Fall Colors in Vermont/New Hampshire

A “feast for the eyes” – this is the phrase that describes this beautiful place. The rolling hills are a patchwork of orange-yellow-red-green. The trees are glorious! We’ve had more overcast skies than sunny skies, but the two sunny days created unforgettable memories of brilliant color.

Our first full day in this area was a Sunday, and I found an “Open and Affirming” UCC church in the phone book in a small rural town not far from where we were staying. It was wonderful! We felt right at home, and would return often if we stayed in the area. It was World Communion Sunday, and they had many global prayers and liturgies and communion bread. The children were included in much of the service. The sermon was very inclusive and encouraging of the congregation to uphold the progressive ideals of the denomination. The prayers had peace and justice themes. The minister had written words to one of the hymns—very meaningful and inclusive.

We then drove through the beautiful New Hampshire area, and found an Apple Festival in Stratford with apple cider pressing, fiddling, scarecrow contest, great homemade food, free popcorn, apple tasting and cheese, storytelling, etc. It was held at the Justin Smith Morrel Historic site – He was a congressman who wrote the land grant act, among other things. We also learned that William Sloan Coffin, one of the greatest prophetic voices of our time, lived in that community. We were shown the house his wife still lives in. We passed by in a moment of tribute and thanksgiving. We ended up at Hanover, Dartmouth College. Great to be in that college environment on a gorgeous day!

We drove through the Green Mountains in Vermont, and the White Mountains in New Hampshire on a couple different days, taking some short trail hikes. The fall colors weren't quite at their peak, the locals said, because it had been so warm! But to us they were beautiful!

We’ve gone to a maple syrup and cheese farm – lots of tasting possibilities! Did you know it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make one gallon of pure maple syrup? It looks like water when the trees are tapped, then goes through an evaporation process to get that great taste.

One of the places I was most looking forward to visiting in Vermont was the Weston Priory. (See photo of cross on their property.) I have listened to the music of the Monks of Weston Priory for years. It was thrilling to sit in their small, simple chapel and have the 13 monks walk in for mid-day prayers, and lead prayer through song. They have 3-4 prayer times during the day – what a wonderful way to have songs of prayer in your head and spirit all day long. Some of their hymns and photos show them dancing, and as we left, they were rehearsing a dance. Our hearts danced as well!