Vermont Vacation Rentals
Vermont's military complex at Mount Independence is the fort built in the summer of 1776, by 12,000 soldiers in anticipation of the British from Canada. The number of soldiers were reduced during the winter of 1776, and those who remained were not strong. This fort was so named in honor of the Declaration of Independence. There are several trails, some wheelchair accessible, to view the remains of the Revolutionary War fortification and the spectacular vistas especially of Lake Champlain. This was such an impressive fort , that the British gave up the idea of invasion in October 1776.
Summer 1777, Vermonters mounted a resistance to the British at Mount Independence and then proceeded to Saratoga, N.Y. to help General George Washington . This gave General Washington the time he needed and helped to turn the war. This was at the Battle of Hubbardton, the only Revolutionary War battle fought entirely in Vermont .
The Vermonters were known as theGreen Mountain Boys and were said to be “the most active and most rebellious race on the continent.” A 300 foot stone monument marks the site of the Battle at Bennington . It is believed that here the first American flag was carried into battle. One can now ride the elevator to the top of the monument and see the spectacular hills and valleys of Vermont, Mass., and N.Y.
The republic of Vermont had delegates at the Tavern in Windsor, or the Old Constitution House where they drew up their own constitution, guiding them until 1791 when they became the 14th state admitted to the Union.
In Plymouth Notch, Calvin Coolidge was vacationing when he received the urgent call that President Warren Harding had died. Coolidge was sworn in as 30th president by his father, a notary public. This was done by kerosene lamp in early morning. This family home is one of the best preserved of Presidential sites.
Plymouth Cheese Factory or Frog City Cheese at Plymouth Notch is the location of the Coolidge family cheese factory.
Fairfield is the birthplace of Chester A. Arthur, 21st President. He became president when James Garfield died in 1881. William Arthur, Chester’s father, was called to North Fairfield Baptist Church shortly after Arthur was born. Before the parsonage was finished, the Arthur family lived in a primitive cabin in Fairfield .
A twenty seven mile bicycling trip takes you on the Champlain Islands Bikeways The landscape has farms, orchards, vineyard, the largest sand beach in Vermont, and many recreational opportunities along the way.
On Grand Isle, is found the Hyde log cabin , built in 1783 with hand hewn logs. It was built and owned by Jedediah Hyde, Jr and restored by the Grand Isle Historical Society.
In Eureka , the Springfield Eureka District, one room schoolhouse has been restored. It was built 1785-1790 by William Bettergneau who befriended an Indian ,Skitchewaug, for whom a mountain, parallel to the Connecticut River, is named. This is the oldest one room schoolhouse in Vermont.
This Town Lattice Truss bridge with arched portals, originally crossed the Great Brook in North Springfield on the road to Baltimore, Vermont. The Baltimore Bridge was 37 foot long, built in 1870. It was covered to protect the trusses. Only 106 covered bridges remain in Vermont.
Lyndonville, northeast kingdom has five covered bridges, with tours of the rolling countryside in special packages for viewing the area.
At Stoweflake Mountain in Stowe, Vermont there is one of Vermont's most popular summer celebrations. It is the Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival. It includes a children's corner, live band, food, beer and wine, balloon launches, tethers and fireworks. Twenty-five of the country's experts will launch the balloons. It should be a beautiful sight.
For those who love to scuba dive, Lake Champlain has underwater historic adventures for the certified scuba divers.
Vermont Cabins, cottages, chalets, campgrounds are available at Lake Champlain.
The Orton family have the Vermont Country Store of past and present gadgets, and creations including the maple sugar candy . Vermont is known to have many maple sugar tree farms.
The fall foliage is spectacular and can be monitored for best viewing.
The Walk of the Santas Weekend is an event in Mount Snow Valley where an attempt is made to break the Guinness World Record for the largest Santa gathering. It is Christmas fun for the whole family. All dressed up as Santa for the stroll at Mount Snow. there is a valley scavenger hunt all over the valley, puzzels to solve and the Mel Simon's Christmas show.
There are many ski resorts available for great winter fun. One is the Mad River Valley in central Vermont which has a lodge with easy access and tours to Ben and Jerry’s located off I 89 at Waterbury , and the Vermont teddy bear factory in Shelburne which also has tours.
The U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships are held at Stratton Mountain, March 11-16 2008. it is free unless you want to ski. There are over six days of competition from athletes from five continents. There is a tent village at the base of Stratton's Sun Bowl where there is entertainment, games and snowboard demos. Stratton Village has rock acts at night from Pennywise and the Misfits.
The Mad River Valley is home to the Sugarbush Ski Resort
Green Mountain National Forest is in the southwest and west central Vermont. Recreation of all kinds and many natural resources are found here. Green Mountain National Forest was established in 1932 .
White River Junctionis the historic railroad in Hartford, VT. It is now the northernmost leg of Amtrak. The glory days of the railroad is a family oriented fun filled history of the railroads. Marble quarrying was greatly increased with the coming of the railroad. Also in this area are the cartooning workshops of VT.
.Top Ten Things to do in Vermont
1.Mount Independence
2. Tavern in Windsor/Old Constitution House
3.Plymouth Notch, President Coolidge’s home
4.Fairfield, President Arthur’s home
5.Hyde log cabin(pg 9 of this pdf)
6.Eureka schoolhouse
7.Underwater adventures in Lake Champlain
8.Baltimore Bridge
9.White River Junction
10.Mad River Valley
