RV Date 08.02.21 Johnson VT spooky territories

I'm telling you....there is something out there.....

We are in a gorgeous campsite. Maplewoods Campground in Johnson VT. It is on Route 100C. Our front yard is probably a 2 acre grass slope of a few gently rolling levels which fronts on to VT100C. We lucked out and got one of the premier sites that front up to the meadow. On the other side of VT100C the pines take over, up the increasingly steeper hills and down into the gulches the forest marches into the 5 mountain peaks we are staring at. Mt. Mansfield, highest point in VT, is to our left looking like a tree covered, long dormant volcano sitting by itself. There is a ridge line that seems to run off the West or Northwest shoulder of the mountain tying into 3 additional peaks before descending slightly and then rising again to an additional high peak very close to us. The campground is amazingly clean and spacious. I was concerned as we are closing in on the east coast with the potential for overcrowding. However, these spots are very large. I have been in various places which would cram 3 to 4 RV's/Trailers into the space we have to sprawl in. I'm currently sitting next to the fire ring with my Sweetie pie, and although it is not dark yet it is still mesmerizing to stare at the beautiful sites and enjoy the smell of wood smoke and listen to the snap and crackle of the fire. We have not explored much of the campground yet other than a couple of walks around with the Killer Chihuahuas; Lizzy and Paco-Man. I did see a few out buildings, Showers and Laundry I think , as well as a covered pavilion from a distance. It is a level campground with multiple spots for all types of camping enjoyment. Nice little office and store (WHICH ALSO HAS HARD SCOOP ICECREAM - Bonus) that has quite a bit of clothing, toys, RV supplies... Very Nice place and we will be here for several days. I can only imagine how stunning the vew will be in mid to late September when the colors take over the mountain slopes.

We got here yesterday, fairly early in the afternoon and were able to move straight into our site. The drive from NY was okay-ish. It was on 2 lane highways most of the way as we wanted to drive down through the middle of Lake Champlain. It was raining off and on through the drive but not too heavy and wasn't bad for most of the drive. As we closed within an hour of the campground the rain eased off to a sporadic mist. However, the roads got a bit skinnier and a lot more curvy. No more straight a way's, weaving in and around the hills and small towns. Speed limit of 50 and then 30 and then 50 with 30 and 40 MPH curves going in opposite directions. The curves were sometimes sharp and had to worry about keeping the trailer in the lane so I wasn't brushing cars off. I was building a small following of cars that wanted to do 70, but would shake them off as we came to various road junctions. Oh by the way, we noticed in NE New York and here as well, that the roads have various branches but it is the same road number with a letter added. So VT100 to VT100C (i don't know what happened to B, maybe it fell off the hill), anyways just had to mention it. By the time we made it to the campground I was ready to pull in. The sun started peeking through the gloom and we got our home all set up, lawn chairs out and time to watch the low clouds overcome the peaks and slide down the slopes to us. Light rain started, and then heavier and it drove us inside. Terri went in first and got the fireplace going while I finished putting stuff away outside, like the chairs we just got out...... But all in all that was ok because since this place has cable, we were going to see our first day of the Olympics, and, we could still look out at the mountains through the mist and clouds because our trailer is rear living. If you are unfamiliar with trailers and RV's this means our living room is at the back and we have a picture window to look out. Life is great. Pop in the door, and it is toasty after the damp blustery weather. Fire place is going, Olympics are on and Terri is in a Lazy Boy trying to see past the septic tote that is hanging over most of the picture window (Going to have to find a new place for that). It rained the rest of the night and was still raining at dawn when I woke up, but it was beginning to let up and clear off. By 8 the clouds had mostly left the mountains they had been covering, and mist started pouring off the ground amongst the pine trees twisting in an ever rising spiral as it left the warm ground to join the departing clouds above. There are spots however, spots where either the mist did not want to leave, or, the pines did not want to let it go as the pine needles sucked in the moisture collecting on them. I think it was then that I knew for sure there was something out there. A sense or a feeling, that all was not as it seemed.

