How is it Thursday already? I swear, every time I sit down to write one of these updates, I’m blown away by how fast the weeks fly on by. I’m currently writing you from my AirBNB in Maine, state number TEN. It’s been absolutely mesmerizing so far, minus the Noreaster that blew in overnight, leaving everything rain-drenched and windblown at the moment.
(I thought I’d be prepared to drive in this weather, coming from Wisconsin and all, but let me tell ya — it is NO JOKE. I can’t even imagine how awful it would be to drive in during snow! Major props to the Mainers who deal with it every season.)
But for now, let’s flash back to sunnier times in Vermont.
I started the week in Bennington, where I promptly consumed maple-flavored EVERYTHING. As I wrote in my weekly Fast 5 email last Friday, I’m pretty sure I’m at least 30% maple right now — maple fudge, maple candy, maple crepes, maple coffee — and that is A-OK with me.
(PS if you’re not subscribed to my email list, you can do that here! I promise I won’t spam you, and I’ve been told the updates I share have been the most interesting part of the project thus far.)
My first night in Bennington, I dipped down into Massachusetts with the guy I was staying with to check out MassMOCA, the fourth-largest contemporary art museum in the country. Throughout the summer and into the start of fall, they do free music events, and we were able to catch a cool jazz show to kickoff my visit.
The next day, I explored Bennington, a small town with loads of fascinating history and an array of cute shops. I talked with some local business owners, got work done at a brewery-meets-coffee shop, and, yes, peeped at some gorgeous fall foliage. (The colors here are insane!)
That night, I went to a karaoke night where I met some of my host’s friends and saw some interesting renditions of songs that should definitely have not been karaoke songs. (Anyone else picky about karaoke?? I think it’s less about the song you like and more about reading the crowd and picking a song that’ll fit the mood.)
It was then off to Burlington, the largest city in Vermont, where I stayed with a badass woman who owns a bike shop in the area. (You’ll be hearing more of her story when the We the Voters podcast launches next month!) The first night, she invited me to a “Botanical Burlesque” campout hosted by a friend of hers, which was an experience I can’t share concisely, but one I will never forget.
(If you want more details, consider this another prompt to sign up for the twice-weekly newsletter. I’ll be sharing full thoughts in tomorrow’s email.)
The campout was held right on the lake that borders Burlington, and the location could not have been more breathtaking.
My trip to Burlington was extraordinarily productive. I conducted some fascinating interviews with people I met at the campout and throughout my stay, tried some amazing food, ate far too much Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (When in Rome, right?), and became quite smitten with the community I found and the people I met.
We even had a hot tub party one night in the garage bordering the bike shop, complete with a disco light and a DJ set curated by a seriously talented 9-year-old neighbor. (If you would’ve told me that this is how I’d use the swimsuit I packed on a whim three months ago, I never would’ve believed you!)
From Burlington, it was off to Maine — state number TEN in this adventure.
But first, an important stop at the Ben & Jerry’s factory to knock something off my bucket list and visit their flavor graveyard. (My love for ice cream truly knows no bounds.)
I chose the cutest AirBNB — a working farm in a small town called North New Portland — where I may have drank nearly a full carafe of coffee and then had the most productive day on this trip to date. (I also befriended a sweet cat named Happy, who I’m totally smitten with.)
If you haven’t already, you should click around and peep the new layout of the We the Voters site. I’ve been working on updating it to match the new project mission for a little while now, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
Today, I’m heading towards the coast for my first peek at the Atlantic Ocean on the trip! So excited to explore more of Maine and discover what this state is all about.
Until next time.
