Waterfalls, Wildflowers and Way Up on the Mountain

OK, there are big mountains all around, and we crossed over the Notch several times yesterday, so today we wanted to go higher. The Stowe Ski Resort has gondolas running all the time, and the nice enclosed car doesn't bother my acrophobia a bit.

In the morning, the fog filled the valley on the other side of the mountain, and you could see the whole range of mountains if you squinted.

The Gondola took us up to 3,625 feet on Mt. Mansfield, but brave climbers could climb up to 4,395 feet. I, of course, declined that opportunity, since most of it was straight up the cliff face!

Even at this elevation, the flowers bloomed profusely, and I saw a butterfly I've never seen before, and haven't identified yet. We met a man from Oregon on the trail whose goal is to visit the tallest point in each state of the country.

The zip line had several brave/foolish people willing to take the 10,000+ foot in total length ride to the base. Not me. Zip lines are second only to skiing in my eyes as the top foolish behaviors people indulge in.

At the bottom of the mountain, is Stowe, VT, a delightful village whose city fathers insure that each building is constructed to look like all the old buildings. Down the road from downtown Stowe, is the Moss Glen Waterfall, and it is absolutely amazing! First are the fields of stunning wildflowers growing in a bog along the trail.

The stream is clear and rock filled....

Joe Pye Weed have a wonderful fragrance, despite their odd sounding name.

The trail started to rise, and in a few minutes we saw the waterfall, descending 4 or 5 different levels, and the rounded gorge walls shaped by years of flowing water.

Can't resist making a movie of waterfalls!

Truthfully though, the most moooving experience of the trip so far was our tour of the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory. What a sweet/cold place! We got samples, but then wanted more from the Scoop Shop and had real trouble deciding which flavor to get. My new mantra is "Peace, Love and Ice Cream."