Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, Warren Falls and Hardwick First Fridays
We spent the first week of Summer vacation 2016 in Hardwick Vermont. We took our bikes with the idea of exploring the LVRT. The section that runs through Hardwick is not yet finished (or started). We did find the old rail line that follows the Lamoille River through the village. The boys even had a quick swim in the river there in Hardwick.
We used the Amazon Prime to get a bike rack, applied it to our rental and managed to get all six of our bikes to Morrisville. There we accessed a developed section of trail, and it was GLORIOUS!
This group did NINE miles on the trail. The #2 son did all that with those small tires, one gear and wearing cowboy boots. He was made in Texas.
We also made a quick trip to Warren Falls:
That's my Mom standing up at the top. There are three falls and three pools deep enough to jump off rocks into.
#1 son jumped, and I did too.
#2 son is prepping for the day he goes off the big rock.
Elmore Mountain Fire Tower Hike:
A moment of introspection at the edge of the Elmore Mountain.
When a Vermont State Park Ranger says "It gets a little steep toward the end", You may be surprised at just how STEEP it becomes.
The Elmore Store is one of those tiny specs at the far end of the lake on the left side.
The view from the fire tower was amazing. It was so high, even Kat refused to climb it. I managed most of the way up, clinging tightly and battling vertigo.
We rewarded our effort with a quick refreshment on the deck at the Elmore Store. The group there enjoying afternoon beers on the deck invited us to join them at the church Sunday morning. This church group meets for beverages on the deck each Wednesday... That sounds nice to me... Mom, you should join that church! It's only 8 miles from the place in Hardwick.
Kat's favorite beer, Lost Nation Mosaic! Mom found a beer she likes, Lost Nation Gose (low carbonation, salty, and a bit sour). Lost Nation is ON the LVRT trail in Morrisville! You know we stopped after that bike ride. Earned beers taste better. The kids quickly developed an affection for the Rookie Rootbeer.
We toured the Rock of Ages Quarry near Barre, VT.
Just 11 miles from the Hardwick house, Hill Farmstead.
First Friday of each Summer month, Hardwick has a small street festival. Caledonia Spirits hosted a Pop-Up bar while Buffalo Mountain Co-Op had free Vermont wines and cheeses. We did join the co-op.
