Vermont, Leaf Peeping and Navigating Dirty Cabins
I've always wanted to experience the changing of the leaves. Now is my time.
The directions to our new short term rental were not very clear. We left New York around 1:30 pm bound for an eight day adventure in Vermont. When we reached cabin number 16 on Summit Road, it was after sunset. We struggled in the last hour to find our way. The last road had no street lights and it was dark. Really dark. Out in the country and mountains dark.
I didn’t need to worry about unlocking the cabin door with a key. I was given a numbered code to unlock the front door which opened easily.
That was the end of the good news.
When Debbie and I entered the two bedroom, two story cabin, our hearts quickly sank. The furniture upstairs was dated. The couch was awful. The place was small. But, the worst part of it was that the cabin was not clean from the previous people who slept, showered and ate here. The beds were unmade. There was still random garbage left in trash cans.
Even though we were tired after the five and a half hour drive from New York, there was no way we were sleeping in this place.
Debbie quickly jumped on the phone and called the reservation emergency hotline. She received the phone number in an email after we initially reserved the cabin. A nice guy, Brian, answered Debbie’s call. He not familiar with the property but said he would try to assist.
Debbie called back agin a short time later and Brian suggested switching to a second unit, within the same ski resort. He said we should be fine there.
We repacked the Toyota and moved to the second unit. Once we entered this cabin, we quickly discovered it was bigger, more modern. This cabin was also two story and had three bedrooms. Not that we really needed more than one.
However, this rental was also dirty. Well, part of it was clean.
It looked like someone was in the middle of cleaning up the cabin, dropped everything and just walked out. In a hurry. The beds were made and the sheets were changed, but the previously used bedding was on the ground. In a pile. Between the kitchen and the wood dining table.
Now, it was about 9 pm and we didn’t have much of a choice.
Debbie returned to the phone and called Brian again. Not many options indeed.
We came very close to booking a hotel room for the night. Were not even sure we could find someone to sell us a room. When I stopped in the nearby ski lodge when we first arrived, no one could be found in the lobby. it did not seem like a great option.
By the end of Debbie’s phone conversation with Brian we agreed to stay the night and were given the larger cabin. The next morning, the cleaning crew returned and made our temporary home clean.
Not a great start. It was our first mishap on this extended road trip, after enjoying so many terrific experiences in short term rentals and hotels. Las Vegas odds would have said it was bound to happen at some point.
So now we are now in Vermont. My first time here.
The state has a few nicknames. Old Dominion. Mother of Presidents. Mother of States and the Cavalier State.
I just know it is awfully rettyhere. My camera is set to work overtime with the hopes of capturing fall’s changing colors.
Leaf peeping as it is referred to now.
All I know is that I am chasing the natural beauty as I see it through the camera’s lens. I am just getting started but this is a sample from the first 48 hours in Vermont.
Resources for Leaf Peeping
Fall Foliage Prediction Map - Interactive by date around the U.S.
Are you in Virginia or Vermont?
If Virginia, make sure you head out to Skyline Drive. The colors will be very impressive in a few weeks.