This is the third post covering our family vacation to the Northeast. If you missed the first post covering NYC go HERE. If you missed the second post covering Boston and Plymouth go HERE. This post covers our drive to and our time in BEAUTIFUL Vermont! Seriously, October in Vermont is so pretty, and we were there at the end of peak season. I can only imagine how stunning it looks during mid-peak.
DAY SEVEN: Drive to Vermont
On our way to Vermont we stopped in a couple Massachusetts towns that are significant to Joseph's family history. The first stop was Topsfield where the first Shumway ancestor, an immigrant from France, settled around 1650. So, this town is the birthplace of the Shumways in America!
Just a cute house, because we liked it. I won't post every home we took pictures of, but be warned, I might be including a few more... ;)
The Gould Barn was built in 1710 by the brother of one of Joseph's ancestors.
Pertinent to Mormon church history, Topsfield was home to Joseph Smith's immigrant ancestor who settled here around the same time as my Joseph's ancestor. In fact, Joseph is also related to the Smith family. Joseph Smith Sr. was born on this old farmstead where this marker stands.
When we drove by to see the Smith Homestead marker, there was a realtor in the area who asked us who we were affiliated with. When we explained that we were on a family vacation and were interested in the marker because we are members of the Mormon church, she said there was something in the backyard of a home she just sold that we might be interested in seeing. She then took us behind the house to look at this old well that Joseph Smith's grandfather built!
This is the Boxford Ancient Graveyard where Joseph's first immigrant ancestor, Pierre Chamois, was buried. He died in 1695.
Picture of a church from our car, hence the glare :). We loved seeing all the churches in the small towns we went though, and you will definitely be seeing a few more church pictures in this post.
The adorable town of Weston, Vermont. We had to stop here in honor of my Dad, Rafe WESTON! There is no connection between him and this town, but it was too cute not to explore.
The town Playhouse. Would love to see a production here. Small town playhouses are the best. Maybe someday I'll start one in Afton (just a little dream of mine to own a theater on day).
Beautiful old mill in Weston.
Another church.
It was decorated so cute in such an old fashioned style. We all LOVED staying here!
The rooms in our little suite. The first American-born Catholic nun was born in our room. The home was built in 1779.
DAY EIGHT: Spending time in Southwest Vermont
After a delicious breakfast made by our awesome host, Mike, we started our day with a hike through the beautiful mountains to Equinox Pond. OK, so all these pictures might look the same to you, but it was just so gorgeous! This day was one of my favorite of our entire trip. Being outside in the fresh air was so nice after our time in big cities. It was really peaceful and relaxing and, well, just so beautiful!
The COLORS!!!
Another church.
Covered bridge!
The homemade chocolate here was AMAZING!
Beautiful barns!
Playing outside of the Ira Allen House.
Joseph took the kids out for little canoe rides.
DAY NINE: Drive from Vermont to Palmyra, NY
Before leaving the area we were in in Vermont, we stopped at this beautiful little spot where we got to see the famous covered bridge that is in two of Norman Rockwell's paintings!!
Another cute church.
House Norman Rockwell lived in.
We found headstones of some of Joseph's Ames ancestors in Shaftsbury, Vermont.
Another beautiful house!
Bennington Monument where the battle of Bennington took place. The Americans won the battle! It was a huge turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Views from in the monument.
John Stark statue.
One last church, in this post... :)
And that ends the Vermont leg of our trip. Next up, Palmyra and Niagara Falls...
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