Today was a quiet, simply riding day. People have told me and I have read that Vermont is a beautiful state, which parts of it are. However, like most places in the world, if trees cover just about every part of the landscape, you begin to feel some degree of repetition as you ride mile after mile of very similar views of trees, trees and more trees. The trouble with trees are they block the view. I saw a few hills, a few rivers and even fewer lakes that I am sure are there if you could see past the trees. As the day went on, I felt as though something was missing and sadly, I considered that maybe Vermont wasn’t as good as I had expected. I am sure it is fantastic in the snow.
As a consequence, I didn’t take many photos today, but some that I did were of some strange things.
Near Talcville, Vermont, there was a BMW motorbike used as what I thought was a statue, but on checking it out later, it turned out to be advertising a BMW motorcycle shop called Emerson Motor Works, which specialises in the repair and restoration of BMW’s....
In Pittsfield Town, Vermont, I passed and went back to take a picture of two fuel pumps sitting on their own on some grass. This looked very peculiar, but cool. I wondered what they were doing there and I appreciated the wacky nature of them being there, just on their own....
At a ski resort (there are lots of these on route 100 going north through Vermont) called Killington, there was a golf course at quite a high elevation, with many golf carts sitting in eager anticipation of being used. I checked with one of the golfers and as I suspected, the golfing season is short, but twice a year, just as the snows are arriving and then as they are melting on the upper slopes, it is one of the few places you can play golf in the morning and ski in the afternoon. I liked the way the carts were lined up, awaiting a golfer who doesn’t need the exercise of walking....
I filled up with fuel at Waitsfield and grabbed some lunch and almost straight away after rejoining the road, in a grass field, what looks like someone’s personal tribute to the war dead in Iraq and Afghanistan. The symbolism and impact of the sheer number of flags was very striking and bought home the futility of war and of the USA’s (and the UK’s) involvement in what appears to some to be a struggle not worth fighting for. Whatever the politics of the matter, I applaud the person that created this....
There are a number of covered wooden bridges in Vermont. They are covered to protect the wooden bridge deck from the weather, thereby dramatically extending their lifespan. They are very cool....
The last of today’s photos is of some falls at the side of route 100 approaching Stowe....
Probably like most people on a road trip, getting an internet service can be patchy, but I try to upload to my blog every day, send and receive e-mails and even try to find time to look at other blogs that I am following. Apologies if I don't respond to blog comments or respond to e-mails as quickly as I should, but hey, I am doing what I can.
There was one e-mail I received yesterday that was so cool that I am going to comment on it here. One of my readers, Randy in Santa Barbara wrote and told me "Enjoying your blog very much of your travels across America. In fact as I was emailing a friend in Deer Isle Maine he looked up from his computer and you and Paul were riding by with your distinctive helmet". How great is that - Paul and I were recognised on the road!! Thanks for letting me know Randy!!
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I have now chosen a name for my bike.
I would like to thank all those that sent in suggestions, including Titch’s Mum, who send in some ideas from near Scunthorpe in England.
Some of the suggestions I received were good, some funny, some scandalous, but I have decided to go for....
“The Leading Ladies”.
Now wherever I go on my bike, I can say The Leading Ladies came with me.
I have noticed however, they are a bit grubby, so The Leading Ladies need a wash!
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