Vermont Report
Just returned from a lovely weekend in Vermont. You might be asking yourself, “What is up with this guy and Vermont? He seems to talk about it a whole lot”. Well, as I chronicled here on this very blog last year, (October, 2004, if you’re interested), I’ve long had a fondness for the Green Mountain State. There’s just so much right about it… the fresh clean air, the mountains, the open space, the progressive attitude of many of the people who live there, the Norman Rockwell connection, the abundant skiing opportunities, the fact that this was the first state in the USA to legally recognize gay civil unions, the dairy cows, the red barns, the maple syrup…oh, yeah, and that insanely gorgeous Fall foliage, which is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives…an Autumn in Vermont, when the leaves are blazing and the mountains are a fiery patchwork of red, orange, yellow and green.
I am thinking about relocating there at some point. Don’t get me wrong, I love Northport, and there are great things about being here on Long Island, with such close access to NYC. For now, though, I’ve been travelling on mini-vacations to VT every month or so, just to check out the place and connect with that peaceful energy. Even though it is a relatively small state, there are lots of cool towns and a number of distinct regions of the state, of which I am just beginning to explore. I know Burlington pretty well now, and yes, it’s a great city, (more like a large town, really). Don’t know that I’d ever want to live there, because if I was moving to VT, it wouldn’t be to live in a city. But it’d be nice to live close by, maybe within a half-hour to an hour away. Lots of nice towns in that range… Bristol, which I’ve now visited three times, (and this past weekend, I climbed up to the Bristol Ledges…. a spectacular vantage point to view the Champlain Valley, the Adirondacks and the Green Mountain range from a bird’s-eye view). Richmond, also a cute town and nice surrounding areas…..Bolton Valley, centered around the Bolton ski resort, but what a spectacular drive up the mountain to get there! Huntington…pretty much everything I’d ever imagine a Vermont town to have, (pretty ironic, too, if I did move there, that the town I grew up in here on Long Island, and which Northport is a part of the township of, is also named Huntington).
And then there’s this gorgeous stretch on the southwest corridor of the state, which I at first didn’t really consider as a place to live. Too far from Burlington, which is way up north in the state. And too touristy, centering around Manchester Center, which is a freakin’ shopping outlet center! But, you know, aside from that little commercial center, a great deal of the rest of this section of VT includes some of the most gorgeous, unspoiled areas of the state that I’ve seen so far. And Arlington is there, too, which I finally got to see on this last trip….Arlington, the town where Norman Rockwell lived, one of my greatest artistic influences. And from what I saw, it didn’t look like too much had changed since he lived there, (I got to see his house, too….a classic New England style house just over a covered bridge along the Battenkill River in West Arlington. It’s now a B&B…. which I really hope to stay in some day!).
Well, before I go on too long here, (and I probably have, already!), I’m going to sign off. I do ask, if you’re from Vermont, or have any insight on the state, please do e-mail me at KylesBnB@aol.com, just to share your thoughts and observations. I’d love to hear from you! Now, if you haven’t already done so, go on over & check out the newest episode of Kyle’s B&B, which is awaiting you as we speak!. And I leave you with this image I took of Vermont in full Fall splendor last October. Enjoy!
Hey i just want to say thanks for drawing and writing such a wonderful thing as Kyle’s B&B. it means alot to me to just relax and read it. I am a gay teen in arkansas and don’t get out alot or anything like that so it is just great to read the comic and enjoy a little “culture” not to mention i am a drama whore sometimes
Comment by Nick R. — October 26, 2005 @ 5:25 am
High Greg, Loved your blog here about Vermont… Dan and I are thinking this, or Massecheusetts would be a great place to retire to. Or just to move there, to enjoy “Living” for a change again ! Have not been to Vermont, nor Massecheusetts either for that matter. But have thought deeply about Montana as well. Even looked into nursing possibilities there in the Kalispell area. not usre as to how acepted we’d be in Montana though as a same-sex couple of 12 years standing. Anyway, I think Vermont is a wonderful state just by your description, and my own research too. I am a Maple anything fan, even though I am diabetic… I would indulge now and then for the sheer joy of it ! Love you much too Greg, Dan and I are avid fans from way back! Hugs and smooches to you, and all the rest of your fans. Ron and Dan in Highlandville Iowa
Comment by Ron Schulze — October 26, 2005 @ 12:12 pm
Greg,
Vermont is a great state and I agree with you and the clean feeling, people that are concerned about keeping things old or green or friendly.
Check out Poultney VT - or specificaly East Poultney. There is Green Mountain Colege there, very gay-friendly community of people and you have to try out this B&B called Horace Greeley House, pelier@earthlink.net Horace Greeley House
95 On the Green
East Poultney
VT
05764
802.287.2577
The woman that owns the place just got married - selling ? not sure - claims she never wil - but you never know? House is about 200 years old and right on the green in the center of a small vilage/town? not sure of population - but seems close to many great places to shop, sidewalk lunches and genuine people.
Ledt me know if you ever get there. My mother was born and brought up in Belows Fals.
Later
Dave
Comment by dave aldrich/thorpe — July 18, 2006 @ 6:09 am