So for todays activities we met some interesting people, drove up a ski lift, and got an electric bill for the house we sold in June for $5,416.00. "Oh, just ignore that" I was told when I called. Well, then why send it to me if I should ignore it........We will see how this one goes.

We went on a scenic driving tour that Terri found this morning. Up and down and around it was a beautiful drive. We weren't pulling the trailer, so I got to enjoy this drive for now. We were heading towards a private Toll road at the top of Mt. Mansfield The last few minutes of the drive put us in the middle of Ski Resorts on both sides of the road. Steep and rugged looking, the bared runways sliced through the forest in all directions. Pretty cool. We arrived at the Toll road which is actually a ski Resort. Gondolas tracked over our heads as they made their way to the top of the opposite peak. The clouds were still covering the peaks up here and you would lose sight of the gondolas as they entered the clouds below the peak tops. We spoke to a very nice employee at the gate who explained the trip up the slope, do and dont's, and that since it was still socked in, we might want to do something else for 2 or 3 hours to let the clouds finish leaving. He mentioned a number of local things we could do and we chose driving up to smugglers notch and then back down to lunch at the Trapp Family Lodge (Yes the same von Trapp family from the Sound of Music). Well I thought the roads had been curvy before! Driving up to smugglers notch I could swear I could see both the front and back of my truck as we had to hairpin around gigantic granite boulders. When we reached the notch we couldn't find a parking place so we could get out and look around as they were all full, so turn around and back down the hill we go. You know, its amazing the amount of people there are who don't understand that they have to stay on their side of the road when they are driving on a narrow road. Well we made it to the von Trapp restaurant/brewery right about 12:30 and there were only a few cars in the parking lot, found a nice empty area and pulled our truck in. We have our bikes mounted on the front of the truck so we need a little more room than normal to park. Excellent the closest car is about 60 feet away and there are only 3 or 4 cars in the 2 level parking area. As you walk up to the building there is an outdoor eating area to the right of the main building with tons of tables with umbrellas and a covered section with 8 to 10 picnic tables. Before we went in, we took a few minutes to look around at the scenery which was beautiful and to savor the wonderful smell of what was cooking. Smelled like a slow cooked beef brisket to me. So, as the sign directed us, inside we went to see the host for outside dining. Other than 3 or 4 people in line buying some of the handcrafted beer, the place was practically empty. Maybe 5 people at the bar area, 1 table by the far window and 2 couples outside at individual tables. After a short wait the Host approached and asked if he could help us.

"A table for 2 outside please" says Terri

- "Do you have a reservation?" is the reply with a sneer and the lift of the left eyebrow.

Terri and I look at each other and then back out at the empty restaurant - "No" Terri replies.

- Flipping back and forth through his appointment book and being all put out the Host states: "Well, you can't have a table with an umbrella because those are all saved for the people who made reservations".

Of course I had hit my nonsense level by then and said - You only have 1 table being used outside (One of the couples had already left) but that's fine we will take a table without an umbrella.

Huffing slightly, and I'm sure I heard "Peasant" mumbled, the Host asked us if we were able to scan the QR code for our menu, and then said "Oh never mind, I will give you a paper menu anyways with the unsaid "Stupid Boomers" showing in his eyes. We were escorted out to our table and with a sniffle, quick pivot and nose in the air, he marched back inside to eagerly await for the appropriately reserved clientele that he expected. We were dying by now. He had placed us at the very next table to the only other couple who obviously had made the same grievous error of not making a reservation. Of course all of the tables had a sign about social distancing and they were appropriately spaced, but we were placed 6 feet away from the only other couple and the other 50 or so tables spread across the veranda were EMPTY, including 6 or 7 more tables without the umbrellas. By now Terri and I are giggling with each other and imitating his behavior. About 20 minutes later we watched as he escorted a family who had the good graces to actually plan and reserve a table. All smiles, he led the family to one of the umbrellaed tables. Placing their silverware for them he gestures with a slight bow and sweep of his left hand; "Your Table, please enjoy your repast". Pleased with himself he glides back through the open door to his Kingdom.........

Stay tuned and tomorrow I well explain about Terri saying, "I told you so" and the drive up the ski run....