The Moonset this morning .

The full moon in March is the first full moon of Spring. It is also called the "worm moon" as the warmer days of spring bring thawing of the ground and the birds begin their activity of searching for worms. I am not sure if that is the case here in our area... too much snow still. If I was a worm, I would not want to come out yet. Night time temperatures are still hovering around 10-15 degrees. This first full moon after the vernal equinox is what determines the date of Easter. Seems to be an early Easter this year--- Easter egg hunts in the snow !!

March did not come in like a lion this year-- but it is leaving us with brutal winds and cold. They do say "as the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen". Yesterday, we did manage a wonderful sunny ride--- seems lately I have been memorializing our rides with overcast days. I took lots of photo's this time because there was all sun and clear blue skies. Outfitted in many layers-- we headed out as usual-- toward the hole in the wall, past the Apple Tree Farm with a view of Mount Ascutney and down to the four corners.. up a very muddy Trebo Road which in my lifetime was not a through road with only 4 or so houses on it. It can still be a challenge in mud season.

Pretty icicles along the way.








The horses were just as excited as we were to go out on their weekend scenic tour. We trotted side by side for a few miles. Past the house built by Pearl S. Buck, Pulitzer prize winner for her book-- The Good Earth.

The present owner breeds Morgans here.













When we got to the end of Trebo Road, we turned onto Route 103 which is the main highway headed toward the ski areas. We had lots of traffic slow down to take our photo's.

This round brick silo has some history and is very unique.

Lots of sights along the highway - This BIG house is called the Wright Farm. I always thought it was probably an old Inn because of the shape and size-- however, it's funny the discoveries you can make when on horseback instead of driving a car. You see more-- it's apparently the first court house and was built in 1766.

We are just entering what is called the "Stone Village" of Chester, Vermont. It was fun trotting down the sidewalk.

The Stone Village is a cluster of 30 dwellings which line either side of the street all erected by 2 brothers from 1834- 1850's all built from local granite. The quarry is located up on Trebo Road. We actually got off the road and looked in the woods for it, but never found it-- maybe we'll go back in the summer.

This is one building which is not constructed of granite-- another old Inn-- which has a floating ballroom upstairs ! It's empty and for sale for anyone wanting a hefty fixer-upper project ! Look at the beautiful front door.

Here's the old North Street School,

still with the bell on top. Don't you love the granite posts along the roadside ? Some of them still have the hitchrings on them for people to tie their horses when they came to town.

Photo of the stone church and another very pretty house along the way.

After passing through the Stone Village, we head past the Gristmill which is now home to a Wellness Center. The stonework here on the bank of the Williams River is gorgeous.

Cross over again onto the sidewalk and head into what is called Chester Depot.

It's called the depot-- because guess what ?? That's where the train station is-- I made Zoe pose by the station... even though she didn't want to--- we Vermonters are sensitive about looking like tourists.

The brown building in the back is where I buy my grain and other supplies. It has been in the Erskine family a long time. They have pretty much anything you could want or need and service with a smile :)

We turned back for home, just missing the train by seconds.

Another super ride... and so much fun to ride with sunshine-- the cold did not matter. We got some great trotting in and a couple of canters for a mile or more here and there. Of course, during the ride we spent some time discussing our next journey...can't wait !

~Enjoy your day and Happy Easter ~