We are now in Stowe (Vermont), a skiing resort town with a population of 4500 at the foot of Mt Mansfield, the farthest north we are travelling in the US. Yesterday we drove from Williamstown via Middlebury, another small college town, where we enjoyed lunch with David and Jean Rosenberg, Quaker friends who spend some time each year in Canberra.
Stowe is where the von Trapp family finally settled in the 1940s after fleeing Europe and their Lodge here is “a little bit of Austria in Vermont”. It sounds corny but actually it looks lovely and has fabulous views across the valley to the Fall colours that cover the hillsides now. The scenery is very beautiful, even without the sunshine that would make it even more glorious I imagine. People have said this season is rather muted, but the colours around here look great to our eyes.