A Loop Around Mt. Ascutney
We decided to take on a relatively flat ride (2,300 feet ascent) around Mt. Ascutney. Overall the color has not changed as much as up north but it's also uneven as you can see in the photos. Sometimes it's just as vivid though with fewer reds. We started off with a mild climb around the north edge of Mt. Ascutney complete with sheep and meadows. As we rounded the northern edge, we rode above a stream that paralleled a 1% downhill for a couple of miles. This invites lazy cruising. After lunch in Springfield, we headed back north along the Connecticut River. Today's ride took us along streams and rivers more than any other.
Perhaps the most interesting was a conversation I had with a goat farmer who raised Boer goats. Not knowing what distinguished Boer goats from any other goat, I asked him. He looked and sounded as though he came right of out central casting. With a heavy Vermont accent he told me. "They're only for meat. Yup. Good for meat and not much else. Yup. That's your Boer goat." This was repeated several times. Those of you who know my strange sense of humor (and lack of couth) would not be surprised that I said, "I was wondering if they're called that because they were boring." With dead seriousness, he responded, "No they don't eat much wood". As I explained to Nancy, this wasn't a sharp comeback but rather a dry, factual statement. Yup, they don't eat much wood.
After returning to the car we drove the short distance to Putney. For dinner, we went to the local pub for a pint, pizza and desert.
