Day 21 – Green Mountain Highway

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Day 21 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

My drive today took me south on the Green Mountain Highway to Killington, Vermont.  In order to connect to the scenic route 100 from the campgrounds, I took 17 east over the mountain and through the woods of fabulous fall foliage to Waitsfield instead of grandmother’s house. 

Texas Falls Recreation Area

From Waitsfield, I turned south on the Green Mountain Highway to Hancock. From Hancock we detoured west on Middlebury Gap Road to visit Texas Falls Recreation Area. Being from Texas, I had to visit Texas Falls just because of the name.  The bridge to the trail was closed.  It is being replaced with ARRA money, but no one was working.  As a result of the closure, I admired the crystal clear waters of Texas Brook from its shores. It flowed over the granite rock with a faint blue tone.  I could only imagine its ice cold temperature.

Green Mountain National Forest

From Texas Falls, we drove slightly further west along Middlebury Gap Road to its highest point at Robert Frost Wayside Area. This part of Green Mountain National Forest is dedicated to Robert Frost who lived in nearby Ripton.  In the 7^th grade, I had to memorize one of his poems, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening”.  I still remember the first two verses:

“Whose woods these are, I think I know.  His house is in the village though.

He will not see me stopping here to watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer, to stop without a farmhouse near.

Between the woods and frozen lake, the darkest evening of the year.”

Brandon Gap

After a brief stop at the picnic area, we returned to Green Mountain Highway where we headed south to our next turnoff to Brandon Gap near Goshen.  We went for a hike along the Long Trail, Vermont’s 265-mile “footpath in the wilderness” that follows the crest of the mountains from Massachusetts to Canada.  The climb to the crest was very much like the ones in New York, steep and rocky.  The top afforded lovely views of crimson red Green Mountains during this fall season.

Gifford Woods State Park

After my short yet vigorous hike, I again returned to the Green Mountain Highway where my dogs and I camped at Gifford Woods State Park near Killington, Vermont.  Each campsite was very private.  As I was driving around to pick my site, I ran into Nick, from New Hampshire, who was hiking the Appalachian Trail.  Earlier in the year, he hiked 800 miles of it.  This time, he started a month ago and plans to hike 500 miles assuming the weather holds as he goes North.  He had already lost 50 pounds!  He’s supposed to keep me posted on his travels.

Killington, Vermont

Once again, I met up with Kord, a fellow Eurovan owner. We enjoyed dinner in Killington at McGrath’s Irish Pub.  Murray, the owner makes a mean grilled cheese, slaw and French onion soup!  It was nice to have a real meal, a beer, and heat before we went back to camp to hang by the fire. Until tomorrow…ETB

Map of My Road Trip Across the USA

For a summary about my road trip across the USA, click HERE. For the interactive map, see the below link.

Other Articles About Vermont You May Like

• Day 18 – Lake Champlain Loop
• Day 19 – Lake Champlain Loop – Part 2
• Day 20 – Lake Champlain Loop and the Adirondacks
• Day 22 – Green Mountain Highway – Part 2
• Day 24 – Vermont’s Quiet Corner

Shop

Check out the photographic note cards and key chains at my shop.  Each card has a travel story associated with it.  20% of proceeds are donated to charity.

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