Day 7: kicking around bennington

Our hotel is on the edge of Bennington, a typically small New England town with the green mountains in the background. This was our day to kick back and do not much. We meandered over to the cafe nearby and enjoyed a coffe and scone while catching up on the news.

Next, we wandered up the hill to the Bennington museum (10$ admittance, pass) and gen to the Bennington battle monument. This is in "old Bennington" which I guess was the first settlement. It's 5$ to go up in the Washington monument like structure and a great view of three states from the top. It's the tallest man made structure in Vermont (not much competition) and the 6th tallest monument in the country, according to the volunteer working the elevator.  It sure if that is impressive or not, but hey, it was worth the visit.

After that, we set out in our car to check out some covered bridges no less.

Super exciting

Nothing makes you feel like you are all of a sudden on a retirement trip than going to check out a bridge, simply due to it's novel lack of sunlight overhead. I guess they were cool enough.

Browns brewing was the real destination. Located on the hoosic falls of the hoosic river (in New York actually), it's in this cool old brick building, probably and old mill. We split a massive cheese plate and the full flight of beer and just took in the river from their outdoor eating area. 

Simply driving the county roads of New York and Vermont are interesting in themselves. They are made for an age before cars so the roads meander and the houses are right up next to it. We made our way to a winery nearby to find minneota designed grapes. Which sill aren't very good in New York. It was nice scenery at least. On the route back, we swung by the actual Bennington battlefield. Not a ton to see, but cool to check out and it was right in our road, I guess this was a bit of a turning point in the war (or at least sold as such) in terms of soundly defeating British troops and pushing them out of this area. Crazy to imagine guys marching over the country side shooting at each other 250 years ago. 

Back in town after a quick run, we ate the backpacking meal we would have had on the trail in the hotel room: chicken curry with freeze dried veggies. It was a new recipe that didn't turn out half bad and probably would have been awesome on the trail,

We walked down to Stewart's gas station after dinne for some ice cream. They actually have their own brand. Nothing amazing, but it got the job done. A fine day of kicking around small town New England.