After dropping the teen-ager of at college, our friend Trevor made it possible to spend a day in Grafton, VT as the guests of the Inn at Grafton (run by his Uncle . . .). The following semi-bike related feature explains why next year the bikes come along to play. Above: one of several mtb trails through the woods and hills goes through here.

We hiked from the Inn to the ponds (less than a mile). Then we walked back on part of the mtb trails--and it wasn't just me wishing we had bikes. Sean imagines his line . . .

The road riding is equally cool--although, be warned, paved Vermont roads are something of a luxury. (State highway 121 into Grafton turns into dirt for about 8 miles. A dirt state highway . . . )

After the riding, though, there are numerous options. You could simply find a nearby stream (as did 3 mtbers my wife didn't photo):

Or, watched over by an alert amphibian, you could swim in the pond pool behind the Inn:

or . . . you could hang out on the porch:

Finally, after sampling some of the amazing cheese and maybe a locally-brewed beer in the old Barn pub, you'll need dessert:

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if you're brave, top all of that off with a snifter of Sapling: Maple syrup liqueur: