Moon Vermont (Moon Handbooks) by Smith Jen Rose

Author:Smith, Jen Rose [Smith, Jen Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avalon Travel
Published: 2016-05-24T04:00:00+00:00

Sights

Randolph is heaven to covered-bridge hunters, with three that were built in the same year, 1904. No fewer than five more covered bridges span the river in the nearby town of Northfield. Three of them are lined up on Cox Brook Road, including two that can be seen at once (the only place that’s true in the whole state). The pick of the bunch is the Braley Bridge, with an unusual truss design, on self-referential Braley Covered Bridge Road in East Randolph.

The Randolph Historical Museum (9 Pleasant St., Randolph, 802/728-6677, 2pm-4pm third Sun. of the month May-Oct., admission by donation) is one of the better small historical museums in the state. It exhibits the tombstone of Justin Morgan, owner of the colt that started the bloodline of the famous Morgan horse, one of the first breeds developed in America. (The tombstone for the horse, meanwhile, is in a graveyard in nearby Tunbridge.) Other exhibits include a reconstructed early barbershop and drugstore.

Most dairy farmers are too busy milking and feeding the cows to have much time for entertaining guests. The family farmers at the all-organic Neighborly Farms of Vermont (1362 Curtis Rd., Randolph, 802/728-4700, www.neighborlyfarms.com , 8am-2pm Mon.-Thurs. year-round) are an exception, happy to show off their 50 Holsteins and demonstrate milking and cheese making (10 different varieties) to visitors. Be sure to try the farm’s clothbound cheddar, which took the gold medal in the Eastern States Exhibition—in Vermont that’s worth bragging rights for life. In the spring, the farm runs a maple sugar operation as well.

You won’t find many breweries smaller than the two-man brew shack at Bent Hill Brewery (1972 Bent Hill Rd., Braintree, 802/249-1125, 2pm-5pm Fri., noon-5pm Sat.-Sun., free samples) where Mike Czok and Cody Montgomery grow hops on site and turn out an impressive quantity of beer from their 50-gallon system. Their brews tend to be malty, flavorful, and not too hoppy. The Blood Orange Imperial IPA is a standout, as is the Maple Red Ale. There’s also a sugar shack on site, and maple syrup is available for sale.

A little bit farther down the road is another great farm worth a visit. Fat Toad Farm (787 Kibbee Rd., Brookfield, 802/279-0098, www.fattoadfarm.com , farm store 10am-4pm daily, tours by reservation, $12 adults, $5 children 6-12, under 6 free) turns their goats’ milk into caramels of all kinds, most notably a variation on the Mexican version of dulce de leche called cajeta. Inspiration for the concoction was brought back by one of the farmer’s daughters after a study abroad in Mexico, and the combination of tangy sweetness has fast become a local favorite. The farm runs a small self-serve store with varieties including vanilla, cinnamon, and coffee. The farm can be tricky to find; it’s just 10 minutes from the interstate, but roads are poorly signed. It’s much easier to use the hand-drawn map on the farm website, which includes step-by-step instructions, or you can pick up a free copy at Floyd’s Store (2964 Rte. 66, Randolph, 802/728-5333).

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