For the first 50 years of my life, my perfectionist self mistakenly believed it was all about knowing more, getting it right, planning, attempting to prevent bad things from happening, and keeping all of my chicks in a row. It took me this long to discover that the JOURNEY is all that matters. This quote from Gilda Radner sums it all up:

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. "

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Going Solo - Day 1

Last weekend was Family Weekend at UVM and we all went to Burlington to spend time with Kerry.  This weekend is Family Weekend at Middlebury College.  Since Annie needs to stay home this weekend,  I volunteered to come back to Vermont by myself. 

If anyone is feeling bad for me, don't.  I have been looking forward to it all week.  This morning I woke up early to take the dogs for a walk before I left. Then I packed up my things and headed out for a great day!  The journey would be just as nice as the destination because today, instead of trying to beat the destination time on the GPS, I intended to stop whenever and wherever I wanted to stop.  I would pull over to take pictures and I would explore every little shop along the way that sparked my curiosity! I would MEANDER!  I love that word!

When I got off I91 onto Rt. 103 in Vermont, I saw a kitchen store that was never there before and just had to go inside. 





I loved the side of this building!


Another stop for a picture of this colorful water wheel.


Meet my new friend, Harry.  Or maybe it's Hairy.  He was very cute!



Not all Vermonters graduate from college, or even high school!

     
I arrived in Middlebury at about 1:15 PM, just in time to meet Adam before his next class - Italian! I took 2 semesters of Italian when I was in college 30 years ago.  I was surprised at how much I could understand!





The Italian class sings "Volare" in the beginning of  class!


The sky to the east was dark and made such a nice contrast to the beautifully lit stone buildings on campus!







In back of Adam's dorm, a band played, pumpkins were carved, apple cider and cider donuts were served!



The basement of Adam's dorm was filled with very interesting graffiti.


Notice the bullet wound to the head!


The town of Middlebury


This picture was taken while I was driving - one handed out my window.  I wasn't even looking in the viewfinder!



Some scarecrows in front of the Shelburne Country  Store.


After spending the afternoon with Adam,  we headed to Burlington to have dinner with Kerry.  We went to a cute coffee shop called the Muddy Waters after dinner for some hot chocolate.  Then Kerry and I went to the hotel and Adam went back to Middlebury.  It was such a nice, relaxing day!
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4 comments:

  1. AnnieOctober 9, 2010 at 9:06 AM

    I laughed out loud at the comment "beat the GPS!" That is the only way Jim drives :)
    I love the meandering! I want to drive like that with you sometime, OK?

    ReplyDelete
  2. GayleOctober 9, 2010 at 12:16 PM

    That would be fun, Ann!

    ReplyDelete
  3. LynnOctober 10, 2010 at 10:20 PM

    Another fun blog Gayle!! I love your photos and I see I'm not the only crazy woman who takes photos while driving.... ;-)
    Beating the GPS time is only natural!!! LOL!!!! Doesn't everyone do that?? It's the 'need for speed'. Or so I explain to the judge every time I help the economy in various counties and states... Hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  4. GayleOctober 11, 2010 at 9:21 AM

    My husband also has the "need for speed". I am trying to reform! I really enjoyed the relaxed drive this past weekend!

    ReplyDelete

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