We all need a break like this.....

Jeanette and I spent the day poking around the Green Mountains of Vermont. Even if one does not fish a venture into this beautiful area will satisfy. We love to visit a co-op store in Brattleboro first and pick up some very unique trail and snack foods. Jeanette loves this granola mix that features a touch of brown sugar and blueberries. I like a trail mix consisting of almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, raisins and cranberries with a touch of maple syrup. We have breakfast and off to hike a trail or two. The air was cool and the breeze felt fall like, but even though we still worked up a sweat.

One of the streams we spent some time on was running clear and cold. Those lovely creatures could be seen darting for cover.

A new blue line I added to my book. I have known about it for some time but never put the leg work into it. Well I did yesterday and it paid off. A report will be coming soon.

Work horses...these two flies have over the past month have taken more fish than any fly in my box.

Vermont

My first visit to the State of Vermont was back about 1972. We had taken a vacation there. I had a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle a little four year old daughter and not much money. Vermont at that time was a magnet for those who had various life styles and ideals that were a bit different than the norm at the time. Hippies and communes were more plentiful then brook trout. Now when I look back to that time it doesn't look so bad.

After visiting Vermont last week I can say it's just as beautiful as always. And Flower Power is alive and well. Coffee houses are very plentiful and hellos are said frequently.

We stopped at a diner on our climb through the Green Mountains. The diner is an old one from way back. Lots of coffee and served there over the years.

A Vermont country breakfast with coffee...5.99.. Free refills on the Java.

The Green Mountains. Lots of beauty and history. Ethan Allen, and the Green Mountain Boys called this home.

Last August tropical storm Irene came through this area and wreaked havoc not seen before. The amount of rain was so heavy and for so long. The rivers went totally wild and out of control sweeping away highways, bridges, homes and forever changing the lives of the people who live here.

These are a few photos of some of the streams in the Green Mountain National Forest. The high water marks on these waters was incredible.

The people of Vermont are strong and are helping to rebuild and return to normal. While Irene impacted all of us in New England, Vermont was probably hit the hardest.