[sheena12]

Looking for anything interesting, historical and quintessentially Vermont.

Any restaurants that are vegan/vegetarian or pescatarian friendly? Any covered bridges? Historic homes? I have several travel guides and the southern area of Vermont is pretty much skipped over.

Unless there really in nothing much their but my son's college.

Are their any zip lines or other thrilling out doorsy things to do? I am getting the idea that Marlboro, Bratt and Wilmington are not exactly "tourist traps", to put it mildly. And that's a good thing. Just looking for something memorable to do as we see him off to school.

[arctichomesteader]

If you're into hiking at all, Vernon, a short drive from there, has some black gum swamps in its town forest. A very unusual tree for this state. The Green Mountain National Forest is also nearby and has lots of places you could explore. Somerset, a near ghost town, is my favorite area in that part of the state. The only original intact building though is the 1850's school house. There's some odd history associated with that town and its school house which was the town office by then, it was basically a 1 family town in the 30's when it was unincorporated by the legislature, with some very unusual behavior from that family. The undeveloped lands and the reservoir are the real attractions there. Carry a good map if you explore that area.

The Creamery covered bridge is in Brattleboro. There's others throughout that part of the state, some further from that area than others.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

If you're into hiking at all, Vernon, a short drive from there, has some black gum swamps in its town forest. A very unusual tree for this state. The Green Mountain National Forest is also nearby and has lots of places you could explore. Somerset, a near ghost town, is my favorite area in that part of the state. The only original intact building though is the 1850's school house. There's some odd history associated with that town and its school house which was the town office by then, it was basically a 1 family town in the 30's when it was unincorporated by the legislature, with some very unusual behavior from that family. The undeveloped lands and the reservoir are the real attractions there. Carry a good map if you explore that area.

The Creamery covered bridge is in Brattleboro. There's others throughout that part of the state, some further from that area than others.

Thank you! We do enjoy hiking. I've never heard of black gum swamps. I'll look into that.

Somorset sounds interesting. What kind of odd history are you referencing? Anything paraormal? If so I am very open to that sort of thing. Can you tell me more? What was the name of the family?

Where are the "undeveloped lands"? Where do we find them?

Your response is intriguing!

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by sheena12

Thank you! We do enjoy hiking. I've never heard of black gum swamps. I'll look into that.

Somorset sounds interesting. What kind of odd history are you referencing? Anything paraormal? If so I am very open to that sort of thing. Can you tell me more? What was the name of the family?

Where are the "undeveloped lands"? Where do we find them?

Your response is intriguing!

It was Katie Taylor, representative in 1937. Each town had a vote in the house then. The whole town was her family. They held every office in town. She was known as the "dictator" of the town. Her husband worked their foster children supposedly from 4 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week on their farm. Glastenbury next door has had reports of paranormal stuff.

Most of the town is national forest land with some power company land around the reservoir. There's camps along the road in but that's about it for development in town. Basically, anything that doesn't have a camp on it or is posted is open there.

[OhBeeHave]

There are the Indian Petroglyphs in Bellows Falls. I have yet to do this, but it is on my list. Bellows Falls is exit 5 off of I-91

Historic Iroquois and Wabanaki Beadwork: The Abenaki and the Bellows Falls (VT) Petroglyphs

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

There are the Indian Petroglyphs in Bellows Falls. I have yet to do this, but it is on my list. Bellows Falls is exit 5 off of I-91

Historic Iroquois and Wabanaki Beadwork: The Abenaki and the Bellows Falls (VT) Petroglyphs

That sounds interesting OhBeeHave. We will do that next time we are in Vermont!

That's the wonderful thing about having a child attending a college in a beautiful destination - enforced vacations at least four times a year!

Parent's Weekend is conveniently scheduled in mid October - prime Fall foliage season! I am so excited.

Thank you to all who gave us input. You have a beautiful state!

~ Sheena12