Williamstown, VT – Ice Cream, Maple Syrup and Granite
Posted by: Brian in Everyday Living
After leaving the Burlington, VT area on Tuesday, July 14 we headed a little east to Williamstown, VT. This was very close to several tourist attractions. We stayed at the Limehurst Lake Campground which was a small campground with a small lake for swimming and fishing.
After arriving at the campground we left and went to the Morse Family Maple Farm which is the oldest working maple farm in Vermont. While there we learned how real 100% maple syrup is made and was able to taste test the different grades of maple syrup. We decided we liked Grade B the best because it had a more rich taste than the other grades. We purchased a pint of the Grade B ($12.95). After tasting and learning more about the “fake” stuff we will have a hard time not using 100% maple in the future.
While at the Morse Farm we asked about local eating places and was suggested a place called the “Wayside Restaurant”. It is a place that serves local Vermont food and had been in business for over 90 years. We stopped there on the way back to the campground and was not disappointed. The food was absolutely delicious. It is one of those places where you savor every bite. Everything was fresh and cooked just right. I had a ham and cheese omelet with pancakes and 100% Vermont maple syrup. Polly had Vermont ham steak and homemade mashed potatoes. We knew we had to go back again before leaving.
On Wednesday we got up and went to Rock of Ages granite quarry. Rock of Ages is a large company that quarries Vermont granite and uses it to produce everything from headstones to monuments. We took a tour up to their largest quarry and learned how they extract the granite from the pit. We then walked through their processing plant and watched workers cutting, grinding, polishing and sandblasting monuments and headstones. We also watched a video on the history of the company and how they do business. It was very interesting.
After leaving Rock of Ages we had to stop at the Wayside Restaurant once again for lunch. Oh it was so good.
We then headed to Waterbury, VT to the Ben & Jerry’s factory. We first walked through the Flavor Graveyard and then headed inside for the short tour. The tour consists of a short video on how the company was started. You then walk onto a platform where you watch the ice cream being made and packaged. I was actually surprised at how small the production area was. Lastly you visit a small room where you sample some ice cream. The tour is very short and cost about $2 for adults (kids free). We purchased a couple pints in the store and ate some near the playground area they had. I must admit I rarely eat Ben & Jerry’s as it is a little to costly for me. And after going to the factory I certainly wouldn’t make a special trip to go there as there really isn’t that much to see. But Ben & Jerry’s has done a great job in branding their products as a cool ice cream to eat.
After leaving Ben & Jerry’s we headed into Waterbury to the Green Mountain Coffee Visitor Center. It is a very small place which gives a little information about how coffee is harvested and where it comes from. We were so full from eating ice cream that we didn’t even get any coffee. After leaving here we headed back to the motorhome for the night.
Thursday was one of those do little days. We went out to get a maple creemee and spent some time swimming in the lake. We had a great time in the lake as it had a diving board and a small floating island you could swim out too. I was able to do a back flip off the diving board which I had not done in over 10 years. I felt like a kid again.
That afternoon they were calling for some strong storms to pass through so we closed up our awnings and put all our chairs up. A little while later it started raining and then hailing. The hail started getting bigger and coming down heavier. Before long the ground was almost covered. This continued for a few minutes and then everything cleared up. The hail was about the size of marbles as you can see in our image gallery. In talking to some of the locals in the park they had never seen it hail like that before. We also heard on the news that night that a tornado touched down in the small town we were staying in. It was definitely some excitement.
Friday morning we packed up and headed to our new location in Twin Mountains, NH. We will certainly miss Vermont as it has been one of our favorite spots so far. We have been glad to get away from some of the big cities we have been in. The people here have been very friendly and the mountains remind us of the Asheville area.
Follow Our Journey:
Please subscribe to our blog.
Add Brian Godwin as a friend on Facebook
Add Polly Godwin as a friend on Facebook
Follow Brian Godwin’s daily post on Twitter.
Entries (RSS)
Well it took a while but I finally got through all of your blogs. It looks like a lot of fun and you are making me want to take a trip. I have never been in the states you are going through and it looks interesting. I like the idea that it is not hot but I guess if you want to go swimming that may be a real problem.
Have fun and stay safe!
Sorry for everything at once but we have had issues with getting an internet connection fast enough to upload the images (or an internet connection at all). I am not sure what the actual temperature is outside this morning but probably around 65, really nice for a walk while looking around at the beautiful mountains. It has been a challenge trying to go swimming since the warmest the water gets here is around 60 degrees and that is the “heat of summer”. I would like to revisit New England area one day with more time to see all the small towns, attend more the festivals and maybe try cross country skiing. Continue to follow and comment it makes home not seem so far away!
Before reading the text, we thought that was Zachary doing the backward flip! Brian, don’t you think you’re a little too old to be doing that? You’re going to throw your back out!
Zachary wanted to try the same trick but I refused since one Urgent Care visit a month is enough. Brian wanted to make sure that I got an image of his back flip since it had been so many years since he had done one. Thank goodness no issues with his back like when he jumped on the big trampoline in Fort Mills, SC.
The water in the lake was so cold but not as cold as the water in Lake Champlain and the we had a fun time. We are still trying to adjust to the water temperatures in New England, we were told that the water did not get any warmer than 59 degrees even when the air temperature is 80 degrees.
Polly
Hey Guys,
It looks like you are having too much fun. I am a little envious. LOL We used to live near a maple farm in Pa. My brother worked on it and also went and tapped all the trees. I have see them make it as well. Very interesting!!! I have to say I still like the store stuff better. Of course, I really am not a syrup person. I use very little. LOL Things here are still messy in the house. We have our floors and cabinets in and counter tops. There has been some problems along the way, but not too bad. We have to paint now. Talk to you soon. Love you all. Tell the boys hello for us. Take care and ENJOY!
Everyone says “Hello!”. We are having a good time; although we are moving quickly so I am sure that there are things we are missing. We will have to slow down in a couple of weeks because we will start home school. The maple syrup and ice was really good almost better than chocolate. Good luck on your renovations, we know how it is to live in the house will renovating. Please keep and touch and enjoy the rest of your summer.
I was raised in Vermont and used to help my neighbors gather and make maple syrup when I was in high school. It is fun and to me there isn’t anything better on your panckes or french toast than good old Vermont Maple syrup.
We just got back from up there on tuesday (28th) and we brought several gallions and half gallions for friends. When people hear we are going up there on vacatioin they always want us to purchase some for them.
Hope you continue to enjoy the trip.
Jim Benson
The syrup was wonderful! We bought some for our travels and shipped some home too! We saved the website so when we run out we can order more and have it shipped to us along with pancake mix too. We definitely enjoyed Vermont especially the wonderful food that we ate at Wayside Restaurant.