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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Goodrich's Maple Farm near Cabot, Vermont

We got up early yesterday morning, and drove right away to Cabot, Vermont. We figured there might be traffic because of the Cabot Dairy and so we wanted to arrive early. We had never been there and didn't know what to expect.

The dairy itself doesn't have great parking for an RV. They do have a couple of spots across the road, but instead we found a convenient spot beside a church in town and took the little car over to the dairy.


They wanted $2 each for the tour, which is reasonable I suppose. You do get pretty much all you can eat of tasting different cheeses, although I don't think we ate $2 worth. The tour itself isn't great. You don't get a very good view of the production process, and the 10 minute video is about how the farmers got together to form the co-op in the first place, not really about the cheese making process. The question and answer session was informative though, our tour guide was really knowledgeable.

Of course they have a store there. You would think that buying direct from the factory would offer some bargains. Nope. The block of cheese we buy is the Cabot "Extra Sharp" cheddar. We normally buy it for between $6.79 and $8.98 depending on which state we happen to be in. (Not available in Canada!) At the factory store, it was "on sale" this week for $8.99, regular price $10.99. So needless to say, we didn't buy any. I think they price things like that to take advantage of the tourists in their shop, because I can't think of any other logical reason.

After the tour, we headed back to Sherman and had some lunch. Then, we kind of went in a round about way to a Maple Syrup farm called Goodrich's Maple Farm. We had checked several farms in the area for the best price because we wanted to stock up. A gallon of the stuff ranged from $49.99 to $64.99 and Goodrich's had the $49.99 price.

They let us taste test it first. We like the full bodied maple flavour of the dark "Grade B" stuff, and sure enough it was great. We picked up a gallon and chatted with Jean and her brother for a while. This is a family business that has been in the family for seven generations! They produce approximately 16,000 gallons of maple syrup per season. We asked if we could stay overnight in their parking lot, and they said "sure!"

Jean suggested we take a drive a few miles south in the little car to the Groton State Forest. She said there's a nice hike up Owls Head Trail to a beautiful viewpoint. So we drove over there. It's a really pretty forest and they have three different campgrounds. No serviced hookups, and they want $18.95 for non VT residents. Too bad we're already over budget for campground fees this month.

There is supposed to be a $3 per person day use fee. The ranger was a super nice guy and we explained that all we wanted to do was hike up the trail and it was already after 4:00pm. He let us in for free and said to enjoy the park!

The paperwork said that the trail was 1.5 miles (2.5 kms) but it didn't say if that was one way or return. We decided to take Whiskey with us, and she did really well. It did turn out to be 1.5 miles each way, so Whiskey did a 3 mile (5 km) hike with us! Not bad for a 15 year old pup.

Sure enough, there was a beautiful view at the top.

The hike took us two hours, and was a nice enough distance to get the muscles working again after our big hike last Sunday. My calves are still a little sore, but my knees seem to be fine. Ruth says she is completely recovered and not sore at all.

Slept fine at the Maple Syrup place and are now off to explore the city of Montpelier, Vermont.

Our roundabout drive from Saint Johnsbury to the Cabot Dairy to the Goodrich's Maple Farm
About 30 miles (50 kms) total.



11 comments:

  1. A gallon of maple syrup? We wouldn't use that much in five years. Do you cook with it? Glad you got to take your hike and I bet Whiskey had a great time with you.

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  2. Love Vermont, there is some really beautiful scenery there!

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  3. A gallon would last us a while unless when the grandkid's are here then they eat a lot of pancakes and waffles.Looks like a good hike for you all. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  4. I see alot of pancakes in your future!!!..oh and french toast too and waffles!!

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  5. Great picture and framing, even though it was overcast. You folks be very careful of ticks as there is a lot of Lyme disease in the NE US. Last year I got tick bit in central PA and 2 weeks later in Niagara Falls, NY I had Lyme symptoms. After a trip to the clinic, a months regimen of doxycycline (with no adult beverages), and a lighter wallet, the disease was nipped in the bud. On the cheese prices, I suspect that they are not allowed or don't want to undercut their retailers. I know most breweries in the US have the same policy.

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  6. I love Vermont and love Cabot Cheese... you could stay forever eating the samples...lol. Glad you having fun!!!
    Travel safe
    Donna

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  7. Love maple syrup,have to admit one gallon would last us perhaps to long and probably rot.great view (foto).

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  8. Looks like a lovely place. Paul and I don't think we have had a gallon of syrup together our entire life. I do like it in my coffee though. Good job!

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  9. Wow, a gallon sounds like a lot, but making lots of pancakes, waffles, french toast should make it disappear pretty quickly.

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  10. We have no problem getting through a gallon over a year. Usually we like to buy it in 540ml (a bit more than 1 pint) cans. Doing that we don't have to worry about the syrup getting mold on it after time and we will sometimes give a can away to people who have helped us out, like letting us stay in their driveway for a couple of days as well as our friends in Mexico. We couldn't do that this time as the only way we could buy it that was cost effective was in the gallon jug. When we get to my Dad's place we will just bring it to boiling point and then pour it off into some individual containers so that it will keep for a long time without any problems. We do love it on pancakes, it is also really good as a syrup over good vanilla ice cream...yummy! I think maybe we will have some pancakes for lunch today.

    catman...That evening after our hike we found 2 ticks on Whiskey, none on ourselves. We use Frontline on Whiskey so we know that she would have been fine and that the ticks would have fallen off but we don't like taking any chances. We also agree with you about their pricing at the gift shop. Our guide did tell us that they sell at regular retail price and we are sure that it is to not undercut the local shops in the area. Still we always thought that factory pricing should give you a deal, oh well.

    Kevin, Ruth and Whiskey

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  11. This is Jean! I'm so happy to have just found this. It does my heart good to know that you found your stay enjoyable, come back and see us any time! If you need any more syrup, don't hesitate to give us a call~ 1-800-639-1854
    Have a blessed day!

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