blake lively image: A LITTLE VERMONT LOVE!

A few weeks ago my husband and I spent a couple of leisurely days in Vermont. It was the first visit for both of us and now we anxiously await our next visit.

We stayed at one of the most romantic inns in Vermont – The Rabbit Hill Inn. The inn is located in Lower Waterford and the dining room has received the AAA four diamond award. And it is very well deserved.
A fall view of Rabbit Hill Inn, a Vermont bed and breakfast

A fall view of Rabbit Hill Inn, a Vermont bed and breakfast

The Inn’s history is an interesting tale that goes back to 1795 when Mr. Samuel Hodby who realized that the area of Lower Waterford was the mid-way point on a major trade route for weary travelers between the north of Montreal, Canada and busy harbours of Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. So he built and opened the Samuel Hodby Tavern.
Noticing all the activity in the area, Jonathan Cummings built a home and workshop next to the Inn in 1825. Then, in the early 1830’s Mr. Fred Cross and Mr. Hale bought the three buildings and joined them as one large inn.
The current innkeepers, Leslie and Brian, make you feel so comfortable and go the extra mile to ensure that every guest feels special. We arrived in the late afternoon just in time for afternoon tea which included fresh tea, lemonade and pastries. YUMMM!!!
We stayed in the luxurious Canopy Room with a gas fireplace and a semi-private second floor porch to enjoy. Here’s a couple of pictures of our room.

Isn’t it quaint?
Breakfast is included – a fantastic spread of yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal, homemade muffins, coffee cake and the homemade zucchini bread TO DIE FOR! And that’s not it – a choice of two hot specials as well – didn’t need lunch after those breakfasts.
Then you can check out the cute little cupboard where they have directions to all the local restaurants and activities as well as driving trails depending on how you want to spend the day.
Supper was wonderful and lived up to it’s four diamond rating. After dinner, you can relax quietly on one of the porches or join some of the other guests in the lounge where they have the challenging beautiful Stave puzzles (there’s no image to follow on the box just a name – to make it more interesting), backgammon, other games or just enjoy a drink at the bar.

This is the Stave puzzle I completed. Every puzzle is one of a kind and individually cut from wood. I won’t tell you the name though – just in case you go this picture won’t give it away.
We picked one of the driving trails and found some very interesting places. Dog Mountain was one that we won’t soon forget. The late Stephen Huneck was a sculptor, artist and author who devoted his life and his land to animals, especially dogs. There is Dog Chapel which is filled with memorials to the pets that we’ve loved and lost and a store where you can pick up originals, prints, souvenirs and one of a kind sculptures that Stephen crafted.

We also visited with the Bird Man who crafts the cutest little bird sculptures out of green spruce wood. Here’s one of his creations.

Each bird is crafted from one piece of wood and the tail feathers are spread out like a deck of cards.
We also made it to the Cabot Creamery – such tasty cheese and to Ben and Jerry’s, of course. Along with visits to a couple of antiques stores, a jewellery store, a candy store, a maple store and a cool salvage store - we were completely shopped out. Well I could have lasted longer but dear hubby was definitely DONE…..
We had a great visit and here’s some of Vermont’s beautiful scenery to leave you with.