The Family Farm

It all started with this picture of a freshly plowed field and a team of horses, with the title “In Vt.” written in the sky. This picture, and Grandma Nina’s fond stories about the World War I years she and Grandpa Lionel spent on the farm in Vermont got me wondering. Could this be the farm? There wasn’t much to go on except that low range of mountains in the background.

In Vermont

I learned that my dad's second cousin, Wesley, and his wife, June, still lived in Vermont, and contacted them via email only the week before we left for Boston. I was thrilled when Wes responded, and we arranged to meet in Vergennes, Vermont for a family tour, and then drive to Essex for a late lunch.

Vergennes, Vermont

Grandpa Lionel was born in 1884, and was raised on the family farm near Vergennes. Grandpa and his siblings swam and fished in Otter Creek, which cut through the farm. He attended Vergennes High School, and claimed to not have been a very good student, but seemed to enjoy playing football.

Grandpa Lionel (first row, far right) and the Vergennes High School football team - 1903

Grandma Nina was born in 1892. Her family owned a store in Halstead Kansas, and then moved to Rialto, California in 1905 for her father’s health. Grandma was 13. Grandpa rode the rails from Vermont to California to visit family, arriving in Rialto the day after Grandma’s family arrived. Grandpa was 21. They both attended the same church in Rialto, and Grandpa became fast friends with Grandma’s older brother, Claude.

When Grandma was 20, Grandpa proposed marriage. “Ask me again in a year,” she said. Grandma confided to me decades later that she was afraid he would forget, and not ask again. During that year, Grandma worked in a store and saved her money, and they continued to see each other in the church youth group. Grandpa didn’t forget. A year later, almost to the day, he proposed again, and this time she said yes.

Grandpa Lionel Harris - she finally said yes!

Grandma Nina - after she accepted Grandpa's proposal

HTML Tables

With great anticipation, my husband and I drove from The Vermont Inn to Vergennes, Vermont, up Highway 7 to meet Wes and June. I recognized Wes immediately. I could see the men of my family etched across his face, especially my Dad’s uncle, Clifford. We parked our rental car and headed off together with Wes and June for a family history tour. Wes is a genealogy and family history buff. He shared stories about the family and his recollection of the folks we share in common, and I pumped him for information (I appreciated the patience of our spouses)!



Wes and June by Otter Creek, near Otter Creek Falls 

We visited the Hawley cemetery where many of the Harris family ancestors are buried (some from the 1700s), and another cemetery where many Harris and Bristol ancestors are buried. I recognized many family names.

The Bristol Family Farm

The Harris Family Farm

Next we drove to the location of the two family farms – the Bristol farm and the Harris farm. What a thrill to see the prosperous silos of the Bristol farm on one side of the road, and the wooden barns and buildings of the Harris farm on the other. I recognized the Harris farm from the picture, with the low range of mountains in the background. Another family owns the land now, and we didn’t trouble them for a tour, but it was a great pleasure to see the farm is still in use. Here is where Grandpa spent his childhood. Here is where Grandma and Grandpa tended the farm during most of World War I, where they worked hard, but enjoyed being their own bosses.
 

Vermont – Home of Freedom and Unity

After a wonderful weekend in Boston, we headed north by rental car toward Killington, Vermont, less than three hours away. I'm always surprised how close together everything seems in the east compared to the west, and how cities actually end and are surrounded by countryside. It didn’t take long for us to leave the bustle of Boston, and find ourselves surrounded by beautiful forests that became more and more colorful as we headed north.

Off-roading in Vermont

We traveled on Interstates 93 and 89, through the southwestern corner of New Hampshire (Live Free or Die), and then into Vermont (Freedom and Unity). The slightest enticement—cemeteries, charming towns, vistas, colorful leaves, a winding road—was all we needed to pull over and explore. Our destination was The Vermont Inn, located mid-state off Highway 4 between Killington and Rutland, at the southern end of the Green Mountains, running like a backbone through the state. Remember Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys?

Freshly cut field

The American illustrator, Norman Rockwell, had a studio in the area, and one of my grandfather’s younger brothers was born nearby. From this central location, we headed out on day trips to explore the state where my paternal grandfather grew up, and where he returned with my grandmother for three happy years on the farm.

Seed pod

Vermont is tiny, by western standards, so you really can go exploring all day at a relaxed pace, and make it back to the inn for a great meal and cozy evening. We spent a whole day driving north on the historic Highway 100 to Newport, close to the Canadian border. Another day we drove south on Highway 7 to visit Hildene House, the summer estate of Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln. Another day we visited as many covered bridges as we could find, and spent time at the magnificent Quechee Gorge.

Covered bridge in Taftville, Vermont

The weather was perfect for most of the week – warm and temperate by day, with cool temperatures at night. We loved the farm-to-table cuisine, the rolling hills, the forests, and the people. To top it off, our leaf peeping was superb!

Quechee Gorge from the bridge

Hardscaping at Boston Public Garden

Boston Public Garden retains many hardscaping elements from the Victorian era. Hardscaping refers to landscape elements such as paths, fences, structures, and fountains that comprise the bones or structure of the garden. Here are a few of my favorites at Boston Public Garden.

Suspension Bridge

The serpentine lake is central to the garden design, so getting across the lake would require something special. The Victorian-era suspension bridge, added in 1867, is perfect. My only complaint was the continual foot traffic, making it difficult to stop and drink in the view on both sides of the lake!

Busy suspension bridge in Boston Public Garden

Paths

Walking paths meander through the park. Since you never see your ultimate destination, it is easy to slow down and just enjoy the journey. The wrought iron fence posts seem in period, encouraging you to stay on the path.



Winding paths encourage you to slow down and enjoy the garden

Statues

The park boast many statues (including the tribute to Make Way for Ducklings, which we did not see this visit, but I have enjoyed it in my previous trips). This statue of General George Washington on horseback is especially imposing.

General Washington in Boston Common Garden

Fountains

The fountains were turned off for the season during our fall visit, but water is a great addition to the garden. I can just imagine splashing children and feet soaking adults using this shady fountain. I probably relish fountains even more than I have in the past, thanks to the ongoing California drought!

Fountain drained for the fall and winter