Another gorgeous day in New England greets us when the sun rises. Our first stop today is Sugarbush Farms, a maple syrup producer and so that is where the GPS is set to lead us. Oops - road construction takes us to a different route and also to an unexpected treat - the Queechee Gorge area and Village. We arrive at the Gorge, find a spot to park and the first thing we see is a sign listing all of the great things there are to do in this area. As I read it, I realize that I could spend a week in this area alone. I am falling in love with Vermont mile by mile and would really love another opportunity to spend time here. Perhaps in the future we can slip another trip up here into our schedule. 
We start walking over to the Gorge and as we do, we notice a beautiful hot air balloon overhead. We cross the highway and step onto the walkway to lean over the rail and looks into the depths below. It is beautiful and we can hear the water roaring below us.
We stop in at the Village nearby and check out the Vermont Spirits Distillery, makers of Vermont Gold Vodka. It is a cute little village with so many fun shops and I would love to just shop, but we are not able to take much back with us as my suitcase is so full already and we don't check luggage when we fly standby.
Back on the detour, we locate Sugarbush Farms and wander through the trees seeing the lines that they use to collect the sap to make maple syrup. We walk down the hill to the sugar house that holds the boiler and a video explaining the whole process. Next stop is the farmhouse/store where we are able to sample all of the syrup grades and also the wonderful Vermont cheddars that are made here. It is all delicious (definitely an online order to here when I return home) and also another great lesson learned. 
Continuing north, we are back on the bridge trail. We are in Tunbridge and there are six bridges here, all on the National History Register. First up is the Howe Bridge built in 1879. These old wooden bridges are just so cool. Mister is such a sweetie to photograph them all for me as it is not a good walk day for me and so I am stuck in the car a lot today. That does not stop me from enjoying these bridges though. I absolutely love them.
Second in line is the Cilley Bridge built in 1883. I love the construction in this one as does Mister. He inspects it closely to see just how it all fits together.
The Mill Bridge is next and was built in 1883. There is a sign on it that proclaims, "One dollar fine for a person to drive a horse or other beast faster than a walk or drive more than one loaded team at the same time on this bridge." I love the waterfall that you can see under the bridge.
I love watching Mister as he works. Which bridge is he seeing now?
It is the Larkin Bridge built by Arthur C. Adams in 1902 and spanning the White River. I love the flower baskets on each end.
Just down the road is the Moxley Bridge which was built in 1883 and also spanning the White River. They almost look like sister bridges.
The last bridge for today is the Flint Bridge circa 1845 with an unknown builder. The view from the window was resplendent with color and not to be missed. Such beauty in nature never ceases to amaze me.
My research shows that there are a couple of items of interest in the area to present as options to Mister. Ben and Jerry's is up ahead or we can take a slight detour and go to Graniteville and the Rock of Ages plant and quarry. I don't think it is too tough of a choice for him to make and off to the quarry we go. We stop in at the visitor center and are just in time for a tour. We add our names to the list and board the bus for an information-packed ride up to the top of the quarry. This place is amazing with its incredible white granite. It is over 600 feet deep and goes even further below the surface of the water. I cannot believe how large it is -- the people on it look like little ants scurrying around. When we finish with the quarry tour, we are able to enter the plant and see the production lines for the main product that is produced here: headstones.
The manner in which they transport these huge and heavy pieces of rock from place to place is incredible. In addition to the tombstones, granite from this quarry has been used in buildings all over the United States.
As we leave the plant and continue our journey north, the sun is peeking through the clouds and the glow on the mountains really show the colors. Such a nice sight to see while riding in the car.
On the road again and heading towards Waterbury. Our last planned stop of the day is at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for some fresh cider and donuts. The cider press is operating at the time I watch for a very long time as the juice is pressed from the apples, the trays are changed out, and new pulp is readied for pressing. Oh -- and it tastes dang good too.
Our time in Vermont is almost over and I am so sad. I have truly loved it here. This is our last night in the state and tomorrow morning we will head into New Hampshire. As we start our travels east, we go through Montpelier as the sun is setting and the rotunda on the Capitol Building is so pretty that we stop to check it out. Colors, colors, everywhere.
Our place of rest for the night is the Lyndon Motor Lodge and after a quick check-in, we go in search of some dinner before calling it a day. The Valley View Restaurant is the lucky winner and we are soon satiated and ready for sleep. Night.
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