Bec – 12 November 2011

Who would have thought that you could find all 3 of my favourite things in one American East Coast state, Vermont.

The birthplace, and still to this day, the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and of our hosts, Sam and Michelle Labow.

We’ve spent the last three days being spoilt rotten by Stowe and all it has to offer. We’ve experienced beautiful sunny days, followed by snow dumps and hail.

Let it snow let it snow let it snow

Yes…Stowe has it all…a little like Melbourne…the possibility of four seasons in one day.

The main reason for our visit to Stowe was to see Sam and Michelle, whom I have not seen since I stayed with them after Mum died 15 years ago. Neither one of them has changed a bit, they are still the incredibly generous, warm, tactile people I remember.

Sari absolutely adored her time with Michelle

This was an opportunity for them to meet the children and Jamie. Both have been officially approved…thank goodness.

We set off this morning after a light breakfast to the Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream factory which is only ten minutes away. It wasn’t that crowded…maybe it had something to do with it being only 6 degrees outside and a little too cold for ice cream…but try telling a four year old that …..or for that matter Michelle…….who loves her ice cream.

It’s a great tour of the premises and you really get the sense that Ben and Jerry’s is a unique operation….a company that is successfully able to balance shareholder’s profits with corporate and environmental responsibility. In this day and age that’s a big call!

Stowe, Vermont itself is a beautiful example of a small rural New England town. The town has very strict rules regarding the restoration of buildings and as a result it has maintained the magical feel of a fairytale dolls house set in rolling green hills, complete with wooden covered bridges.

A picture perfect Post Office

We’ll be very sad to leave Stowe tomorrow morning knowing that it may be quite a long time before we are back again, but just like the Von Trapp family from Salzburg, who finally settled here after escaping Nazi Austria……..so long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!