Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-22
UP and DOWN VERMONT
rhe Charms of the state Graphically
Set Forth by One Of Her EN-
thusiastic Sons.
Robinson Proctor In me
Vermonter)

Tho charms of ones own neighborhood
re often the last to be appreciated The
crowded ocean liners reveal only TOO
clearly the tendency of great many
Americans. Thousands, every summer |
kearch afar for pleasure and recreation,
6 Sir Launfal did, for the Holy Grail |
year ago last summer. the writer
Thought that he too must fall into line
Ind "go abroad" For weeks. he enjoyed
the pleasures of a European trip, which
hire. to be sure, exceedingly enjoyable.
Yet along with such trip there Is the
FREQUENT annoyance of being jostled amid
khe riotous rush of Cooks tourists, and
of trying. continually, to avoid seeing
the money rapidly disappear. SO much
hid disappear moreover, that last summer
he decided to remain within the boun-
iarics of his native state. For the an
hual vacation trip. he determined to full
till the desire. long ago conceived. to real
~ become acquainted with Vermont. A
hour of Vermont would naturally seem
10 most people trivial affair compared
10 European tour; and 1t is when con-
tidercd from the point of view OF the
money spent and the time required. A
tour of Vermont. however, includes pas
hines and pleasures which are In no way
related to thoIe so-called artificial out
ings" which seem to be peculiar to our
twentieth century. One finds people
whose friendllness is proverbial scenery,
whose chief characteristics are rich fer
tile valleys guarded by densely wooded
mountain tops; and last Of all, rugged
health When twenty years have elapsed
the writer Is confident of being able to
truthfully say that the memories Of his
"Trip through the Green Mountain state
will linger in his mind full as clearly and
pleasantly as those of distant countries.
When the time came to actually plan
the trip, from whom could we obtain ad-
vice? To our surprise, such definite ad-
vice as we desired was difficult to find.
We did, however obtain some very kind
~ and valuable assistance from one or
two whose business had called them to
many parts.
Our plans at the outset consisted Of lit
de more than the intention Of inteli
gently seeing in two weeks as much of
the state as possible. We intended to map
put each days trip on the preceding even
ing from the automobile Blue Book and
the Railroad Commissioners map Of Yer.
mont No other scheme would be feasible
when were so ignorant of distances
and stopping places. My chief desire in
Ibis short article Is to encourage and as
sist as many others as possible. who
might contemplate a similar tour.
At one o'clock in the afternoon. on the
bhird Of July. Harold T. Clement Of Buff
falo, n. Y, and myself started from
Proctor In a 1911 Cadillac. Many will
Remember this day as being the first of
that exceptionally "hot spell" But I
might say here. that during the follow
ing two weeks we often thought how
few more comfortable ways there were in
which to obtain relief from the intense
heat From Proctor we started directly
Tor the western border of the state by
way Of Rutland. Castleton and Fair
Haven. At the last named place we stop
ped few minutes to glance at the slate
nuarries From Fair Haven we passed
fouth through Poultney into more rugged
picturesque country. Lake St. Catherine
with her wooded shores protected on tn,
PAST and west by rocky promontores soor
appeared on our right. A rather narrow
Ind tortuous road skirts the eastern bank
and is separated from the water by only
narrow fringe of trees through which
the sinking sun was then iltering its
slanting rays. On through Wells we found
q very COHiIOTtdDle TOdu 10 IdNlet' Ar
one enters this village from the north {
most striking view is presented. Below
hnd before you stretches the deep valley
dotted with numerous FARMS clos'
by on either side rise abrupt
~ steep mountains as If guard
ing the little village hugging clos
to the steep slopes in the foreground
Continuing down this delightful vale.
pert and finally the Dorsets. where W
turned to the left. crossing the mountain
into Barnumsvile The road over thi
mountain is apparently but slightly travel
ed yet. any inconvenience due to rough
hess is Immediately forgotten when on
views the broad expanse OF rugged seen
cry stretching far to the south. TIL
rich Rattenkil valley with thrifty Man
chester in the foreground bathed in tn
last red rays of hot July sun, We're tn
principal features The mist was jus
rising over the meadows along the wind
ing river banks Anyone who has eve
seen tho famous Lauterbrunnen vale
In Switzerland would almost immediatel
notice it's principal characteristics reveal
ed right here.
Dropping into the valley we were 500
climbing the heavily wooded slopes {
Peru mountain. We found this road l
excellent condition. OF the five places i
which the writer has crossed the Gree
Mountains this seemed perhaps to be n,
best from the point of view of good roads
We reached the summit just in time
witness a brilliant sunset. long to be r.
membered The western horizon wa
nbaze with the rapidly changing hues
red and yellow. We could not refrai
from lingering moment midst the sol
tude of the darkening forests. The hue
iir trees were casting weird spectr
shadows far down the road So quiet.
lonely was the spot that even the huma
voice grated shapply against nature
environment. Our reveries were all II
short due to the darkness rapidly closiI
In about us. Continuing our way shO
distance down the mountain. we We
soon at our haven OF rest-The Broml,
House. No more picturesque mounta
retreat could be desired than this ono
Peru Mountain; in fact so popular was
at this special season that II was nece
sary for us to sleep in a farm house
short distance away There we foul
that congenial hospitality so often spok
of as peculiar to Vermont, Mileage +
the day a.
We rose early In order that We mig
Not far from the hotel stands "A mon