2024 Summer Trip - Vermont and the Couture's Maple Shop - 2024/08/02

Today is another travel day and this time we're going some place really special! Way back in our first year of RVing in New Hampshire, we met Jake and Pauline Couture. I was still new to driving the RV and the campsite we were visiting was very wooded. I was having a hard time getting the RV backed into the campsite and Jake offered to help out. I was very thankful and baked them a fresh loaf of bread to say thank you. They then invited us to come visit them at their maple farm and dairy in Northern Vermont. It's one of our favorite memories of RVing.

Well, wouldn't you know it, we're traveling in the North East and we saw that they are part of the Harvest Host program, where RVers can come park on their property. Let's go visit the Coutures! 

Leaving another wooded site at Lake George, but this one wasn't too bad. 

The Couture farm is at the very north part of Vermont, just 10 miles or so from the Canadian border. 

Crossing over the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Richelieu River which is the dividing line between New York and Vermont. Not a very interesting sign for Vermont though. 

There we go. That's a better one. 

And here we are! At the Couture's Farm! Just a little up the road is their Sugar House where they boil the maple sap to make maple syrup and maple sugar. They have hookups over there as well, but it's a little bit tighter and we've got a long rig, so, we get to park right behind the house! 

The cows and dairy aren't here at the moment, but that's okay. 

And here's Mrs. Pauline! So good to see you again! It's been just about 3 years now since we've seen you! 

While Theresa and I went through the setup of the RV, getting things unpacked, Mrs. Pauline took the kids over to their blueberry bushes to pick a few. Yum! 

Well, the last time we were together, I made them fresh bread. Today though everyone gets their own pizza! I've become quite fond of my 800F pizza oven. 

It was great to sit around their table and catch up on all our different adventures and what all was going on with them. 

Afterwards, we retired to the back yard where Jake got a fire going and Pauline brought out fixins for smores. 

Now you're speaking Ian's language. 

Alli putting together a s'more for Mr. Jake. Pauline likes to use chocolate frosting instead of chocolate bars because it melts a whole lot easier. 

We hung out in the back until dusk approached, waving at the neighbors who drove by, hearing who they were and what they did. It's nice to have a close community like that. 

The next day, everyone had plans in different places. We're going to head about an hour south to what's known as Enticement Alley to get some treats! 

But before we go, let's get a few maple snacks for the drive down. 

Maple Sugar Candies and Maple Lollipops. I think we're set. 

Let's go Beast! 

I'll have a whole separate post on Enticement Alley, but we got to go to places like the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory. 

And the Cabot Cheese shop. 

But we didn't stay too long because Mrs. Pauline is making dinner for everyone tonight, and Mr. Jake is grilling hamburgers. 

There's Beauty, right where we left her. 

The kids liked playing on the swings that their grandchildren play on when they come to visit. 

For dessert, Theresa and I brought out the Ninja Creami and spun up a few containers of Dole Whip. It's delicious! 

Gotta look cool while you're roasting marshmallows. Or maybe it's for the smoke coming from the fire. 

Tomorrow morning we're headed to our next stop, so we better make sure we get all our maple treats from their store before we go. 

So many tasty things. Last time we bought a bunch and did a Maple Product taste test. 

They told us how during the Eclipse earlier this year, right after the eclipse passed, they were overwhelmed, and were running low on nearly everything! We were seriously considering coming up to see them during that time, but picked Maine instead because of the promise of fewer clouds. 

We love their maple syrup. The trees produce different flavored syrup depending on where they are in the season. Lighter flavored syrup in the beginning of the season, and deeper flavors at the end. We did a taste test to figure out our favorite too. 

Is that enough? Hmm, we'll have to see. 

The next morning, we were up way earlier than usual. Why? Because Pauline promised us a tasty maple themed breakfast. Along with the maple shop, they also operate a Bed and Breakfast, and that breakfast has a heavy emphasis on using maple products. How could we turn down a breakfast like that? 

There's French Toast, with either maple syrup, or the even better maple cream. 

And why not sweeten your coffee a little bit with maple syrup instead of plain sugar. 

For entertainment, we watched the hummingbirds go back and forth to the feeder. 

And you know, I just don't think we have enough maple treats. We ducked back into their shop to get a few more of those delicious maple sugar candies that we love so much. Jake had just finished up a batch and they were drying. They were especially soft and creamy and so very good. 

Maple farming definitely isn't an easy job. Even though you're only boiling sap for 6 weeks out of the year, the rest of the year you are trying to get ready for it. With 8000 trees and miles and miles of plastic tubing, then tree tapping, you're always busy. Plus the squirrels, deer, and other critters like to nibble the tubing that carries the maple sap to the sugar shack, so you have to go out repairing things too. But we do love the end result so much! 

Thank you Pauline and Jake for allowing us to come see you again, and for all the hospitality! Let's try to make it sooner than 3 years before we visit again. 

There's just one more thing we have to do before we go!

We're still keeping track of all the different states we've visited in the RV. To "earn" our sticker, we have to spend a night in the RV in that state. Last time we were in this area, we stayed in New Hampshire, but didn't get the RV over to Vermont. That's all changed now though, since we got to stay in Vermont at a maple farm! And look what the sticker representing Vermont has on it! Maple Syrup! 

Put that sticker on Alli! 

We're getting really close to filling it now! 

Just a few more states to go! 

Goodbye Coutures! Thanks again!