On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Benw
My family and I spend time every year in Montpelier. It’s one of my favorite places. It’s the capitol of Vermont; chosen, as these things are, because it’s in the middle. It’s on a branch of the Winooski River, and is Vermont close to lots of excellent hiking, swimming, and skiing/biking. These are from a quick 2 day mini-cation at the end of June, right after my kids started summer break.
Hubbard Park is on one of the hills overlooking the main town of Montpelier. It’s one of Hudson’s favorite places, and he expects to be taken for walkies every morning. After walkies I stop at Manghi’s bakery for a bag of rolls – so good! The tower is the old fire watch and new stairs have been installed inside so you can climb to the top and look over the town.
Some of the trails are simply cut through the weeds. It’s not a coincidence that they are exactly one mower wide!
Of course, this is a more common trail, once you’re under the trees in the main area of the park. There are also several grassy clearings that are used for picnics and doggy playtime, if you happen to have a friendly, non-murderous type dog!
There are places to river swim all around the town. After swimming, our go-to spot is the Dairy Creme, because nothing says “get a cold creemee soft serve” like swimming in a cold mountain runoff river!
Ready to take the plunge!
The view looking back toward the valley where Montpelier is located from Morse Farms. Morse Farms is just a few miles outside of Montpelier and a great place to get a jug of grade A dark amber syrup, and don’t forget to feed the goats!
Hi from the top of the tower!
Betsy
I love Montpelier. Was unable to visit this year. Thank you for these.
Baud
I would like to go there one day. Also, the Adirondacks.
lee
Love the Winooksi picture.
Visiting Vermont is on our list to visit. Our plan is to go during the off season and stay at the Hyatt that is located at Spruce Peak. Using that as a base to visit the rest of the state.
My work manager lives in Montreal (we are both 100% work from home). So we might make a day trip to go visit.
raven
Awesome! I’m looking at the map and seeing all these interstate’s ! I hitched from Urbana to NYC, up to Boston and to the White Mountains in August of 71. I saw the Allman Brothers twice once in the city and once on the Commons. Then I went hiking off the Kangamangus Highway and that was one of the major roads up there!
Ramalama
Is Hudson allowed to go off leash?
I used to commute from Boston to Montreal for years (weekly) and had riders come along. One dude asked for a lift back from Vermont to Boston. Sure, I said, where will you be? He said meet me at the state house in Montpelier.
I used to bother certain riders (especially Europeans) for not having a smart phone or using text. I was almost strictly an email-only person. So the emails had to be specific. I said to this dude, imagining a smaller but still busy version of the state house in Boston, and said, WHERE exactly. And give me a description of what you’ll be wearing. He wrote back, you’ll see me, trust me.
I was miffed. But played along. Made my way through the border of Canada / USA and headed down 89 through gorgeous Vermont. It’s really one of the loveliest drives ever (even after driving it hundreds of times). Get to Montpelier, wary. Follow signs for the state house. Drive up. There he is. It’s like there’s ONE DOOR there. And there was almost no foot traffic. In Boston, the state house is right at Park St T stop, and along the freedom trail (or close to it).
Anyway, Vermont is such a shangri-la.
I did not know anything about that trail in Montpelier. I have friends higher up where I usually stay.
apieceofpeace
Beautiful landscape!
Benw
@Ramalama: Hudson is very much an on-leash dog! Love your story about discovering Montpelier!
stinger
How beautiful and fun! I hope to visit VT some day, and these pics confirm it would be a good trip.
Munira
I spent a lot of time in Vermont when I lived in Quebec. My friends and I did the big women’s march in Montpelier. So many people came, they actually closed the exit to Montpelier. Some people just parked their cars on the side of the freeway and walked in. It was great. Beautiful state.
L Boom
I’m very much a lurker, but so funny seeing my hometown on here. And if you go to Morse Farm, do not forget to get a maple creemee. It’s very, very important.