Gary and Laurel invited us to come to their summer home in Vermont and ride the trails around Newport. Today we drove to Clark’s Summit in PA, stopping by Harveys Lake on the way. It is a small lake my Mother and Aunt talked about when Sally and I were young, relating the great times they had there when they were kids. We’re not sure if their parents owned a house there and now we will never know!
Harvey’s Lake
Friday
We drove to Plattsburgh via the Adirondacks, a beautiful drive with just a hint of fall colors beginning to appear. Plattsburgh was disappointing; nothing like what we imagined a city on Lake Champlain would be like! It’s time has past.
Saturday
We drove just short of the Canadian border across Lake Champlain to Newport; a beautiful drive! The Helms arrived at Laurel and Gary’s shortly after us.
Lake view from Gary and Laurel’s front porch.
Since the weather was great, we rode the trail from Newport to the Canadian Border along Lake Memphremagog; a beautiful ride!
Sunday
Today we went to Canada to ride the Tomifobia Trail. First we went to Stanstead for lunch in a lovely cafe where I tasted my first Scotch Egg! We then started our ride, cycling from Beebe to Ayer’s Cliff. The river provided beautiful scenery!
Guess what? The Double Nickels rode under Canadian Autoroute 55…so we had to take a photo!
Monday
Under Vermont skies, we rode the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail today from Johnson to Morrisville. Last year the Governor made a pledge to complete this Trail border to border, 93 miles; setting a completion date for 2023! Construction is underway and odds are the goal will be reached on time!
Gretchen found a company owned by a long lost relative?
Lunch at Lost Nation Brewing!
Following our ride we stopped at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on a hill overlooking Newport and the lake; a beautiful view!
Tuesday
We toured downtown Newport. We walked around the waterfront and Main Street stopping by several shops including the Pick and Shovel Hardware Store. It is a hardware store where you can get anything like normal hardware items, lumber, hiking and work clothing and boots, toys, fish and small pets, appliances, patio furniture, and of course, maple syrup making equipment!
View of Lake Memphremagog from the Newport waterfront.
Wednesday
The goal for today was to go to the northern end of Lake Memphremagog in the town of Magog, Quebec. After crossing the border we went back to Stanstead to visit the Haskell Free Library and Opera House; a building built right over the border.
So you can stand with your right foot in Canada and your left foot in the USA!
We parked next to a bridge over the Tomafobia River in Stanstead where the Nickels had to pose showing their translation of the name, ie phobia of Tom!
Our next stop was Sanstead’s Stone Circle dedicated in 2009. It rests on the 45th parallel, halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. The Circle rests on a point of balance, symbolizing World Peace! It is a beautiful, peaceful place!
Driving to Magog, we stopped at the McGowan House in Georgeville. It is an inn with a well know restaurant located on the shore of the lake.
In Magog, we ate lunch in a cute cafe and strolled around the quaint downtown and the park on the Lake! We had a great day of sightseeing in Quebec!
Thursday
Last Saturday, we weren’t sure if the weather would allow us to ride all of the planned rides. However, it has been great and today we biked the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail! We started in Sheldon Junction and rode to St. Albans and back.
In St. Albans we ate lunch at the Maple City Dinner. Gary says if he lived here he would eat in the diner every day! We can see why…the food was fabulous!
After our ride we stopped at Cold Hollow Sculpture Park where hundreds of David Stromeyer’s giant art works are on display. We all thought it was a spot we need to return to when we have more time to walk around the grounds!
We have had a super week in Vermont and Canada. Thanks so much to Laurel and Gary for hosting and planning this year’s Double Nickels trip!
Friday - Monday
On the way home we stopped in Orwigsburg to see Priscilla and Phil. The view of Hawk Mountain from their house never disappoints!
On Saturday we toured our old haunts around Schuylkill Haven, went to the cemetery, walked around the property and watched Penn State football. It was great to see Stephanie as she joined us for dinner!
On Sunday we went to Danville to meet Caleb…oh, and to see Matt and Emily. They are restoring an old farmhouse that will be beautiful when it is finished. Hopefully, they will be able to move in by Thanksgiving! The house is on the Susquehanna River, quite a scenic spot!
Alas, Monday morning we had to head home. Thanks so much for your hospitality Priscilla and Phil. We always love seeing you two. Phil, we’re glad you’re improving health wise and back to doing most of the things you used to do!
