I have the privilege of going to Shelburne every year.  Though I must admit it is hard to leave where I live, especially in the summer, even for this incredible place.  There is a great creative vibe and people are just well, nice in both places.  I live in a beach town and Shelburne, Vermont is a mountain and lake place.

This time I stayed at the Inn at Shelburne Farms which is a little further down the path.  It wasn’t far from my destination the next day but it was a longer ride from the airport.  The previous year, I  stayed at a Quality Inn,  which is super convenient but late at night I  wasn’t feeling well.  I had ordered my Indian food spicy, which was the only open restaurant, and well it was more than I could handle. I wanted to see if the front desk  had anything that I could take for it.  But it was around 3am  and I would have to walk through a parking lot to get the main desk.  There were people out there and I didn’t know who they were so I just toughed it out.   Later someone told me that the area is not safe.  So this time,  I decided to stay somewhere where I would feel safer.

The Inn is incredible but it’s not meant for a quick stay.  From the main entrance to the farm it is another two miles. I got to watch their sheep grazing as I watched the meter on the taxi that I took there keep going up and up.  I thought Ubers were surcharging so I jumped into one of the airport taxis but really it was because of the distance. And arriving at the destination, I see this beautiful house and  immediately two women come out to greet me. The younger one takes my bag beating the surprised taxi driver and then the older one greets me and answers  my questions.

I was concerned about getting a taxi here the next morning.  I was calling places to reserve but I got strange answers like they only go long distances or to the airport so I wanted to make sure I could get at least an Uber up here since I was literally in the middle of nowhere and I didn’t come all this way to miss my appointment.  She told me it was best to reserve the Uber in advance.

The younger girl carried my suitcase and then took me to my room where cheddar cheese and jam from the farm was waiting for me with crackers.  They also have a kind of happy hour in the afternoons.  More cheese, crackers, crudite, fruit and pastries with the choice of hot or iced tea.  Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.

I had also made a dinner reservation.  I was immediately upset that my husband wasn’t with me when I saw the view. I didn’t realize I could see Lake Champlain!   I hate experiencing beautiful places and things without him.  I ordered the beef for dinner with the former vegetarian in me feeling guilty.  On one hand, it’s great to get meat from a real natural farm but at the same time I especially don’t want to see them around when they are living.  Imagine living in this beautiful place and thinking you are safe and then well you know what happens.   I know I would be vegetarian again if I lived on a farm.  I could never look an animal in the eye and then eat them.  But as I have gotten older with gluten sensitivities and then soy all the time not being a great thing – I am not sure how I would do it.  Perhaps someday I will try.  But then I think of my husband who is allergic to the world.

The outside and inside is very historic looking with the latter reminding me of the inside of the hotel in the movie, The Shining.

I talked to my young waiter who had stayed on in Vermont past college envious of the freedom youth can bring. And like an old lady, giving him some advice.

Enjoy your freedom before you have responsibilities and parrots!

No, I didn’t say the last part.  But I do take my pet responsibilities seriously.  Anyways he seemed to be already enjoying his adventures.

I went for a walk after dinner and was in awe.  I could walk around here forever. There was a knock on the door.  It was for the evening turndown, which I didn’t need, but then they delivered some candies and a poem.  Let me repeat that last part – they delivered a poem! I cancelled my breakfast reservation because I wanted to get ready and leave early just in case.  But this place was so great that they have coffee and homemade muffins for you anyway.

I got to my destination way early so I went to the Dutch Mill diner.   It was a typical diner and way too greasy for me so I should have skipped that one. When my husband came with me previously, we went to the Athens diner in Colchester and I completely loved it.  They even have some kind of amazing gluten free toast that comes from a local bakery and they make these amazing breakfast skillets.  But without a car it is just too far to go.

Some things to do here – Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne Country Store, Shelburne Museum, Mount Philo (south of Shelburne)  and one of my favorite restaurants in nearby Ferrisburgh, Starry Night.

And the all time favorite and deciding factor is The Country Christmas Loft.  I mean how can you not love a town that has a Christmas store all the time?

Something to look forward to next year…