Weekend In Vermont

This weekend we drove up to Vermont to join the throngs of leaf peepers…TBG is a rabid photographer, and this was a by week for ND…and I scored a good last-minute deal at the Equinox Resort in Manchester…loved the cuddly Frette terry robes.

We spent most of the weekend parked on the side of picturesque country roads, each setting looking like a calendar photo or postcard, while TBG shifted between his 3 cameras and happily found each perfect photo op…tumbling down barns, covered bridges, pumpkin fields, fabulous fall folliage.

my fave pic...but not TBG's

We stopped at pretty much any place with the word sugar: sugar house, sugar shak, sugar n spice. We bought maple syrup, fresh hot sugared cider donuts, hot spiced cider, spiced cookies, pumpkins, gourds, mums, indian corn and lots of Christmas gifts…sorry, can’t reveal any secrets yet!

We did not stop at the dozens of outlet stores or antiques shops lining route 7a in Manchester and heading up route 100 to Killington…except one. For TBG. We stopped at his country gentleman fashion mecca: Orvis.

We stopped at the Orvis flagship store. We shopped the Orvis outlet store. We scoured the Orvis tent sale. If you’re not familiar with Orvis, let me explain TBG is very familiar with the stores on 5th Ave in NYC and Michigan Ave in Chicago: this should give you a clue that this store is aspirational. For the guy who aspires to the gracious country lifestyle…and is willing to pay for it. btw… they do have ladies and home and doggie fashions also, not my style; I curled up on the huge leather couch by a crackling fire and checked my emails and twitter and facebook while TBG filled his shopping sac. If you like to browse, fly fishing rods, hunting rifles and knives, canoes and paddles…and all the clothes and accessories to go with them. For a price.

Orvis rhinohide canvas khakis

TBG’s shopping recommendation:
I’m told they’re very comfy, very rugged, and improve with age. They have faux-leather trim, are pre-washed, and come in neutral colors like cement and olive. And are on sale now for $59.

Who knew?