Obstacles and Advice

Finding a place to stay in VT for a month has not been so easy.  There was the lovely woman that worked at the Teddy Bear company (that apparently everyone besides me has heard of), but she decided to rent to someone else; the guy who may or may not have been on parole (thanks Burlington PD) who’s email requesting there be no drugs, alcohol or firearms (I’m a 28 year old female coming from the west coast, seriously, that won’t be a problem) tipped me off that while cheap, it may not be the best place for a single lady.  Oh yeah, and the fact that he googled me and upon finding a photo of me immediately lowered the price by $200 and offered me the room = creepy.

But I was able to find a home with some nice ladies near the bike path so I can spend my days biking and relaxing by the lake until this mysterious mountain man shows up.  (Okay, okay, I am going to be a little more proactive about finding him than just lying around a lake, but not much;)

Yesterday while enjoying a brew at my local pub I found myself sitting next to a former Vermonter (of course!) who gave me some advice for my trip.  1) Travel around New England, it’s beautiful, and if you can, make it to Canada, 2) There is a lot of old money and rednecks in Vermont, “you want the old money”  (how did he know!?!?), 3)  “The ladies there aren’t very ladylike, so you’ll be a hit” gee, thanks… 4) There is a reason they call it "the Green Mountain," and finally 5) “Don’t expect the guy to follow you back here.  Vermonters are Vermonters for life. The land is magical there.”  Well, I’m not opposed to staying and bring on the magic!