Common Rd. in Waitsfield - WOW!

Susan2004 · Post: # 10304Post **Susan2004** Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:34 pm

We're in Waitsfield for a week and it is definitely peak here. Aside from all of the great activities, restaurants, etc. the foliage is definitely a focal part of what we're enjoying so far. Everywhere we drive is gorgeous. But today took the cake.

We took Bridge St. off Rt. 100 to Warren Rd. to Common Rd. headed to Mountain Valley Farm on Common Road. Little did I know it would be the most beautiful drive we've had so far. The road itself is fairly "rustic" (dirt/gravel) with beautiful trees bending in an arch down a long portion of the road. And the views over the fields to the mountains was phenomenal. My camera absolutely did not do the color justice...it was the best we have ever seen here and this is our 5th year coming to Vermont. I really need to learn how to use my camera better.

Anyway, if you're looking for a pretty drive I would head over this way. There are lots of places in town to catch a bite to eat too.

I would post a few photos here if someone would remind me how...it's been awhile![/img]

ctyanky · Post: # 10308Post **ctyanky** Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:53 pm

Susan! So glad you did Common Road! I put that road on my long view post and have gone back there many times. It's simply divine! I was staying in Waitsfield a couple of days this week and did return there. I took Al. He really liked it too but it was at dusk. Did you drive all the way to the end to the covered bridge? Common Road turns into North Road I think. I went riding at Icelandic Farms which is on 100 just north of the town. If you are still there, take North Fayston Road in a loop to Center Fayston and back down to 100. What views! All dirt roads and gorgeous.

Mountain Valley Farm is where I was going to take my carriage ride. Next year for sure. They own a group of Belgians and are Connecticut transplants. So much to do in Waitfield.

The scarecrow scene is gone. bm and I checked it out and then I drove back on Bragg Hill later in the week. Maybe it will return next year!

Glad you liked the area. Where did you happen to dine? I think the last Farmer's Market is Saturday for the season. Hope you can go. Check out my blog on the Waitsfield Farmer's Market.........

ctyanky · Post: # 10309Post **ctyanky** Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:58 pm

P.S. Susan: did you see the Skinner Barn further down on Common Road? It's beautiful!

lirwin13 · Post: # 10377Post **lirwin13** Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:33 am

I drove the Common Road yesterday, and the colors were great! I stopped several times for photos, and the views were terrific! I had only gone partway down the road before, this time I took it all the way to the covered bridge and back. Beautiful!

ctyanky · Post: # 10393Post **ctyanky** Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:51 am

Laura: Awesome! Glad you got to the covered bridge! Did you see Skinner Barn? I have some nice shots of that too. Did you take any photos at the Mountain Valley Farm?

Also, did you notice there is no scarecrow display on Bragg Hill this year? Too bad. It was fun to stop there for some pictures.

If you are still in VT have a great time and please keep us posted on your activities and routes and mostly, your great photos!

Would love to have you join us for the reunion next year too!

Susan2004 · Post: # 10408Post **Susan2004** Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:34 pm

We didn't go past the farm, but maybe we will before we leave Thursday. I am just in love with that road.

Definitely do the carriage ride next time CT. It was expensive but worth it. So gorgeous and the owners were so friendly and enjoyable to chat with. They were great with our daughter as well. She loved it.

lirwin13 · Post: # 10409Post **lirwin13** Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:02 am

CT: I did stop at the Skinner Barn for some pictures! It was a perfect afternoon with a deep blue sky and puffy white clouds! A perfect backdrop for the red barn! I didn't stop at Mountain View, but did head up Bragg Hill. I was disappointed to not see the scarecrows! I was hoping to stop for some pictures there as well. Unfortunately, this is it for my Vermont travels this year. I still haven't made it to the Manchester area, perhaps that will be on next fall's agenda. I am heading up to North Conway for a day trip tomorrow, hopefully will catch the last of the leaves up there. I live on the coast of MA, so foliage is only starting to arrive here; I'm sure I'll be out taking pictures in this area if the weather holds out for the upcoming weekend!

