Vermont.

So this one has taken me awhile to write and it has nothing to do with how much I enjoyed my time in Vermont. It is the most stunning place I have been outside New Zealand... It even rivals the south islands landscapes despite being a polar opposite.

When we first arrived it was to drive through lush rolling hills with rich green grass and miles on end of maple trees ranging from vibrant reds to fluro green. It was hard to photograph but it was breath taking driving through that for two days.

Upon entering the state both Alex and I couldn't stock pointing out beautiful historic homes coupled with huge red barns. It felt like the "real" America. We just missed out on the Norman Rockwell museum which was disappointing but after seeing this place I can see why he was so inspired by Americana.

We stayed in a little place called Woodstock at a B&B called The Grist Mill House. It is a 200 year old mill that has been converted in a homely and beautiful way (it also smells incredible) it is run by Peter Pickett and his wife. They were such amazing hosts and provided us with a delicious 2 course breakfast of local produce. The best bacon I have ever had in fact. We had a great chat with Peter the next morning and I had a kindred spirit in our mutual love of C.S Lewis. When I mentioned I just had to tell my parents to come stay there, with the comment that my dad sounds like a pirate with his thick accent he laughed so hard I thought I had done some damage... So, mum and dad, you HAVE to stay there. It was awesome.

We took a tour of the Rockefeller mansion and reforestation project which was pretty and even decided that we had to buy souvenirs of Vermont as it was so fantastic. We even headed out to a maple syrup farm and ate our fill of syrups and cheese.

We continued on to our tree house for the night, complete with hot tub. When we arrived I asked the host if bears were likely to appear whilst I was in the vulnerable state of undress associated with hot tubbing and was told... 'Hmm, maybe...' So after looking up www.bearfacts.com I decided I was suitably fearful enough to wait until the morning to soak, so that at least I could see the sneaky death traps in advance. No one likes a surprise bear. It was a great cabin and it was lovely to be so totally in the middle of nowhere and relax with wine and waffles. 

I was so sad to leave Vermont, both of our parents would love it here and I would go as far as to say that it would be worth the trip to the U.S just to explore that state. The food is amazing, the people are so incredibly friendly and helpful and the scenery is a mix of stunning nature mixed with equally beautiful historic buildings. 

I want to go back already and eat more buck eyes ( peanut butter wrapped chocolate fudge) while gazing at never ending landscapes of trees and squirrels.