Roadtripping Through New England - Massachusetts to Vermont

I know I've already mentioned it a few times, but I LOVE road trips. Florida road trips are kind of a bummer--- unless you like swamps, offensive billboards, and love bugs that is. (I mean, I don't mind those things, but obviously a more scenic road trip is where it's at). Alex and I have had this Massachusetts trip planned for a while--- and we knew that while were were up here we would want to do a bit of exploring (we're not big sitters on vacation), but we didn't know what we wanted to do or where we wanted to go. I knew I had been promising Marlowe a trip to New York for a while now, so that was a possibility. And I've always wanted to show Alex Rhode Island (still on a one day to do list), but I also knew that Alex had never been to Burlington and a (chilly) drive through the mountains of northern/western MA and through the entire state of Vermont would be awesome.
This trip has been good. I wish it was longer so I could see more of the people I love, but other than that--- the road trips have been good and the weather has been great---- temporarily great ;) I couldn't live up here again, but we got the much needed chilly break that we were looking for. And it was cool to get away with Alex, even just overnight for some alone time together. I'm probably mistaken, but I don't know if we've done that since our honeymoon? Either way, it's been nice to pack a weekend bag, some sweaters, and jump in the car and just drive. Honestly, we weren't sure if we were going to rent a car or not, even taking part in an enterprise campaign, it wasnt required of us and we weren't sure we needed a car (we originally planned to take a train to New York)--- but when all is said and done, I'm SO SO happy we rented a car. It was nice to not rely on others and have the freedom to roam around a enjoyably explore. In this past week alone, we drove to Burlington, VT (practically canada), back down to Massachusetts, down to New York, back to Massachusetts, and yesterday we hopped in the car in search of the home/farm that Alex proposed to me at--- we didn't find it, but we found a bunch of other neat local hidden gems in the area instead. If I could have it my way, we'd always be able to hop in the car and explore---- and the weather would always be perfect and sunny and everyone would have big open farms for us to visit ;)

We opted to take the slower scenic route north--- and we accidentally took it home too :) It takes about an hour longer, but it's SO worth it in my opinion.

Admittedly, my favorite part of our Massachusetts to Vermont road trip was our first stop. I say it often, but I love the internet. Whether it's on twitter, Facebook, or wherever, I love being able to ask what feels like the word for recommendations. I asked my Facebook for road trip stop suggestions, and within minutes was recommended the most amazing market--- like, my official new favorite market. Like, if I lived in the area I would live at the market. And if you're ever in the area you NEED to go to the market. It's just amazing how small our world has become--- and such a wonderful thing to find these local gems to visit--- without the suggestion, I would have had no idea to stop--- and I would have missed out on some of the most delicious food.

cai's dim sum. so so so good.

So many kids! And babies! And baby wearing! And tie dye ;)

I'm not sure why this started or became so amusing to us, but we now have an abundant amount of photos of Alex gazing out into nature.

we found the tropics! aka a poo-powered bio-dome right in the middle of vermont :)

After 25 years of knowing this girl, we are such polar opposites, but still some how end up looking more alike--- I showed up in jeans, a black sweater, and a scarf--- she had on jeans, white sweater, white scarf. Almost identical rings, and nose rings, and too much hair forever.

sherpa kitchen

I need this in my life.

a single pebble

winning at awkward photos since the 1980's

So, this sounds silly, but Vermont was a bit of a culture shock for us. I mean, yes, we live in the united states, but south florida is SO different than northern New England. Where are all my cuban accents and avocados at? :) I love both parts so much--- but I guess being away so long, I forgot how very different it is. The tree-lined highways, and barn-home antique shops, it used to be so normal in my life. But now, living in florida so long, I've forgotten how secluded (in a good way) everything feels. I mean, living in the tropics, I just assume that everyone feels heat, humidity, and constant sun like we do. It's such a norm for us--- but then we step out of the car and it's a completely different world in its own. It's so normal, for everyone up here but something forgotten when you're away for so long. It makes me want and need a full on across America family road trip. It's been so long since I've had one of those :) I've loved my north and south road trips. And I loved the ride from Massachusetts to Arizona. But Arizona to Florida, I could do without--- or I would do it much differently at least :) Oh, and I would totally drive to Canada again, hey. Yeah, I love road trips that much, haha :)
the drive: worcester, MA to burlington, VT. we took route 2 (the slower scenic option) to 91 north, to 89 north.
do: brattleboro farmers market all the rest stops in vermont. No seriously, sounds silly, but there's some cool stuff in there. and TONS of brochures on things to do--- I know, all rest stops have brochures, drea. but you can find EVERYTHING. Our favorite was the one on 89 north between Sharon and Bethal. #poopowered
see: church street, burlington VT lake champlain hippies
eat: the brattleboro farmers market (brattleboro VT) a vegan foodie dream. sherpa kitchen (burlington, VT) traditional Nepalese food! lots of vegan options. hooray! a single pebble - (burlington, VT) I'm sure everyday is great, but we were lucky enough o be visiting on a sunday for dim sum brunch. If you're vegan just specify that when you go in and they will be sure to bring the vegan options by the table!


ps. follow along with @ohdeardrea and @enterprise on twitter, where I'll be taking part in a twitter chat (my first ever!) talking about travel fun. The chat will be on the 27th, at 7pm. Hooray!
In other news: I have 10 million photos from the past three weeks. Hope you guys don't mind the overloading of family photos--- cause there is A LOT ;)
Have a great weekend, friends! If you need me, I'll be doing my standard pre-departure flight routine: booze. Florida, here we come.
*this post was sponsored by enterprise