Andy · Post: # 10422Post **Andy** Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:43 am

Laura: I haven't seen the "Skinner Barn." Hope you post a photo.

lirwin13 · Post: # 10426Post **lirwin13** Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:46 am

Here's a picture of The Skinner Barn:

This one was closer to the "start" of Common Road - all of Vermont in one photo: stone wall, foliage, and cows!

ctyanky · Post: # 10438Post **ctyanky** Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:11 pm

Laura: that is an outstanding shot of the Skinner Barn! Glad you got there. I've stopped there at least three times and think it is a beautiful red. And your "start of Common Road" scene was perfect with the foliage, cows and stone walls.

Common Road is one stellar place for long views. Everything Vermont rolled into one. I could live there!

Thanks for sharing your photos and hope you had a nice day today! Hope you report back on your trip to North Conway and if you have any pictures I would love to see them!

carol1946 · Post: # 10450Post **carol1946** Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:22 pm

We stopped at the Skinner Barn on Friday 10/9 and parked across the road by the house, where they were installing windows. One of the people kept looking at us and came over. He identified himself as the owner and told us to go over and look inside. He was really nice. Didn't know I was meeting someone famous! When we couldn't find the open door, he came across the road and showed us what door was open. I was followed the whole time by a very friendly kitty. There is a floor for woodworking. The top floor is one huge open area with a stage and lots of white folding chairs neatly folded up and stacked against the wall. The lady at the info center in town said they have concerts and weddings there. The people in the quilt shop was also very nice. Lovely stuff. They told us about a place near the movie theater south of town on R 100 that sold maple glazed donuts. mmmmm were they good. Also - check out Plunkton road for great views. I think Waitsville was my favorite town.
Color was beautiful last week.

The other Carol

ctyanky · Post: # 10451Post **ctyanky** Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:33 pm

other Carol! Yes - Waitsfield is my favorite area as well! So much to do there, lots of dining, activities and great proximity to hot spots! And gorgeous all over the place!

Wow! Lucky you to have gone in the Skinner Barn. Wish I had stopped there to peak in! So maybe you met the famous Antonio????

Do you remember the name of the place for the maple donuts? I'll write it down when I am in Waitsfield next year. Sounds so good!

Color was great when I was there last week! Common Road is getting a lot of notoriety with all the people heading out there! Soon we'll have the entire foliage forum converging on Common Road!!!

Susan2004 · Post: # 10453Post **Susan2004** Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:39 pm

Big Picture Cafe...that's where you got the maple donuts I'm guessing. They are on Rt. 100, same side as the Farmer's Market but further north. They have an all around great menu but the donuts are fun to just stop in and grab.

Waitsfield is without a doubt my favorite town. We are seriously considering buying a second home here someday (dreaming) to use and rent out, and my husband would prefer Waterbury because it's closer to Montpelier and Burlington (he's thinking about being able to do business while here) and I am fixated on Waitsfield. I'm in love. Really I'd like to live here full-time but he isn't interested in dealing with all of that.

CT - have you talked with the folks at Mountain Valley Farm at all? If you do the carriage ride here next year you have to ask them to tell you the story about HOW they moved here from Connecticut. It's great!

carol1946 · Post: # 10455Post **carol1946** Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:42 pm

My husband actually went into a little restaurant right next to the movie theater in a mall type area on the West side of the road while I went to the jewelry/bad sale which was in a tent in the parking lot. I guess they have it every Columbus Day weekend. My Waitsfield map is buried somewhere. When I find it, I'll try to figure out the name or the location for you.

The other Carol

carol1946 · Post: # 10456Post **carol1946** Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:45 pm

ooops!! I meant jewelry/BEAD sale. Bead store used to be near the quilt shop but they moved further down on 100. Maybe a mile south of the quilt shop??