As we left the White Mountains and drove west and south towards the Green Mountains we have seen more of the famous colourful fall foliage and some gorgeous countryside and small villages, more covered bridges, pumpkins growing in fields and the beautiful Connecticut river, driving along quiet back roads often without seeing other cars for miles. Hurricane Irene destroyed many buildings, roads and bridges in 2011 and some traces of this damage still remain.
Vermont is the land of maple syrup, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, apple cider and cheese. Sadly we have not yet found pumpkin pie anywhere, all the pumpkins seem to be used for house decorations. Yesterday we stopped at a family run diner for brunch and shared the fluffiest buttermilk pancakes ever, with maple syrup of course, and some scrambled egg and corn beef hash on rye. Nearby a very large couple were eating a large plate of prawn salad each and we were impressed by their healthy diet. As we left they were each tucking into an enormous plate of two large breadcrumb covered fried chicken breasts and fries. I was tempted to stay to see what they had for dessert but we had to press on. This is a land of excess food and effort has been minimised, there's not only drive thru McDs and Dunkin Donuts, but pharmacies, dry cleaners and drive thru ATMs. In bathrooms everything works with a wave of the hand and in this hotel room even the drawers close themselves lest any calorie be accidently expended. However it is possible to walk around safely and drivers are considerate, it is in fact the law to stop for people on crossings.
There is still virtually nothing in the news except Obama v Romney so it's a good job the internet is there to remind us that there is an outside world.
We have enjoyed a lovely sunny warm day but tomorrow it will rain all day and the locals are preparing for winter with snowmobiles parked on the front lawn. After the fall visitors leave it will be time to prepare for the ski season in many resorts.