One of my favorite places to be. Something about the hills, the colors and the air. The fact that we share our Northern border and a mere 15 minutes gets me to the Green Mountain State, where my mother's family once lived (East Barre/Groton), where I played countless shows, and where I have been tracing Wallace Stegner's later Summers living in Greensboro.
I continue to feel a connection to Vermont, and it is easy to get to Brattleboro, White River Junction or even Bennington. I played a show decades ago at Bennington College, and have returned only a handful of times since then. It's always new to me. So this time I decided to do something new there. My life is so very different now, so it makes sense to think that way. Hopped into the car and took the kids to see an Alpaca Farm in Shaftsbury, VT.
I don't know why I chose Alpacas. Maybe because I know kids tend to like them? Maybe I secretly like them? I'm not sure, but it was a cute and enjoyable experience. Being around animals is a disarming experience, and Alpacas are pretty laid back for the most part.
Sandy Gordon runs a sprawling farm about 10 minutes Northwest of Bennington, near the actual battlefield, where the Green Mountain Boys kicked some serious tail. Over thirty Alpacas roam the property, and she clearly loves them. She spent a lot of time showing them to us, and named them after various musicians, in particular Texas Blues guitar players.
Afterwards, we drove to nearby Arlington. Got chocolate and ice cream, and then to a food stand a little up the road for some burgers and dogs. It was one of those classic summer experiences in New England. All over the course of only 6 hours.
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