artisan goods

When I dip my chicken into Cold Hollow Cider Mill’s honey mustard, a mustard with a sweet and spicy tang to it, or take a shower with my Ancient Mysteries Artisan Soap from Chasworth Farm, I am transported to a warm September Saturday at Burlington’s Farmers Market.

Band playing at Burlington Vermont Farmer's Market — Band playing at Burlington Vermont Farmer’s Market.

I think about the homemade root beer I drank that day while watching a musician duo play on the edge of the market. I casually wandered Burlington, exploring an abundance of fresh produce, homemade cosmetics, local food, and artwork at the farmer’s market.

It was the best farmer’s market I have been to because it had it all: live music, food, and local ingredients straight off the farm. The farmer who sold me beeswax lip balm didn’t even bother to label or brand the product as if to say “it is was what it is, and if you don’t like it don’t buy it!”

The farmer's market is located at City Hall Park and St. Paul Street. — The farmer’s market is located at City Hall Park and St. Paul Street.

Earlier that weekend, I had met my friend who is originally from Vermont. She showed me her hometown which also happens to be the capital of Vermont, Montpelier. We went out for breakfast to a place that had just opened its doors to the public. I would highly recommend Down Home Kitchen if you’re in the area.

The owner greeted us. She had been working hard for several months to gut the interior. She bought the space in a decrepit state. I would have never guessed because the place was sparkling clean and in great condition. The interior gives off a bright, open, and airy feel. It had a bar you could sit at or wooden tables with fresh flowers.

Each table at Down Home Kitchen had fresh flowers.

We sat in the front corner booth, which had comfy pillows and a view of downtown Montpelier. We were able to enjoy the unique décor from our table. I admired the exposed bricks, retro memorabilia, such as an old telephone, record player, and old-fashioned black and white photos. Perhaps, the owner’s great-great grand parents’?

Have mercy! Part retro/ part country kitchen interior design.

The owner showed us a pie that came fresh out of the oven, which smelled amazing. The food is southern comfort style. For example, you can get biscuits and gravy with grits. Alcohol is served too. They have a great bloody mary. I ended out getting the “make your own omlette” option. Overall, I really enjoyed the food, décor, and friendly atmosphere.

After breakfast, we tried to find a particular hiking spot, but were unsuccessful. It didn’t help that our phones had no service and we were following word of mouth directions. However, being in Vermont, you can pretty much find hiking trails down any road so we took a turn, saw a hiking sign, and decided to go for it. We hiked for a bit, but the trail was not marked well. We had already planned to go to Stowe so we bailed on the rest of the hike.

We stopped off for cider donuts at Cold Hollow Cider. The store is fun to walk around because they have free samples you can taste.

After fueling up, we drove to Bingham Falls in Stowe. I had never been to Stowe and found the area extremely beautiful. If you do not have much time, it is worth it to just to drive through Route 108/Upper Mountain Road, which winds through a mountain.

Bingham Falls was one of my favorite spots. There was a short walk to get to the waterfall, which runs along a gorge. The 30-foot waterfall plummets into a clear blue pool and continues cascading down rocks. I had no bathing suit, but how could I resist? I jumped in the ice-cold watering hole with my workout clothes on.

Bingham Falls: the water looks so amazing, yet it was very chilly! — Bingham Falls; the water looks so amazing, yet it was very chilly!

Stepping from rock to rock to cross the waterfall's pathway. — Stepping from rock to rock to cross the waterfall’s pathway.

After the invigorating swim, we drove though the mountains and ended out at Boyden Valley Winery. We had a wine tasting with chocolate and crackers. We really packed a lot into one day!

To think of it, we didn’t end there. We ventured off to my friends family’s summerhouse on Grand Isle, which was right on Lake Champlain. This time around we opted for bathing suits and went for a sunset swim in the lake.

What's a sunset without a bonfire? — What’s a sunset without a bonfire?

Somehow we mustered up the energy to go to Burlington and have dinner at The Farm House Tap & Grill, a farm to table gastro pub. The food was fantastic. There was an hour-long wait to get a table, but it was worth it. There is a large patio with a bar out back so the wait seemed to fly by.

Before the long ride home, I stopped off for lunch on Church Street at the Red Onion. They have amazing sandwiches that are made with thick slices of homemade bread.

Until next time!

Celebrities, musicians, and presidents’ vacation on an island off the coast of Massachusetts, only accessible by boat and air. Among the long list of well known vacationers are President Obama, the Clintons, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Diane Sawyer, and Ted Danson. The late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Ted Kennedy, and Walter Cronkite all had ties to the Vineyard as well.

Beautiful beaches, restaurants, and nature trails line the island. Locally made artisan goods are sold at outdoor flea markets. Farm fresh eggs and local produce can be found at road-side stands. Combined, the six towns that make up Martha’s Vineyard have a lot to offer.

293224_10100298261857732_254965233_n — Dog Boarding

Originally populated by the Wampanoag American Indian tribe, the Vineyard is now known as an affluent summer destination. Martha’s Vineyard was the name given to a small island south of the main island in 1602 by English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold. Later, the main island took the name Martha’s Vineyard. Martha is thought to have been Gosnold’s mother-in-law or his second child.

English settlers joined the Wampanoag tribe in populating the island when Thomas Mayhew purchased the island from English “owners”, along with neighboring Nantucket and the Elizabeth Islands. Mayhew honored the native’s land rights and therefore they were friendly with one another.

Martha’s Vineyard is made up of six towns; Tisbury (which includes Vineyard Haven and West Chop), West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs (incuding East Chop), Edgartown (inducing islands Chappaquidick, or “Chappy”, and Katama), Chilmark (including Menemsha), and Aquinnah (where the Wampanoag tribe is located).

Each town has a unique offering. In Oak Bluffs, where the Flying Horses Carousel is located, children can try their chance at receiving a free ride if they catch the brass ring.

Another notable feature of Oak Bluffs is the community of multicolored gingerbread cottages. The best time to enjoy the cottages is on Grand Illumination Night, when all the gingerbread houses decorate with colorful Chinese and Japanese lanterns and bands play at the Tabernacle.

Lantern in my Aunt's garden reminds me of Illumination Night. — Lantern in my Aunt’s garden, which reminds me of Illumination Night.

My favorite activity in Aquinnah is to walk along Moshup Beach and admire the dramatic red, orange, white, and beige clay cliffs. There is also a lighthouse to explore, fantastic views, and tribal stores.

In Chilmark, as you pass by mailboxes bearing names like “Chillhead,” you eventually find the cozy fishing village of Menemsha, where you can walk out on the jetty and take in a sunset. Chilmark also has Great Rock Bight, a preserve you can hike to get to a rocky beach with rock sculptures.

If you need a break from the beach, check out locally made goods at the flea market, which provide such treasures as sea glass necklaces or framed photographs of the island.

In the largest town, Edgartown, you can catch some waves at Katama/South Beach or do some shopping downtown.

Explore and you shall find... — Explore and you shall find…

Sometimes, though, it is the seclusion that makes the vineyard special. Tucked away, down a dirt road in the middle of the woods, I find my aunt and uncle’s house. Here, I can peacefully lie in a hammock, wander through their exquisite garden, or walk the back trails by a horse farm and admire a tiny pond most vacationers will never see. I can rummage through old records in their basement then dance to them in the kitchen while preparing a meal of island-grown produce.

Swaying Among the Trees — Among the Trees

On this particular morning, I woke up and decided to wander out the front door with a bowl to pick berries to add to my breakfast. As I approach the blackberry briar, I hear some rustling to my right. I look up to see a deer bounding from the blueberry patch into the forest.