Just A Tuesday

 I'm trying to block out more world events (as well as local truth be told) these days as it all feels so overwhelming and makes me anxious. My thoughts turn to worrying about how well my tomato plants are doing because I'm hearing rumors about canned tomato products shortages. I tell myself that I should plan on making my own sauce this year. As much as possible. Even as I observe the pathetic state my tomato plants in the raised bed are currently in.

And then my husband tells me how my much loved oat milk is becoming more difficult to come by. The size of the container is shrinking as the price continues to rise. And even then there is often an empty spot where the oat milk should be. Or just one lone container towards the back that nobody else has been quite able to reach. I can make my own oat milk right? How hard could it be?

Meanwhile, I am contacting the guidance counselor at school for Youngest Child trying to help plan his class(es) for the 2022-2023 academic year. Trying to trust in the process and not underestimate his capabilities.

And stressing/eagerly anticipating my BRC this weekend wherein I hopefully pass and come out of it with my motorcycle license. 

But in the midst of all this, there are these pockets of peace.

The early morning sun shining through a patch of Lupines.

An easy paced bike ride with a dear friend. Followed by a chat by the lake before we part ways again.

A duck that decided to settle in the grass next to the bench we sat on.

These are also pieces of my world that continue to ebb and flow in and out of my awareness.

Greenbank's Hollow-Vermont's Forgotten Village

 

Owing almost its entire existence to just one man, Benjamin Greenbank, Greenbanks Hollow was once a thriving community consisting of a five-story woolen mill, a grist mill, saw mill, local store, post office, school,  and houses.

On December 14, 1885 a fire destroyed the woolen mill,store, several residences and the covered bridge. After which Greenbank relocated to Enfield, NH with his industrial operation. The once thriving community of Greenbank's Hollow was left in ruin. All that remains today are several cellar holes and foundations and original granite foundations along with the restored covered bridge.

Greenbank's Mill circa 1885. Photo credit: Danville Historical Society.

Hey Hey It's My Birthday: First Up is Lewis~August 25, 2021

 Lewis is a town in Essex County named for landholders Nathan, Sevignior, and Timothy Lewis.

The town was never formally organized due to a lack of a significant permanent population. According to the 2020 census the current population is 2. The town's affairs are handled by the Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County.

Lewis has a total area of 39.7 square miles, 0.25 % of which is water.

You have probably heard the saying "in the middle of nowhere"? Lewis is literally in the middle of f*****g NOWHERE.

Little did I know what we were heading into as I took this picture, still within sight of a paved road. I should have known by the way my husband slapped his hands together with glee after referring to the atlas.*

*1. atlas (noun) a book of maps and charts

Miles and miles of loose gravel road with the occasional obscure sign post.

And nothing else.

It was at this point that I asked

"Are we lost?"

My husband replied with a "Meh" which meant we were "lostish".

I am directionally impaired and there was NO signal because, as I may have mentioned, we were in the middle of nowhere.

So I had no choice but to rely on my husband's  internal compass.

But finally we found a sign with the actual word "Lewis" on it.

Finally.

Enosburg, VT~July 22, 2021

 Enosburgh is located in Franklin County which is in the Northwestern corner of the state, population 2,781.

We decided to visit the Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, which is an exhibit not to be missed. Just remember to wear your comfy walking shoes!

https://www.coldhollowsculpturepark.com/

Burlington~ July 8, 2021

Burlington has a population of 42,545. Established in 1785. 

"Situated on Lake Champlain, it is the heart of a small urban area that acts as Vermont's vibrant and cosmopolitan center. Known for its ultra-liberal environment and free-thinking spirit, Burlington is both a college town and an important commercial city, while maintaining an intimate atmosphere."

https://wikitravel.org/en/Burlington_(Vermont)

"ECHO inspires and engages families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain.

ECHO currently welcomes more than 167,000 visitors annually into a 34,500-square foot, award-winning LEED-certified facility. Through more than 100 interactive exhibits; 70 species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians; major changing exhibits; a 2,500-square foot early learning interactive space; ECHO encourages visitors to view the natural environment as part of their neighborhood and to explore, learn about, and consider opportunities for stewardship. This work is delivered by a dedicated team of 27 staff, 175 volunteers and interns who serve more than 16,000 volunteer hours per year, and more than 45 community partners. ECHO is home to a consortium of organizations working for public and academic engagement in science: the Lake Champlain Basin Program; the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory and research vessel; US Sea Grant Watershed Alliance; and the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial located in Hoehl Park."

https://www.echovermont.org/about-echo/mission/

Burlington is also home to the University of Vermont.

https://www.uvm.edu/

And the Spirit of Ethan Allen Cruises

https://soea.com/

Winooski~June 2nd~ Pingala

On our way to Milton for Vegan Creemees we stopped in Winooski for lunch. Right on the edge of Burlington on the banks of the Winooski River is Pingala. 

https://www.pingalacafe.com/

This place is amazing!! 

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/pingala-cafe-to-launch-weekly-outdoor-vegan-food-and-music-event/Content?oid=33005651

With a fantastic view to boot!

Winooski /wɪˈnuːski/ is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. Located on the Winooski River, as of the 2010 U.S. Census the municipal population was 7,267.^[5] The city is the most densely populated municipality in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. It is the smallest in area of Vermont's nine incorporated cities. As part of the Burlington, Vermont metropolitan area, it is bordered by Burlington, Colchester and South Burlington.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winooski,_Vermont

As early as 750 AD, the Abenaki tribe lived along the shores of a cascading waterfall in a fertile river valley they called "winoskitegw," meaning “land of the wild onion.”^[6][7] Winooski's southern border is formed by the Winooski River, which is alternatively known as the Onion River.^[6]

Five thousand years ago a single family of paleolithic Native Americans came to what is now the city. The prehistoric campground for this transient group is one of Vermont's significant archaeological sites. Other native people came to Winooski in the years that followed.^[8]

The American Woolen Company purchased the failing Burlington Mills in 1901 restoring a measure of economic growth to the area.^[10] This success eventually led Winooski to incorporate as a city in 1922, breaking away from the town of Colchester.

The mills closed in 1954, resulting in two decades of economic problems for the city.^[8] In the 1980s, two old mills were converted into commercial, office, and apartment space, helping to revitalize the area.^[8]

~https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winooski,_Vermont

Milton ~June 2, 2021~Vegan Creemees and An Art Gallery

 

It started with my sidekick announcing that she had discovered a place that sells Vegan Creemees.

Get out!

So off to Milton we went!

Milton is a town in Chittenden County, population 10,984.

According to local legend the town was named for the English Poet John Milton.

Milton was chartered by Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire on June 8, 1763.

Milton was a filming location for some of the scenes in the Farrelly brothers movie Me, Myself & Irene, which starred Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton,_Vermont

So Vegan Creemees first........

And then there was the Art Gallery.

We spent over an hour here admiring all the beautiful and unique works of art.

And even bought a few treasures to take home with us.

https://www.miltonartistsguild.org/