece of cheese toast or a protein shake to go to work in an office all day long like I have to do.

They have a day to day routine, nicely paced to manage the running a homestead of this size. Time for household chores, Jenn’s ever cooking in the kitchen, gardening, taking care of pets and chicks and a thousand and one projects that they have in the works.

But it is not all work and no play. You can always hear music throughout the day, whether it is recorded background music while they work hard on the business or the melodic strains of Jenn on her fiddle, or Roberto on his cello and at the piano.

Life is never dull here at Thistlemoon Meadows that is for sure. During my stay we have worked together and played and laughed together. Ahh. Life is great down on the farm. I am getting used to the relaxed, rhythm and will sorely miss it and them when I have to go.