it rained, and then? it rained some more

Remember back when I asked you about the leaves changing colors in Vermont? And you all so kindly assured me that they would indeed be changing colors by this past weekend, and then, toward the end of the comments Jo(e) piped in to assure me that there would indeed be color but she couldn't say anything about rain? Mmmm hmmmm.

Well, it rained.

It rained on Friday night, and then it rained on Saturday, and then it rained on Sunday, and then to herald us out, it rained on Monday too. We had brief moments of non-rain with heavy gray clouds on Sunday that allowed me to take some pictures, but that was the extent of the weather. Anyway, I think Jo(e) cursed us, but it's okay because we still had a great time : )

Friday evening, I finally made it out of work by 6pm and was met with buckets of traffic on the highway leading out of the city. Josh and I decided to postpone our departure for another hour to try and avoid some of the traffic. We did, and Josh drove expeditiously to get us from Boston to Stowe, Vermont in 3 hours, including stopping for some Dunkin' Donuts and gas along the way. We stayed at the Gables Inn, just a mile away from the touristy part of Stowe, but still surrounded by stores and restaurants. We had a lovely room in a separate building called the Carriage House, with a jacuzzi tub and a fireplace.






















The pups wanted to show you the fireplace that kept billowing smoke into our room. Still, it was pretty, no?



















My favorite part was the green ceiling. Purple walls, green ceiling. Funky, funky.








On the first morning we woke up to rain (i.e. Saturday), we had our introduction to the glorious experience that is The Gables' breakfasts. I believe that fall will hereafter be synonymous with the flavor of butternut squash fritters with apple gravy. YUM. Josh had raisin bread french toast stuffed with maple syrup and cream cheese. I know, I know, my thighs have been up in arms since Saturday morning.

After venturing out to the Stowe Arts and Crafts fair that featured many mud pits and inches of water soaked grass, we did what every other person in the vicinity of Vermont did... The Ben and Jerry's factory tour. Seriously, they came within 30 people of beating their record of visitors in one day. It was a madhouse.



















Josh's favorite part, of course.

Everyone definitely needs to go out and try the Oatmeal Cookie flavor because OH MY GOODNESS, it was fantabulous.








Then we putzed around the center of Stowe with the dogs and wandered in and out of stores and looked at the leaves through the rain. I took a very important nap with Tango and Murray while Josh studied, and made it an early night with dinner at a Mexican restaurant and then sleep.

On the second morning we woke up to rain (i.e. Sunday), our delectable Gables' breakfast was a Vermont cheddar and apples omelet (for me) and a tomato, cheddar and mushrooms omelet (for Josh). YUM again. Given the rain and our desire not to drive too far from Stowe, we decided to do a tour of the apple cider mill in town. Are you sensing a pattern yet? All indoors, all food.






The apple cider and cider donuts were delicious, though, and we decided to have donuts for lunch instead of real food. What? I see NO problem with that.





As we were leaving, GASP, it stopped raining for a brief shining moment and for the next hour, Josh drove while I screamed STOP STOP and jumped in and out of the car taking pictures like a mad woman. A few turned out nicely, despite the fact that I was attempting to take them without actually slowing down.
















































That night, we did dinner at a really lovely restaurant that deserves recommending if you visit Stowe- the Blue Moon Cafe. Very cute decorations, delicious food and responsive wait staff.

The owners of The Gables were also incredibly sweet and attentive. It was a couple team, and the woman used to work at a New York City law firm before burning out and escaping to Stowe. We chatted about lawyerly life for a while and she told me all about the joys of running a B&B. Plus, they had cake and coffee every night for their guests! Hurray for Randy and Annette!

Oh, and somewhere in there, I also took a nap on Sunday. It was a big nap weekend in the halloweenlover family. Tango and Murray were happy to oblige.

Monday, we had another delicious breakfast of english muffins, poached eggs, tomatoes, sprouts, cheddar cheese and herbs baked in the oven (for me), and a broccoli, tomato and cheddar omelet (for Josh), before heading back to Boston. We stopped for some more cider and donuts, because we are pigs, and Josh did his bang-up racing job back to Boston and made it around 3 hours even though we hit traffic. This is why I keep him around, people.

So we are back, and we did see leaves, and honestly, our trip was a total success. We slept excessively, spent loads of time relaxing together, ate copious amounts of food and saw some beautiful foliage, even if it was through the rain. I really cannot complain. Plus, we are close enough to go back to Vermont in the coming years, even on the spur of the moment, if we felt like it. I did have sympathy for the buses of tourists that were dragging themselves through the pouring rain and drizzles, though, I hope they get at least one day of sunshine.







Tango and Murray (and Josh and I) also wanted to wish you a happy fall, rain and all!