Our Weekend Getaway to Vermont

This past weekend we went on a road trip to Vermont.  It is amazing how many states you can go to within such a short period of time.  We journeyed through Connecticut, Massachusetts, ate lunch in New Hampshire, and then entered Vermont all within 3 hours.  On our way home we decided to head west and go through New York.  It was OK for about the first hour or so, until we hit Sunday afternoon traffic going to New York City.  It was so back up and took us forever.  I tried not to let it put a damper on the trip, but we will FOR SURE NEVER be doing that again.  Once in Vermont we first went to the the Prophet Joseph Smith's Birthplace in Sharon, Vermont.  It was so beautiful and peaceful there!  It was definitely my favorite place we visited.  Next we headed to the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury.  It was Saturday so they weren't actually making Ice Cream so that was a little disappointing.  I would have been fascinated to see all of the machinery in action.  We did get to sample some delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream.  Yummy Yummy!  The next day we went to the Vermont Teddy Bear Company in Shelburne.  They are known for their "Bear Grams" that you can send to someone for just about any occasion.  They are all handmade in Vermont and you can customized them with just about any outfit.  They are a little on the Pricey side, but there was no way we could leave without getting one for Clementine.  The cool thing is that they come with a lifetime guaranty so if anything ever happens to it you can send it in to their bear hospital and if it cannot be healed, they will replace it.  Clemie got a Dark Chocolate bear and we named him "Monty"....since he was born in Vermont.

Overall we had a great trip.  New England is beautiful this time of the year!  We are glad we finally made it on one of the weekend getaways we've been talking about but we (mainly me) always find excuses why we shouldn't go.  We're hoping to make it to Maine soon.  That is the only state left that we haven't visited.

We did a pretty good job this time taking pictures....surprise, surprise.  Normally I forget my camera or bring it and then don't take any pictures.  Enjoy!  

Sharon, Vermont- Joseph Smith's Birthplace

Clemie was happy to run free after the long car ride.  

Joseph Smith Statue on the tour

The remains of the hearthstone of Joseph Smith's childhood home.

Hanging out on the front step

The Memorial that was built in honor of Joseph Smith's Birthplace.  It is made out of one solid piece of granite!

The grounds were so beautiful!  We had so much fun playing.

Leaves were everywhere!  Clemie had too much fun.  She was running everywhere, but mainly just in the opposite direction we were heading.

Clemie couldn't seem to keep her shoe on.

This was the hill you drove up as you are driving to the memorial.  It was breathtaking!  The picture doesn't do justice.

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory- Waterbury, VT

Clemie enjoying the free ice cream sample after the tour.

Paying our respects at the "Flavor Graveyard"

We had to stop and take some pictures all to the beautiful scenery.

Vermont Teddy Bear Company- Shelburne, VT

On the factory tour...

Clemie and I with her new teddy.  She threw her newly purchase bear on the ground so I had to hold it for her.

Clemie on the Journey home asleep with Monty.