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After checking into our resort there was still daylight left to burn,,,, so we jumped in the car for a scenic drive.
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Being Vermont, you can’t go far without seeing a covered bridge and this one was right down the road.
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The Grist Mill Bridge, built in 1872.
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And to the right of the bridge?
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Grist Mill Park.
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If you’re wondering where the grist mill is? Join the club, so were we.
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And as the sun was setting, we drove.
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No particular destination in mind, just enjoying the scenery and the oh so very green grass.
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Untouched photo. The fields really were that green. A pleasant respite from the awful brown summer we had in Maine.
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Gentle rain started to fall as it got dark and we turned back toward the resort. It’s a good thing the husband was driving because on one of the twisty turny mountain roads, on a corner, in the dark, in the rain… it happened. A full grown deer darted out right in front of us. Thankfully the husband’s reflexes were good, and thankfully no one was coming in the opposite direction. He swerved just enough so we didn’t have a deer come through the windshield, but it hit my car’s right front bumper with an awful thwack. We stopped. The deer ran off and seemed to be okay. My car? Not so much.
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The husband managed to push the panel back in place, but it was cracked in numerous places and the fog light housing was smashed.
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It could have been soooo much worse. But good grief, it was a helluva way to start a vacation.
🥴
River's world..... 
That’s a mostly good day. Sorry about your car. Fortunately, the new plastic cars have easily replaceable body panels, so it should be an easy fix. Your photos are beautiful, I’m sure they do justice to the place where they were taken. Are there more on the way?
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That’s such a silly question, but you’re new to my vacation posts so I’ll just answer yes… and smile.
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I ask questions like that one sometimes.
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When we were actively traveling… ya know, before the global plague… I was known for taking a month worth of posts to cover a week long trip. I believe in sharing every minute detail until my readers scream Uncle.
Enjoy!
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Oh, and it takes a good man to fix your car with his bare hands. One of the few, one of the proud.
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He’s a handy guy to have around.
😉
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Glad you guys are okay.
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I’m just glad he was driving. Otherwise I’d be wearing an antler necklace.
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I’m sure someone would pay good money for one of those.
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Bummer about the bumper. Hope the deer was not badly injured.
Gorgeous photos of Vermont ~ covered bridge, red barn, horses, green mountains AND grass.
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Thankfully the deer bounced right off and ran away. There wasn’t even blood on the car…
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Good reflexes… something to be thankful for.
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So glad the hubs has reflexes of a Marine….because he’s a Marine, lol. As for your car, so sorry about that but you both are okay and that’s the most important part. I’m sure the deer thanks you as well. It’s such a beautiful place that you got to visit, I’m so jealous.
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It was a drive by deer-ing. The jerk didn’t even stop to exchange information.
😉
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Of course not…lol
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Beautiful, serene photos. One November while driving home – all of two miles from our residence – a deer stepped out in front of our car while we were going about 20 mph (busy intersection). It came down a hill (after dark) you would never have thought a deer would be traveling. Anyway, no time to brake and we made contact. The deer ran off without leaving its insurance information, but we were grateful the deer looked nothing but scared. Hope the car heals soon.
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I have an appointment at the end of the month to make her whole again.
😉
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👍🚘
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No way I am crossing abridge that is being held up by termites holding hands.
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Where’s your sense of adventure? New Englanders are a hardier lot.
😉
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Covered bridges are my favorite! I also enjoyed the video’s sound of the river.
Is Ethel all right? (I thought that was the name of your car; please correct me if I’m wrong) I’m just glad you’re both okay.
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Yes, Ethel was drivable. Slightly dented and damaged but she’ll be put right with a new bumper and fig light on the 25th.
👍
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Yay!
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As it happens, I’ve been to the Grist Mill Covered Bridge on one of several New England trips decades ago (it’s also known by several other names, as shown in the link below). I was an avid ‘covered bridger’ in my younger days and have seen over 30 Vermont covered bridges (not to mention a half dozen in Maine). You can’t beat New England for covered bridging!
https://happyvermont.com/2015/08/27/grist-mill-covered-bridge-in-vermont/
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That’s interesting. I’ve been to the Shelburne museum (fabulous!) and walked through that covered bridge but never realized it had been moved from Cambridge.
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Damn. We have experience in totaling a car many hours from home (hitting a deer, of course) and it’s SO much more inconvenient when it’s far from home, so I’m glad it wasn’t something that scuppered your trip and that you could keep driving.
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After knowing the deer was unhurt, that was my first thought. Sure didn’t want to cancel our first trip in 2 years.
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Absolutely. After such a long wait you guys deserve a worry-free vacation.
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I figure it’s only a matter of time before I hit a deer. Just seems inevitable out here. Glad the damage was minimal, and that photo of the horses in the misty field? Totally makes the near-collision worth it!
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I hope you’re wrong. I’ve been in 3 cars that have hit deer, it’s not an experience I recommend.
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Yikes. I hope so, too. But there are so many out here…almost seems like a rite of passage.
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Two out of my three survived. I cried like a baby at the third.
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You can almost smell this place. How refreshing. Good luck with your ride. Be well.
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Vermont is a beautiful state.
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Gorgeous! I’m loving the horse pic – the light, the autumn leaves, the green grass. Also, I wonder if those are orbs or raindrops.
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It was drizzling, and I was shooting through a car window so I’m guessing raindrops….
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