Muffins for breakfast

The fun started at breakfast this morning. The conversation went something like this:

Bailey (looking at Jacob‘s plate): What is that?
Jacob: A chocolate muffin.
Bailey: Chocolate?
Jacob: (defending the nutritional aspect of his selection): It is a MUFFIN!
Grandma: Chocolate for breakfast?
Jacob (re-stating his stand on the issue): It is a MUFFIN!
Bailey: Where did you get it?
Jacob: Over there.
Bailey (searching look)
Jacob: It was the last one.
Bailey (disappointed look)
Grandma: You snooze, you lose.
Jacob: Maybe tomorrow.
Bailey: Yeah, I’ll be faster tomorrow.

After breakfast we headed out in a drizzly rain to do whatever sightseeing we could manage in the weather. Our first stop was at Quechee Gorge where we managed to walk over the bridge, looked down into the gorge, and return to the car before the rain picked up. We drove on to Woodstock and stopped at the First Congregational Church where they have one of the original bells made by Paul Revere on display.

We decided to drive on to the area of Plymouth, Vermont, which was the birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge. By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped, but it was overcast, cool, and slightly misty. We arrived in time to join the tour group that was just leaving. The little lady that led the tour did an excellent job. She took us in several of the buildings and then told us we could wander at will through the other buildings in the area. Since the weather was less than perfect, there were only a handful of people there, and we enjoyed having the little town all to ourselves. In the photo the guide is leading us into the house where Coolidge was born.

A few years later, the family moved to the house across the street, and the boys posed on the front porch of the house where a former President once played.

We visited the cheese factory in the little town, and bought some delicious smoked cheese.

A stop in the barn allowed us to see farm vehicles and modes of transportation of the period, and even earlier.

It was long past lunchtime, so we stopped in the village restaurant for lunch. It was still cool and misty outside, so we ordered hot grilled cheese sandwiches made from baked-in-Vermont bread, and local cheddar from the cheese factory. It was possibly the best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever had.

We went back to the Visitor Center before leaving the area, and looked at the items for sale. Bailey found a book on the Presidents that attracted him, and he ended up buying it for his souvenir. He began reading it to us as soon as we left the parking lot.

The boys wanted to see where President Coolidge was buried, so we drove to the cemetery and spent a few minutes taking photos. To say that the boys were interested in Calvin Coolidge would be a gross understatement. They can now quote details about his life that only serious historians know off the top of their heads. This stop was a big hit, even in less-than-perfect weather.

We finally left the Plymouth area and headed back toward Quechee. As we rode along the road, Bailey continued to read information to us on the various Presidents, and asked us if we knew this or that fact. I am afraid we have created a “Presidential Knowledge Monster”. It was all interesting, and we enjoyed what we learned, but we made him promise that there would be no test on the material he shared with us.

We made one more stop for the day. This was at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science where we saw various birds, exhibits, and saw how they rehabilitate injured birds so the birds can be released back into the wild. While we were there we saw a live bird show featuring raptors, which was very interesting, and well-done. If the weather had not been working against us, we would have taken some of the nature trails in the area.

Once we arrived back in White River Junction, we stopped for a bite to eat and then went to the motel so the boys could swim a while before our evening pre-bedtime card game. The weather doesn’t look too good for tomorrow. We were hoping to take the boys on part of the Appalachian Trail that runs through this area, but it may be too muddy for a hike. We may have to come up with an alternate activity. Stay tuned for more adventures of grandparents and grandsons living free and unsupervised.

And, if you have been reading this blog and looking at the photos for several days, I will answer one question I am sure you have been wondering about. Yes, I think both boys will have to get those Athens Bible School baseball caps surgically removed from their heads after they get home!