The mountains are very pretty. They're fun to drive in as well, provided you don't run over one of the aforementioned bikers or hikers, or get hit by a runaway deer (which almost happened!).
Stowe's also home to the Von Trapp family lodge. Of course we had to take a visit and I may or may not have practised my Austrian accent or sung a few lines of Edelweiss along the way.
But there's more to Stowe than musical and fertile Austrians! There are also farmers, selling things at markets. We stumbled across one on Sunday morning, full of healthy looking folks in Birkenstocks and Teva sandals.
Lots of blueberries and maple syrup for sale, but check out the gorgeous display of heriloom tomatoes.
If the sight of those are too healthy for you to contemplate, consider Vermont's sweetest export: ice cream! We stopped at the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury for a cone, and it was the place to be. The parking lot was full and the wait in line was about 20 minutes. It was worth it though for the coconut cream concoction we enjoyed. Tres yummy.
But the best food of the trip was certainly here. We just happened to spot the sign on the way to Montpellier and returned for dinner. We ordered the table d'hote, which turned out to be an excellent decision.
First up was roasted corn soup with chili and maybe mint? Can't remember, but it was amazingly good.
Main was skillet chicken with crispy onions on an heirloom tomato salad. I have to say the chicken was just average, but the tomatoes were succulent. Best I've had this summer for sure.
The best was saved for last, however. Check out the chocolate torte with almond ice cream and roasted apricot sauce, and the panna cotta with summer cherries. Heaven! I had to dig in before I even snapped a picture.
Panna cotta, if you haven't had it before, is super simple, but so addictive. Just the right creamy texture without being cloyingly sweet.
Hopefully it won't be another 20 years 'til I'm back in Vermont!
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