Chocolate Highs and Chasm Depths: Chestertown, Adirondack Mts, New York 10/5/09

We enjoyed driving over Snuggler’s Notch so much yesterday, that we decided to take the long way into Burlington and drive over the pass again today. We were not disappointed the colors were spectacular. We enjoyed taking the long round about way into Burlington to our final destination of Lake Champlain Chocolates. We showed up for the 1:00 tour and I was not disappointed! We got a LOT of samples (white, milk, 54%, 70% and a truffle). Of course, we had to taste the ice cream too. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them make different chocolate items such as the cherry cordials, chocolate Santas, & chocolate honey-carmel drops – all done by hand. What I enjoyed even more was Ned correcting (under his breath) our tour guide as she described the chocolate process. (Silly girl didn’t know that putting untempered chocolate in the fridge causes FAT bloom not sugar bloom or her description of the process to make chocolate liquor was actually the description of how cocoa powder is made…) Soon after, we bid farewell to Vermont, and caught a mid-afternoon ferry across Lake Champlain to Upper State New York. Our big surprise of the day was the Ausable Chasm. We had just started on Route 9 and came upon a massive stone bridge that reminded us of the Carriage Roads in Acadia. As we crossed, we were amazed at the HUGE falls and large chasm below. We parked, walked mid span across the bridge and spent some time viewing the monstrous cavern filled with gushing water. It’s a 150 foot drop to the depths of the chasm. I was a little more timid (understatement) than Ned at looking over the edge, but wow what a sight! Today’s pic doesn’t do it justice. It’s shot looking out from the bridge, rather than straight down. We proceeded on Route 9 thru the Adirondack Mts saddened by all the run down and abandoned motor lodges and resorts. Talk about a bygone era. Most of the campgrounds are closed for the season, but we found a small RV park that has all the amenities – electricity, internet, laundry, etc. – thus my many posts on facebook tonight! Tomorrow we head to the Catskill Mountains in search of Jewish comedians.

A Taste of Vermont: Smuggler’s Notch SP, VT 10/4/09

(This is Ned, filling in for Debi.) Hurray! We woke to blue skies. As soon as we cleared the mountain-top fog on our way out of the campground, we were treated to some more amazing autumn colors. Our first destination was Waterbury, home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. We located Ben & Jerry’s quickly, but felt slightly alarmed when we attempted to enter the driveway and saw that we were behind three very long fifth wheel trailers from Texas. This trend continued as we found our way to the factory and became aware of the nearly frenzied state of many of the other visitors. Nevertheless, we managed to get our photo taken. (See today’s pic) Once inside, we learned that a $3 fee was required for the tour of the production facility, even though nothing was running, since it was a Sunday. Debi and I decided to forgo the tour, but she still wanted to know where we got to sample the ice cream. Never one to be deterred by the rules, Debi quickly escorted me down the hallway where all the tours groups were finishing their tours. Voila, she had found the sampling room, and as soon as the next tour group entered from their factory tour, we were all offered a tray filled with paper cups of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Debi and I quickly helped ourselves, and then nonchalantly wandered back out of the room. Debi turned to me, thoroughly enjoying her ill-gotten sample, and said “Stick with me babe!” We ended up purchasing some Envision Whirled Peace cones, and touring the Flavor Graveyard, which was pretty funny. Our next stop was Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Visitors Center, which shows a beautifully produced video introduction regarding their global philosophy, but alas, does not offer a plant tour. We did, however, buy a pound of coffee from them and enjoyed a delicious hot Mocha. Our next stop included a one-stop tasting of Cabot Cheese, a local winery, and Lake Champlain Chocolates. From there we drove through the very upscale ski community of Stowe, very near where we located our campsite for the night at Smuggler’s Notch State Park. Once we knew we had a place to stay for the night, we headed out on an adventure to see if we could locate the cabin on Lake Salem (in the northeast corner of the state) where Debi has very fond memories of spending three summers with her family between the ages of 6 and 9. On our way, we drove through the pass at Smuggler’s Notch, which is absolutely phenomenal, particularly when bathed in fall colors. (Thank you James for this great tip!) We then headed in a northeasterly direction across some of the most beautiful rolling hills and mountains filled with autumn colors that we have seen so far. This was further dramatized by the fact that our course toward Lake Salem headed us directly into the eye of an approaching storm, so our windshield was thoroughly pelted with rain at times, while the color display remained as beautiful as ever. When we finally arrived at the little town of Derby, and were approaching Lake Salem, Debi was feeling very excited to see if any vestige of her great childhood memories remained. But after only a moment of hesitation, she announced “I think that’s the place!” Sure enough, the little cabin remained almost exactly as she remembered it, including the back sleeping porch, and little dock on the lake where she fondly remembers being taught how to row the boat and fish by her grandfather (Big Papa). She stood down near the water and was savoring sweet memories of her summers spent there. At almost that exact moment a huge thunder clap rumbled nearby, and we both agreed that Big Papa was still there. Just down the road we stopped to eat at a local restaurant, where the owners have a herd of Elk fenced. As we got out of our van to look at the elk, the sky opened up with huge drops of rain, which created the most beautiful and intense double rainbow above the herd of elk that either of us has ever seen. We both agreed that Big Papa was really trying to make the point that he was very glad that Debi had returned to this magical place from her childhood