1. Marsh, Billings, Rockefeller Mansion2. Pond at entrance of Quechee Campground
August 27, Wednesday: Drove 6 miles into the town of Woodstock. I know you get tired of me saying ...how adorable these towns are but that is true they are so quaint. Great buildings! We went through Woodstock to find the Marsh, Billings, Rockefeller Mansion. We checked in at the Billings Farm & Museum to buy tickets for the farm and mansion. They are across the street from each other. Of course to get to the Mansion you have to walk up hill......now I am not complaining.........ok a little. Our first view was spectacular! The entire estate was given to the National Park Forestry Department, all 550 acres, in 1992. It was opened to the public in 1998. It was fascinating to us because the Rockefeller just walked out. Leaving it as though they would be back soon. The original owner was Charles Marsh, Sr. who gave it to his son, Charles, Jr. Marsh was one of the earliest people to manage natural resources. The next family was the Billings family. Frederick Billings grew up in the Woodstock area but went to the California Gold Rush and made his fortune as an attorney. Upon returning he bought the Mansion and made many changes to the structure. He also expanded the dairy farm hiring a Scotsman named Aiden. This allowed Billings to concentrate on forest development. Laurence Rockefeller married Billings' granddaughter Mary. Hence the Rockefeller part of the house. Lots of painting from this period. There are several hiking paths but we were unable to use them.
Walked around the dairy farm and saw a Jersey calf that was just two hours old. The 1890 house that the manager and his family lived in. It is a working non-profit organization. Very nice farm.
Now it is lunch time. Off to the Woodstock Inn to eat in the Red Rooster restaurant. Larry had lobster in a lite garlic tomato sauce and I had smoked cheddar, chicken, and roasted red pepper salad. Good! Good!
Found Bev's office to get our syrup. She had talked to her husband, Ted, who was nice enough to invite us out to see his operation of maple syrup. So went back fed and walked the dogs. Then back to follow Bev home. She lives 10 miles out of Woodstock and what a beautiful commute. I can only imagine what the hills look like doing the colors. What a production! It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. In a normal season they go through 65-70 chords of wood to cook the sap down. Can only guess at the total man hours. They have tubes tapped into the trees which then connect to tubing that goes into holding tanks. A much bigger operation than the pictures we have seen in the past where you hang a bucket under a hole in a tree. Larry and Ted talked about a lot more than I have put here.
We left their place about 8:30pm. Ted and Bev cannot thank you enough for the personalized tour. Hope to meet up again on the road with your fifth-wheel.
A very busy day!
Good Night!
August 28, Thursday: Quiet day. Doing everyday stuff and trying to recoup from yesterday.
Beautiful weather today for sitting outside and walking.
Moving on towards Maine tomorrow.
Good Night!
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