Vermont


 * Vermont **

by HB Section 7

1. **__History__**

Vermont is often called The Green Mountain State. Its state motto is "Freedom and Unity"​. Verm ont became the 14th state on March 4th, 1791, when it joined the union. The state flower is the Red Clover, and the state bird is the Hermit Thrush.

Vermont became an independent state in 1777. It was called First Connecticut from January of 1777 until it got its present name in July of 1777. The Battle of Bennington also happened in 1777. It was a major revolutionary conflict, also called the "Vermont Battle". British land operations in the Northern Colonies came to an end because of this battle. In 1881, Chester A. Arthur became the 21st president, and he was born in Fairfield, Vermont. Calvin Coolidge, who was born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, became the 30th president. The first woman governor, Madeleine M. Kunin, was elected in 1984.

I have chosen to visit Vermont to learn what makes vermont unique. I'll visit the Bragg Farm Sugar House to learn more about maple syrup, what Vermont is known for. I'll also visit Vermont's only public planetarium at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St.Johnsbury. At the Rock of Ages Quarry, I'll learn how granite is mined, how people make things of granite, and what is made. I'll also visit the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory to taste this famous ice cream! I'll also visit the Cabot Cheese Factory to taste different types of cheese made by this dairy farm co-op. These are some of the reasons I want to visit Vermont.

2. __**Itinerary**__

Monday, July 19, 2010 Today, we will depart Harrisburg and fly to Burlington, Vermont. We will eat lunch before we leave, but will hopefully get a snack the plane. Once we arrive in Burlington in the afternoon, we will stay at the Bestwestern Windjammer hotel for one night.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Today we will leave our hotel and drive to Waterbury, Vermont where we will visit the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory. There we will learn the history of Ben and Jerry's business, see how the ice cream is made (they have tons of different yummy flavors!), and taste some new ice cream like Cake Batter. After the ice cream factory tour, we will go to the Cabot Cheese Factory. This factory also has a tour, and we will learn how different dairy farmers have come together to produce cheese and other dairy products. We will also taste different types of cheeses here. Then we will drive to Montpelier and check-in at the Inn at Montpelier to stay there for a few nights while visiting attractions in this area.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Today we will drive to the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury. We will visit the museum and attend the planetarium show. This museum is the oldest science education museum in the nation, with many thousands of specimens of mammals and birds to view. The planetarium show gives you information about the night sky as it appears in the north. Then we will drive to East Montpelier and visit the Bragg Farm Sugar House to learn for about what Vermont is known for - maple syrup! Then we will drive back to the Inn at Montpelier.

Thursday, July 22, 2010 This morning, we will go to the Rock of Ages Quarry to learn how granite is mined, what types of things are sculpted from granite, and how these items are made. We can take a bus ride to view the actual quarry. At the factory, we can make a granite etching using a sandblaster. In the early afternoon, we will drive west back to Burlington. In the evening, we will take a dinner cruise on Vermont's premier cruise boat, Northern LIghts. We will enjoy live music, a buffet dinner and dessert while cruising on Lake Champlain. We will spend the night at the Bestwestern Windjammer hotel in Burlington.

Friday, July 23, 2010 In the morning, we can relax and remember the fun we've had in Vermont! We'll go to Frog Hollow on the Market Place, a branch of the Vermont State Craft Center, and to Church and Maple Glass Studio to view glassblowing and purchase crafted items. We can also go to Ben & Jerry's for ice cream before heading back to return our rental car. In the late afternoon, will get on a plane at the Burlington International Airport and fly back to Pennsylvania. Because of the flight time, we hope to get something to eat on the plane. Then when we arrive in Harrisburg, we will drive back to our home in Carlisle.

3. __**Travel Plans**__

Estimated Time from home: 3 hours Estimated distance from home: Approximately 500 miles Leaving From: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Departure Date: 7/19/2010 Airline: US Airways Length of Trip (one way): 1 hour and 19 minutes Destination: Burlington, Vermont

Returning From: Burlington, Vermont Departure Date: 7/23/2010 Airline: US Airways Length of Trip (one way): 3 hours and 17 minutes with layover in New York, New York Destination: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Total Cost: $4,770.00

Car Rental Thrifty Car Rental Type of Car: Van Model: Dodge Caravan Daily Rate: $81.99 Taxes: $31.48 Trip total with taxes: $359.44 Mileage allowance: 150 miles per day, $.25 per extra mile Picking up vehicle: At airport, 7/19/2010, 4 PM Returning vehicle: At airport, 7/23/2010, 2:30 PM

4. __**Accomodations**__

1. Best Western Windjammer Inn and Conference Center A. 1076 Williston Rd., South Burlington, VT 05403 B. 1-800-528-1234 C. $119.99 D. Amenities 1. Complimentary breakfast 2. Internet Access 3. Swimming pool 4. Conference center 5. All day refreshments/coffee

2. The Inn at Montpelier A. 147 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 B. (802) 223-2727 C. $136.00 D. Amenities 1. Air conditioning 2. Guest pantries 3. Internet access 4. Complimentary coffee and tea at any hour 5. Continental breakfast

5. **__Pre-Trip Planning__**

1. Stop mail and newspapers 2. Clean house and bathrooms 3. Clean rooms 4. Let neighbors know where we are going 5. Mow the lawn 6. Gas up the car we are using for the trip 7. Lock all doors and windows 8. Wash dishes and put them away 9. Flush all toilets 10. Lights off and set timers 11. Shut the garage doors

6. **__Estimated Costs__**

__Item and Total__

GAS: $ 50.00 HOTEL: $ 647.98 FOOD: $ 802.00 ENTERTAINMENT: $ 245.50 SHOPPING: $ 125.00 ROUND-TRIP AIRFARE: $ 4,770.00 CAR-RENTAL: $ 359.44 MISCELLANEOUS: $ 50.00

TOTAL $ 7,052.92



7. __**Bibliography**__

Meek, Harold A., and John McCardell. "Vermont." World Book Student. 2009. World Book Web. 10 Nov. 2009. 

Travelocity.com. 18 December 2009. [|www.travelocity.com]

Tree, Christina, and Sally. W. Johnson. __Vermont__. Woodstock, Vermont. The Countryman Press, 2004, pp. 347, 357, 433, 435, 436, 466, 514, 516.