Our last day in Vermont had finally arrived and we awoke with a lingering sorrow in our hearts. It was pretty amazing how much fun we had and how much we liked Vermont. I still can’t get over how much fun the hiking was and how laid back the towns seem compares to Illinois.

While I am sure the bigger cities have are just as “busy” as Illinois, I really enjoyed the more relaxed feeling that Jericho and its surrounding areas have. Thankfully we had done some packing the night before so the focus on packing was limited, which let us really focus of enjoying the little time we had before would leave.

The group as a whole decided to head to the Village Cup for breakfast, it just seemed easier and lets face it, having someone else make you food is always nice when you are tired and just not in the mood to cook.

I made up my mind to order the Monte Cristo. Phlerb snaked the last one they had on our last trip, I would not be denied. But I was, not by Phlerb but Karin who felt we just didn’t have the time it would take to make. I shrugged and ordered an equally fattening, but less time intensive breakfast.

Before I knew it breakfast was over and we had to say our goodbyes. We waved goodbye and started on our way to Niagara. As I drove down the road a Japanese Anime teardrop formed on the side of one of my eyes in my mind.

The inner tourist in us forced its way out as we drove towards New York. We decided to stop at the Vermont Teddy Bear factory to check it out and take the tour. We could feel the invisible pull on our wallets the closer we got to the store.

Stepping inside the Mecca of all things Bear I was happy to see that the did have cheaper alternatives for sale, but we decided what really was the point of buying something made in Taiwan and made onsite by us in a manner similar to build a bear?

So we decided to buy an actual Vermont Teddy Bear made in the good old state of Vermont. We tried to convince ourselves that the lifetime guarantee made the almost $60 worth it (I am still trying by the way).

To be honest, the tour was pretty lame compared to what we did with Phlerb and Shanin. Maverick seemed to enjoy the cheesy presentation, they lost me after the recital of the factory history, which I found the most enjoyable.

Maverick really wanted to get a costume for the bear, no big deal we thought. While Karin stood in line Mav did chalk outside with another kid and our tour guide who had chalk for the kids to use.

When Karin came out she looked slightly pissed. I asked her what was wrong and she told me that the outfit cost $35.00. A few minutes later when the smelling salts brought me around, she told me that Maverick had just spent his birthday money on the outfit. Lesson to be learned — Stay away from tourist traps when you don’t have a local, or a jar of gypsy tears to keep you safe.

Anyway, I really am not in the mood to write a part 7 to cover Canada, so here is a condensed summary:

Long trip through NY, Got lost in Ghetto trying to get to Bridge, Crossed over, ID? Passport? Not asked for.

Stayed at Sheraton, good view of falls from room balcony, shitty location (near Wrestling Pile Driver ride), bathroom leak from ceiling, tiniest bathroom ever. Comfy bed, ahhhh.

Next morning, Maid of the Mist Boat Tour (Cool!), IMAX 20 Year old Niagara file (eh.. so, so), Spiderman Ride at hotel (Biggest ripoff ever).

Left for home through Canada, No Garmin Maps, Crappy Rand McNally Directions, Got lost, 1 hour lost, back on track, long drive. Get to US border, take picture of two signs, told to delete photos because of War, Gestapo reviewed all documents, interrogated us about our Canada purchases (Book, Bookmark, Refrigerator Magnet) no doubt I am not a terrorist suspect. Got through and dashed for home. Finally made it home at 12:12 AM.

So there you have it, Adventure complete. Lots of photos here.

A slight correction, Borat was watched on Friday (Part 1), the new King Kong was watched on Saturday (Part 2), and I am just too lazy right now to go back and change my earlier posts. But I digress…

Cranky and cantankerous we awoke to yet another dreary day. After what had already been a whirlwind tour of all things Vermont, we decided to just take it easy. Now I myself consider kicking back on the couch with a block of cheese in my boxers taking it easy (Seinfeld reference for those who care). My friend Phlerb is the same way.

Our wives however have a slightly different idea of taking it easy. As we would soon learn our destination was the Echo Children’s Museum in Burlington. The exhibit currently in house was on dinosaurs, a classic topic that all kids seem to love so it at least had an entertainment factor built into it.

We started our day with another Jericho staple — breakfast at the local coffee shop (The Village Cup). I am coffee nut as many know, and I have to say they served a good cup — or should I say pint of coffee. In what I can safely say was the first time ever, I was served a latte in a pint glass. The latte foam reminded me of a Guinness head when served in a pint.

The coffee was hot, and that glass did little to hamper its inferno temperature. If I was eighty and in a McDonald’s and served it this way I would surely have dropped it in my lap and sued for millions. Why can’t I remember to do that?

After scarfing down a croissant sandwich we started out for Burlington. The Echo Museum turned out to be a really cool place. The kids just ate it up, they ooh’d and ahh’d and ran, and played for a few hours as we took in the museums sights and sounds. By now it was late afternoon and we decided to stop for lunch.

Easier said than done. Our first few attempts to find a restaurant came up bust — either out of business or just closed, we ended up happily at a little hole in the wall Chinese food place which had the best hand made crab ran goons I have had in a long time.

Heading home we kicked back and let the kids play for a while before Grandma Phlerb was to come over. I think we were all looking forward to a nice quiet night out without the kids. We decided to go to a restaurant called the Bearded Frog. It sounds like it would be a bar you would find in Key West, but in reality its cuisine is in fact fine dining.

From the moment we stepped into the car our minds were focused on one thing — calamari! We had our fill and more. I won’t bore you with details other than to tell you what I had (mainly so I don’t forget) — sesame crusted sliced tuna steak with wasabi infused potato salad. The tuna was rare with what I believe was a balsamic and cream sauce. It took every bit of willpower I had to not tear into it like a ravenous beast of some sort.

Settling in for the night we decided to do yet another day of hiking which should maker for some very interesting reading in Part 5. Until then …

Our Vermont adventure began on the 4th at 5:30AM. Having our son’s birthday party at another location than our house turned out to be an excellent idea. So much less mess, so much less drama. Without much fanfare, we started on our way.

Traveling on the 4th was great, we zipped along on roads that were close to empty. Now we had been warned about Ohio, our friends Kah-Nicki and Eric warned us that Ohio police would be on the prowl and they were out in force. So many people gave us dirty looks for only going a bit over the speed limit, but after seeing 6 people pulled over, I just didn’t care (Screw you Ohio!).

After around 8.5 hours of driving we pulled into Erie, PA. Turning off the toll road my son Maverick excitedly asked if the Holiday Inn with the indoor water park was our hotel. We explained that it was not, and as we turned down the road and saw the Country Inn & Suites that we were staying at I said:

“Wow! Check out our hotel, isn’t it cool!”

To which he replied:

“No. Our hotel is boring.”

LOL, too funny. Mental note for the next trip. The only saving grace we had was that our hotel did have a swimming pool. Even it provided comedy relief — my wife encountered not one but two stray long pieces of hair that she was quick to point out were not her own. Very funny to watch.

Rising up bright and early the next morning we were once again on the road. I won’t bore you with details of the trip, it went on and on and on (10.5 Hours!). It was very cool driving through the Adirondack mountains and along Lake George. It really made for a nice change from the bland tollway driving.

Crossing over the bridge to Vermont we could practically taste the Maple syrup in the air. Just being in Vermont had us excited we knew that it was just a matter of time before we were at our friends. I was stoked because Vermont is so different from Illinois. Illinois is flat, nature scrubbed, track-home laden and boring. From what I have seen of Vermont, it is wooded, green, mountainous and a complete 180 of what I am used to seeing in Illinois.

As we pulled into Jericho the thing that really threw me for a loop was the complete and utter lack of fast food restaurants and annoying billboards, signs and clutter. There just don’t exist, and as I would learn later it was on purpose. Wicked cool if you ask me.

In no time we found ourselves on Old Pump road, crossing a one lane bridge over the Browns river. We turned down the road to their house, road mind you, not driveway and I just fell in love with the land, the river and woods. When my friends moved from Illinois I was really bummed, but after seeing Vermont and their home I could not be more supportive of their move. In fact, I find myself thinking about moving here.

More of the Vermont Adventure to come in Part 2.