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A beautiful stillness outside – not a whisper of wind. Narrow ribbons of pink and gray-blue cloud cover this morning, on the heels of a string of pearly blue sky days. Last week, a drive west on Route 9 to Bennington, and a surprise blizzard along the high elevation stretch past Wilmington. On the return trip east, the skies and roads were clear and a small window of time allowed for a brief pit-stop in Woodford, a small town in Bennington County with a population of just over 400. Bisected by the Molly Stark Byway and many miles of snow-mobile trails, Woodford sits at the highest elevation (2,215 feet) of any village in Vermont. A forested, mostly mountainous landscape of spruce, fir, and birch, the area is a mecca for outdoors activity. A state park provides hiking, fishing and woodsy camping along the shores of clean reservoir waters. A former downhill ski area now offers cross-country trails and a 14,000 acre section of the Green Mountain National Forest offers vast stretches of serene, natural beauty. The flash snow storm, a reminder of winter weather and skiing soon to come.
TRAVELING NEAR & FAR 
A question comes to mind: What town have you visited that truly stands out for you, here in Vermont, and why?
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Hi 158main. Thanks for your good question! So far, I have only written about 19 out of 251 towns as part of my 251 club project – so way too early to tell! 🙂 Honestly, I’d be hard pressed to choose even a favorite area of Vermont – there is so much to love. I guess for me it is important to look for the beauty in every town, even if what makes the town unique may not be apparent at first glance. And of course, my brief, broad-brush impressions cannot possibly begin to capture the true character of a town – but it is a step towards knowing a wee bit more. Have you had a chance to travel throughout VT?
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Brownington stands out, especially if you like history. The Old Stone House Museum makes a wonderful statement about the often little-known, but very significant history of our state. The buildings that make up this facility were built around 1835 or 36 by the first African-American college graduate, Rev. Alexander Twilight. He was also the first African-American state legislator. The stonework itself will make you stop and ponder. Massive, and all hand cut. History that surprises, like this, as opposed to sitting obviously in the center of town, makes quite an impression. If ever you visit this place and write about it, make sure you let the proprietors know. They will love your words.
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Thanks for the tip! Paused there briefly one early summer morning a few years ago. Buildings were closed, but had a nice breakfast picnic and walk around the grounds – and a walk up to the tower for amazing views. Impressive stonework! I look forward to a return visit.
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Ha! Yes. The tower. We had lunch there one mid-summer day. Breathtaking.
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