Day trip: What to See, Eat, Do & Read

It is fall, and while the rest of you are drooling over pumpkin spice lattes, I’m savoring the memories of my last day trip. I love Vermont in any season, but fall in Vermont is spectacular.  When I get that travel urge, my fingers turn to my Kindle library, looking for a book to scratch the itch until I can plan a proper run-away.  Sarina Bowen’s first installment of the True North Series, Bittersweet, jumped out at me, and before I knew it I was traveling the backroads of Vermont with Audrey and Griffin, watching them fall in love over cider.  I needed more than the book to feed my travel bug.  I planned a perfect day trip through the area.  Take This Trip (Google Map | Instagram Hashtag | Audible)

See: An artist’s home

Augustus Saint-Gaudin was a 19th-century American sculptor, most famously known for this sculpture of the men of the 54^th Massachusetts Army regiment of the Civil War. His home and gardens in the Connecticut River Valley are a lovely and peaceful way to begin your adventure.  Be sure to see the Water Garden; I found sitting and listening to the water gurgle a great way to prepare myself for the day.

Eat: Bread Pudding

Did you work up an appetite walking the grounds? Enjoy the drive up through the foliage and make your way to Montpelier.  The smallest state capitol in the country, this tiny town is also home to the New England Culinary Institute, which means there is amazing food to choose from.  Stop at Kismet, a beautiful, woman-owned restaurant.  You will love the brunch menu.  Try the Carpaccio Benedict or the savory Bread Pudding made with bone marrow broth, onion confit, blue and cheddar cheese served with 2 poached eggs and greens.  It’s worth the drive alone!   If you have time, stroll the few downtown blocks and plan your restaurant visits for your next trip back; I know I have Asiana House on my list.

Do: Visit an orchard

Sabra and Sebastian are passionate about organic ciders and wines, and it shows throughout their orchard.  Nestled in the hills of the western side of the valley, you can tour the property and sample cider and wines as the sun sets.  I loved the Vermont Sparkling Hard Cyder but encourage you to try their still cyder as well.  (Feel free to ask them “Why the y!”)

Read: Bittersweet

Bowen’s first book in the True North series is set in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, amongst the majestic green mountains.  The book follows Audrey, a formerly spoiled brat from Boston on the road to redemption, which takes her through the dirt roads and orchards of Vermont into former flame Griffin’s front yard.  Griffin’s family’s hospitality overrides his instinct to push Audrey away.  With a farm full of young, funny adults and a kitchen filled with authentic farm-to-table food, cider and the occasional bottle of perry (pear cider), Bittersweet is the perfect book to read when you are craving a fall experience.

Confession  

The Saint Gaudin’s estate is actually in New Hampshire, but right on the Vermont border near I-89 and I-91. It’s an easy start for a day trip from New York or Boston.