If you are at all interested: the Mystery Pic from the Bar Harbor drop is the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.

Here’s a fun fact. We met up with family on our Vermont stop, one of whom, Veronica Wirth, is extended family and lives in Warren VT. She recently discovered she is an ancestor of Samuel Slocum, who at one point laid claim to Aquidneck Island, the battle site south of Providence showcased in a previous blog. Samuel is better known as the inventor of the sewing pin that had a head on it to keep it from slipping through cloth, and also the inventor of the method for inserting them into paper as a packaging method, something that has been superseded by plastic packaging. If you are a quilter, you know what I’m talking about. I’m guessing that makes Vernonica a true DAR, Daughter of the American Revolution. It’s truly a small world.

At one point we dined on the waterfront in Brattleboro at The Marina. It is a very popular seafood restaurant that has a great view over the bay at the confluence of the West and Connecticut rivers. While being seated, we were treated to a short tour of their Veteran’s Table, a single seating that honors all fallen veterans of all wars. There is a single place, set in perpetuity as if waiting for their return. A photo was recently snapped of a rainbow that fell across the table, the result of an odd reflection of the sun’s rays through a glass surface somewhere in the roof of the restaurant, and a waitress was struck by the beauty of it and shared it with us. So, we’re sharing it with you. Always Remember.

We were mystified too by the sight of a very strange building a distance away on the opposite shore.

Some group research later decoded the mystery as being a building that sits adjacent to the landing area of the Harris Hill ski jump just outside of town. The diagonal stripe of windows serves the judges who determine how far the jumper has gone.

One of the unsung heroes of the RevWar is Molly Stark. Her husband, General John Stark, headed the First New Hampshire Regiment, which he personally recruited after being moved to join the Continental Army effort. His troops, all volunteers, were inspired to the Battle of Bennington, fought on August 16, 1777, by his declaration “Now, my men, yonder are the Hessians! Tonight, the American flag flies over yonder hill or Molly Stark sleeps a widow!” While his regimental accomplishments were many, they are equally matched by those of his wife.

Elizabeth “Molly” Paige Stark was a headstrong, accomplished and independent woman, and mother to 11 children. She frequently ignored her husband’s advice and entreaties (well, with 11 kids maybe not all), walking her own path. When the General took his army westward off to war, she personally recruited additional New Hampshire militiamen to help defend her hometown. She also converted her barn into a field hospital to treat returning wounded from both sides of the conflict. The westward path her husband took with his troops is named after her, The Molly Stark Scenic Byway. There is also a state park along this byway, Vermont Route 9, named after her, and in it is a steep trail loop that winds up at a 60’ tall fire lookout tower. The trail was reminiscent of the Pole Steeple Trail from a previous blog, but we climbed it nonetheless. Like most towers, the climb up is easier than the climb down, as evidenced by this picture of 3 of the hiking crew using 3 different techniques to descend, the front-facing slow descent, the side-facing full-foot-on-the-step method, and the backward white-knuckle-grip climbdown. Disclaimer: the author never made it to the top.

The view from the top is spectacular.

Next up: The Full Eclipse Battle of Monmouth, and 𝅘𝅥𝅮 𝅘𝅥𝅮 iron and coke, chromium steel 𝅘𝅥𝅮 𝅘𝅥𝅮: Allentown PA (with a nod to Billy Joel)

Onward!

Tippy has his macho mountain man gig working.