New England in the Fall. It’s been on our bucket list for quite a while – checking out the fall colors. The color change started later this year because of the warmer weather and lack of rain. Locals told us the colors aren’t as vibrant this year, but for us, they are breathtaking still.
 

Vermont

Vermont is a beautiful state. We saw the beginnings of fall colors appear here. We were still a week or so away from peak colors, but beautiful still. We stopped at three interesting places in Vermont.
 

Hildene – Robert Todd Lincoln Home

The first son of President Abraham Lincoln, Robert Todd Lincoln, was the only one of Lincoln’s four sons to live to adulthood. A successful attorney and investor, Lincoln became President of the Pullman Palace Car Company. Pullman cars were rentable passenger train cars that were the epitome of luxury. Here are some photos of the home and a restored Pullman car that was on the property.

 

 

Calvin Coolidge Homestead

President Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth President of the United States, was raised in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. We visited his childhood home as well as other local buildings from the period. Coolidge lived there from age four until age 15 when he left for schooling at Black River Academy. He is buried in Plymouth Notch Cemetery not far from the home.

See more photos in the gallery.

When President Harding died, Coolidge was visiting his parents at his childhood home.  His father, a Notary Public, woke Coolidge with the news and then gave Coolidge the oath of office in their parlor (pictured below).  Coolidge’s father was questioned as to why he had the authority to swear in the President of the United States.  His reply?  “No one told me I couldn’t.”

 
 

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry

Although New Hampshire is called the Granite State, Vermont has its fair share of Granite as well. We toured the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry. It was quite a site.

The Smith Quarry is around 600 feet deep and is said to be the largest operating deep-hole granite quarry in the world.

One claim to fame for Rock of Ages is that it was a location set for the 2009 Star Trek movie. Part of the car chase scene in the beginning of the movie was filmed at Smith Quarry.
 
 

New Hampshire

We celebrated our anniversary at the Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.  This 1902 Spanish Renaissance building is beautiful, and was a perfect setting for us.

The fall colors have arrived, and we’ve seen some beautiful scenery. Here are some images from Jackson, NH.