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A VERMONT WONDER-THE QUECHEE GORGE

Natural wonders occur in the most unassuming places, as we discovered when visiting Quechee Gorge in eastern Vermont.
 Anyone traveling in Vermont will be charmed by its quaint little towns and picturesque scenery, and rightly so.  But another feature sits between the towns of White River Junction and Quechee Village in eastern Vermont:  the Quechee Gorge.  With campgrounds located nearby and shopping opportunities galore, the natural attraction is also a natural choice for an RV destination.
 We last visited eastern Vermont in early fall, just before the leaf-peepers swarmed the area.  The foliage was just beginning to turn, offering a preview of what was promising to be an outstanding color season.  Driving into Vermont from New Hampshire is in itself a rewarding treat, with its winding country roads neatly camouflaged by a thick tenting of maple, birch and pine trees.  As we approach Quechee from White River Junction on Rt. 4, these trees give the impression of cooler temperatures as the autumn sun is shielded from warming the road below them.  The view opens up as we drive on to reveal a smattering of shops alongside the road, one complete with an artificial moose and a train ride around its perimeter.  The growing number of people walking alongside both sides of the street on sheltered walkways tells us we have arrived at our destination.  Quechee Gorge lies directly underneath the bridge on Rt. 4, but no view is available from this point on the road.  Parking is provided in several areas on either side just before and after the bridge, and a short walk brings us to the safe viewing areas right next to the street. 
The first look down into the Gorge has both a dizzying and dazzling effect on me, as the Gorge lies 165 feet below the bridge on which I am standing.  The deep cut in the earth’s surface travels for 1 mile, all of it visible from the bridge.  Thick foliage, beginning from road level, covers the downward sloping hills on each side, thinning out to just a few straggly strays near the bottom.  There, jagged dark rocks slant down to the water’s edge.  The seemingly thin line of silver sparkling in the sunlight is the Ottaquechee River flowing through the Gorge.  Each side of the street offers a different view, so we are sure to get both views for the full effect.

Hiking and foot trails surround the Gorge and Ottaquechee River areas, allowing visitors to get a closer look at nature’s handiwork.  From a lower level, the temperature turns distinctly cooler, the murmuring sound of gently flowing water has a calming appeal, and the piney scent from the swaying boughs of fir trees fills the air.  It is a fairly easy hike, and one well worth experiencing.  Although the Gorge was formed initially by a powerful, meandering waterfall carving the slot, there are now only small natural cascades inside the Gorge. 
Once we had our fill of the Gorge area, we ventured into the second most popular area attraction:  shopping.  Specialty stores, a well-stocked general store, antique shops and more act as magnets to visitors, and I was no exception.  Poking through the general store was my favorite, finding many made-in-Vermont items to purchase.  Candies, condiments, maple syrup, candles, clothing, and jewelry; so many choices to suit any taste. 
Choosing a dining spot was easy for me.  A small trolley car-turned-restaurant offered delicious items for breakfast, lunch and dinner using food items specifically from Vermont farmers, creameries and businesses.  Other dining options are available for even the most discerning tastes, even if a short drive away in surrounding towns.
There are many other reasons to visit Vermont, so plan to leave extra time to take day trips to experience all the state has to offer.  Try a tour of Cabot Creamery or Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream; take a trip to beautiful and quaint Stowe where the Von Trapp Family Inn makes its home and antique shopping is extensive.  Drive through the rolling country hills where grazing cattle dot the landscapes, or where tiny clusters of homes tucked into valleys create a scene reminiscent of a Kincaid painting.  Seek out covered bridges that stand in inconspicuous spots, some still in use today and others now simply for the aesthetic pleasure.
A Vermont experience leaves a lasting impression with me.  We often return to Quechee Gorge, perhaps as a reminder that the simplest pleasures in life are not those that can be bought or man-made, but given to us through nature as a gift to just enjoy.