Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Family Weekend at Middlebury College


Last weekend my husband and I visited our son at Middlebury College in Vermont. The perfect weather and peak foliage called for a hike up nearby Snake Mountain. From the summit, we had a spectacular view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, across the border in New York.


The golden trail was an easy 1,000 feet over two miles ascent. The ski team passed us, running up and down, but we easily overtook the yuppies hiking with an elderly basset hound. A garter snake slithered by on the way down.


Middlebury campus was gorgeous. This is the view from the science building, where my son spends most of his academic hours. In his free time, he plays Chopin on piano, and he's joined the bike club, the nordic club, the film club and Mchaka Mchaka, a group that runs around campus at night, chanting in Swahili. I can understand why he's enjoying freshman year.


The ivy on his dorm was burning bright red, complementing the maples.


My British husband felt at home in the Shoreham Inn, run by a Brit and his American wife. The pub style restaurant served delicious hot cooked breakfasts and locally brewed Switchback Ale with a tasty dinner. Our luxurious loft room was in a converted sheep barn, a twenty minute drive from campus. All of Middlebury and neighboring towns were booked five months in advance of family weekend.


While our son did his homework, we went to a book talk on Wonder Women: Sex, Power and the Quest for Perfection by Debora Spar, a fellow Middlebury parent. Afterwards we settled into Adirondack chairs (scattered throughout campus) to read in the sun.


Back home in Maine, the leaves in our yard aren't too shabby either.

14 comments:

Margie said...

Beautiful photos from your family weekend visit to your son.
Glad he's enjoying his freshman year!

tina said...

What a lovely visit. The scenery is amazing. You and your son look like siblings!

Elizabeth said...

Dear Sarah,
What a joyful post. The surroundings of Middlebury look blissful - not to mention the campus.
A great change from round here
Extra super photos and I especially loved the one of you reading under a tree.
As to Coney Island....it is pretty bizarre and weird- as these places tend to be.
Enjoy fall!

A Cuban In London said...

I'm really enjoying your autumn posts. I feel jealous of your walk through that beautiful forest. Maybe I'll get my troops to join me on a weekend hike somewhere near. Over here the leaves are taking their time to change. The only autumnal thing is the rains we've been having. Autumn hasn't really kicked in yet. You're bathed in colour, we're drowning in water! :-)

Greetings from London,

Stacy said...

Beautiful pictures. What a cozy college town.

Your son looks like you!

Rose said...

Beautiful scenery! I'm glad your son is enjoying college. I picked up my granddaughter for her first trip home two weeks ago and so enjoyed the two-hour drive home, catching up with her. She was so homesick at first, but then joined some clubs which has made such a difference for her. I don't think she's speaking Swahili, though:)

Autumn must be your favorite month--Maine looks so beautiful in all your photos.

walk2write said...

Autumn is definitely my favorite time of year, especially after a hot summer in Florida. I can tell that you're enjoying it too. Your son looks happy with his new digs, and you must be glad that he chose such a wonderful place to go to school.

troutbirder said...

Warm and wonderful post, Sarah. And to be young, full of life and a college freshmen once again. I can almost remember it...:)

Amanda Summer said...

What a gorgeous environment in which your son is learning. He looks very happy, as does his mom.

Donna said...

What a beautiful campus and area to go to school in. It sounds like it was a fun trip. I'm glad you're enjoying fall!

Liviania said...

That's a lovely campus!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great weekend, Sarah! The campus looks very nice in this autumnal time, all the nature inside and around it... I guess your son must enjoy it. And I see, running around the campus at night, chanting in Swahili... what an experience! :)

cynthia newberry martin said...

Love, love, love all the colors in these photos--even more than the striking gold of your more recent post. Fall is my favorite season and only makes me more intensely wish I lived in New England.

Out of Sight L said...

This is indeed amazing and almost miraculous a little something for everyone, love this, bravo