Posted: 5/5/2009 10:10:07 AM EDT
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* disclaimer - I imagine Photobucket will shut me down again, as I've probably exceeded the bandwidth for a free account again. I don't have the money or enough interest to have an upgraded account. But I've been doing a lot of picture threads/ uploading, so if the images go down, I'll bump the thread in a month when my bandwidth allowment resets. If you want to see some of the other photo threads I've done, simply search by topic author, I'd be flattered, it takes a lot more time than I care to admit to make a post like this.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- So, it took a ride to the great State of Vermont last week, with a couple of distinct destinations in mind. Usually I try to ride the entire length of the T100, an awesome State road that basically runs North/ South through the heart of the Green Mountains, but I had some other ideas for this ride. More or less, took Rte 2 to Barre and Rte 302 home, in a nutshell 
Bear with me if my photos don't work at first, I'm still getting accustomed to flickr. First, had to stop and take a gander at Mt. Washington. Mt. Washington info, good stuff 
My pictures of the Presidential Range didn't come out 
From Rumford, Maine and through New Hampshire and into Vermont, we passed a couple of Veterans Memorials that I wanted to check out. Here are some images from St Johnsbury, VT. 
I got the images of the which cannon is which mixed up, sorry, so here they are al lumped together. 
Next stop was at the Cabot Cheese Factory in Cabot, VT. Hey, when in Rome, right? Cabot Cheese, Cabot, VT
I took the tour and pigged out on the samples, they had cheddars, garlic, jabanero, jalapeno, horseradish, chili-lime, you name it, and I endulged in typical Arfcom fashion. I had a lot of questions for the lady running the tour, but I don't think they were the same questions she would answer daily. I was most interested by how many people were employed there (300-400 IIRC), union or non-union, (they're non-union  ), etc. They're always hiring. From what I gathered, I would say it looks like an excellent company to work for.
A couple pics from the tour. 
Alright, now my main destination for this ride was Barre, Vermont, to see Hope Cemetery and Elmwood Cemetery. Barre, Vermont is a tremendously interesting little city. I believe it's known as the granite capital of the world. Barre, Vermont info. I'm going to put this as simply as I can, and I'd prefer to be corrected if I'm wrong, but my basic understanding is that, due to the superior granite, when European immigrants were pouring into this country, many, master Italian stonecutters and sculptors came straight to Barre. Read up on their anarchist, socialist... ideas... wacky stuff, but anyways... I know it sounds like I'm some kind of a weirdo, riding several hundred miles to see a graveyard, but I'm always respectful of the deceased. Walking and looking around these cemeteries is actually strongly encouraged near as I can tell. Most anyone who knew they were going to be buried here, knew their stone was to be looked at. You'll see what I mean. You'll also notice that some of these are very modern, some very old, and impressive in their age. I'd also like to add that images don't show scale, some of these stones are far, far bigger than they appear. Allow me to provide you with a couple of links about Hope Cemetery and Elmwood Cemetery, very interesting stuff. http://www.central-vt.com/web/hope/ http://www.vermonter.com/hopecemetery.asp http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10090 I can't even fathom the amount of time, skill, and effort that went into some of the older monuments, and it's clearly a tradition that lives today. 
These chain links are incredible- 
Hands-down, these next two monuments were my favorites, probably followed by the couple in bed, which will appear further down the page. 
a cigarette- smoking soldiers hallucination of his wife/ girlfriend? These stones all have a story behind them, more than meets the eye.. 
There are a number of tree stumps, I really liked these. I think there's a couple more further down the page, from the other cemetery. 
The aforemention "couple in bed". One would imagine these two being truly in love with each other, for life. Pretty stirring. 
Something else I'd like to add, beyond the political party madness I mentioned above, I noticed there was a tremendous number of Veterans here, from about every conflict you know of. 
Pointing up, to God or Heaven, I really like this one. 
Believe me, no photo can truly capture the expression on this face like the sculptor has. Absolutely magnificent. 
Countless hours must have been poured into the base alone of this one. The sculpt of it is absolutely mastered to be aesthetic to they eyes. 
Interestingly enough, even as impressive as these monuments are, my own wishes remain unchanged. When I pass, I'd like one cheap pine box and a very simple marker. It's just my bones in there returning to dust, my soul will be long gone.  To each his own, whatever floats your boat, though.
––- Also, in downtown? Barre, here is a Monument to the Italian-Americans who did so much for this city. 
And this is the Whispering Statue. It works. Kind of spooky, very cool. The official name of the statue is "Youth Triumphant", but it is also known as "The Whispering Statue". Located in the town center, it is a war memorial from the 1920's and is surrounded by a semi-circular granite bench. If a person sits on the opposite side of the bench from you so that the statue blocks your view of each other, accoustics will "bounce" his/her voice so it sounds like s/he is sitting next to you. Even in downtown, at rush hour, cars/ traffic everywhere, clear as a bell. 
Beyond all this, was the Rock of Ages granite quarry. My understanding is that it's the largest granite quarry in the frikkin' world.  Rock of Ages quarry link
I checked out the Visitors Center, and took a quick self-guided tour around a catwalk inside the actual manufacturing building (huge). Also, looked like an awesome employer, I suspect these guys are Union labor, but I don't know, maybe an arfcommer from the area can let us know. At any rate, the guys I watched working, were clearly incredibly skilled at their trade, and it was honestly fascinating to watch them work. 
Unfortunately for me, the tours where they will actually take you down into the quarry don't start for a few more weeks, and I was disappointed, though it gives me a greast excuse to go back soon.
At any rate, I did manage to locate a place across town where I could walk up a trail and get a peek at at least a little part of the quarry, though I really want to see it in all it's glory. 
And a little view of the area from that hill. 
Random covered bridge in New Hampshire, on the way home. 
A couple of snapshots from Rte 302, through the White Mountains in New Hampshire on the way home. This is Silver Cascade, and "the Flume" 
A couple quick shots of the White Mountains 
I hope this post doesn't break the interwebz, it is a little lengthy... You might check out teh google "white mountains" or "green mountains vermont" to see why they are such great destinations for mountain climbing, hiking, motorcycling, you name it... As always, thanks for tagging along.
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Quoted:
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u170/savage_winchester/barre%20vermont/barrevermontapril09028.jpg These people aren't dead yet? They don't have the date-date.... |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u170/savage_winchester/barre%20vermont/barrevermontapril09028.jpg These people aren't dead yet? They don't have the date-date.... perhaps they're zombies |
 SW great post!! Thanks for the link, sorry took so long to get my ass over here. 
Those graveyard pics are incredible! Great job showing off New England.
I'm going to have to take a wander around our more humble local cemeteries. Out of nosy curiosity, do you carry on your trips? OC, CC?
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Quoted:
SW great post!! Thanks for the link, sorry took so long to get my ass over here.
Those graveyard pics are incredible! Great job showing off New England.
I'm going to have to take a wander around our more humble local cemeteries. Out of nosy curiosity, do you carry on your trips? OC, CC?
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