Day 16 Tuesday May 22

How glorious. Writing this at the picnic bench at our site in North Clarenden sp? VT near Rutland. It's just glorious weather although only in upper 30s at night. Another empty camp. When I checked in I asked when the season started. One thing lead to another with the lady bursting into tears because it was such a bad year. Yikes. I was afraid to ask why but she had mentioned earlier that 21 years ago she wasn't here because she was giving birth. Maybe related. She was too upset to ask. The camp is in a little disarray and the office is a mess so I don't think things are going well.

Anyway. We had a great day in Bennington, VT. Most of the guys have beards. Startied with breakfast at the Bean and Leaf. Everything a little too tofu and hummus. This is site of the Battle of Bennington in the Revolutionary War where they beat back the Hesssians sp? Huge monument (tallest thing in Vermont) with fabulous views. Also went to great old church where many from the battle on both sides are buried. See pictures. We only got in because the organist was walking up as we got there to practice and let us in. She spends winters in St. Pete. Very nice of her. It is so beautiful and you would think it was built yesterday. In great shape. Saw a painting of a Black mininster preaching in the church when we were in the museum

Then onto the Covered Bridge Museum which is part of another art center that had some great Indian stuff. Learned a lot about covered bridges like -- why are they covered? No, they were covered to protect the wooden trusses from the elements so they would last longer. Because Vermont is a small state they have more per mile than anywhere else. We tried to see an actual one but no place to park to take pictures and afraid we couldn't get through so we just drove by.

Admission to that museum also included the Bennington Museum which included Grandma Moses wing and the schoolhouse where she went to school. I am not a fan of her work but nice to see. What we really liked were cases and cases of every day tools and sewing machines and toys, etc. Lots of fun. The covered bridge exhibit in that museum from the Smithsonion was closed today but we did we see a carving of a covered bridge on a huge tree fungus. Unbelievable.

On our way up Route 7 towards Burlington and Lake Champlain. Sun is setting so I'll close.