More mature travel alert!

Well, what can I say? After all of the pimple picking, loud, know-it-all travelling youths at hostels, this hostel at White River Junction, Vermont is a breath of fresh air.

Because it isn't in a large or popular town; and doesn't have all of the facilities the young crowd want, I think there is just one or two other people here in the youth hostel wing.

Actually it is an old style hotel called the Coolidge Inn, but they have opened up one wing as a hostel. Here is a link for more information.

All of the rooms are single (private) occupancy in this old, heritage-protected building and the room I have is bigger than the four bed dorm I stayed in at the Boston youth hostel last night. It feels like I'm staying in a heritage pub, or a quaint B&B, or similar, with wide wooden hallways, lounge areas, and an art exhib in the foyer. But in the hostel wing, it has a kitchen and lounge area for self-sufficiency - very basic, but that helps keep the riff raff away.

And all for the nearly the price I paid for a four or more bed dorm in other places. Just $45 bucks a night for some peace and quiet, a kitchen, and much faster wifi internet than that crud place I stayed in at Salem for $105 a night. Gotta love it here!

And ... looking at the tourism brochures at hand and after walking around the small ville, I am in the hub of the antique, vintage clothing, art and craft area of Vermont. Wish I had a car to get around in. Everything is soooooo close, but just beyond walking distance.

Speaking of walking distance, I have to giggle about local attitudes. I asked a group of four local women where a supermarket was and whether it was within walking distance. After minutes of weighing up what to say, they were still unsure of whether I could walk there in 20 minutes or less - but in reality it was just five minutes away. Maybe on some levels, this ville is a tad too small ...

After I found the supermarket, I bought a bottle of Chardonny, a large slab of steak, a tomato, and an onion for dinner for $8.73. What an excellent dinner!

Tomorrow night I am toying with the idea of visiting the pub next door for a BBQ rib feast and salads for $8.95. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ...

Well, well, well, here it is "tomorrow night" and I'm just back from having me a plate full of hickory smoked pork ribs and salad. Great little place and they were just firing up for karaoke when I left (Lenore and Brian, you would love it here).

I really hope the word gets out in the more mature travel circles that this is an interesting place to visit, and especially that the Coolidge Inn (youth hostel) is a grand old place to stay in - and that the youth stay away in droves.

Also, Vermont seems to have a no billboard or other visual pollution law. Just beautiful scenery and no visual clutter.

Lovely spot to linger and have some down-time (Wendy, you will be pleased to know I plan to chillax here). It is still raining, so am spending the day in my room, hammering the internet to get some forward planning done and catch up on a few things.

Only two things to say about this:
1. No, it isn't; and
2. That sign has to be bad for business.

For such a little place, there is a huge art centre. This is at the front door to the centre.

As this place was a central hub for the many nearby towns it was a main railway link.

Okay, maybe the name of this business relates to what should be done to these two buildings.

Small area in an otherwise ugly bit of the village, but what a lovely concept.

Typical style of housing, gotta love that car ruin on the left.

Fire on demand?