Sky High Foliage

Montpelier, Vermont is our new base in the United States…..and we timed our arrival pretty well.  Famous for its fall foliage, the whole place seems like a technicolor workshop during September and October.

Plethora of Pumpkins

Utility Macs

Small farms are everywhere so it’s easy to find hand-picked fruits and vegetables…..such as these “utility macs”, perfectly named because they can be used in so many wonderful dishes……..baked in pies, stewed, roasted, made into applesauce or chutney.  Crunchy, cool, clean tasting and a true harbinger of fall.

State Capital

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont and is actually the smallest capital city in America.  The State House is more than 160 years old.  After living in Florence for so many years, maybe we can only be comfortable when there’s a duomo within sight.

Ceres on Top

The duomo has recently been restored to its shining glory, highlighting the statue on top, a representation of Ceres the Roman goddess of agriculture.

Building of Many Bricks

Architecture here is dramatically different from our Florentine views……buildings are either brick or wood and they’re old (at least by American standards).  But they are noble and proud and give a sense of stability….they are also quintessentially New England in style.

Main Street Steeple

Churches and their steeples play a large part in the landscape of town…they are individual and the ones with clocks ring out the hours, even throughout the night….

Main Street Steeple #2

From the top of one of the surrounding hills, the view of town is sweet….a cluster of homes and stores and churches and all the things that constitute daily life in New England.

Small Town Life

It’s a peaceful haven in a mountain setting…..with that shiny new duomo making its mark.  Seems like a protected, hidden away little gem of a place, don’t you think?

Vermont Country Life