The 56th Escapade wrapped up on Thursday afternoon, however the Champlain Valley Expo center offered attendees to stick around a couple extra days.
Which we gladly paid the $25/night dry camping fee for the opportunity to not be rushed and a chance to explore the area a bit before moving on.
While the expo center is located in Essex Junction, it’s just a quick hop over to Burlington. During the rally itself, there just wasn’t time to do much outside the convention area.
And we certainly weren’t the only ones to stay the extra time.
Our buddies Forrest & Mary had as well, and we always enjoy getting out exploring with them. We spent most of Saturday wandering around Burlington, trusting in serendipity to find adventure for us.
While out searching for lunch, we stumbled upon the Green Mountain Railway running a special 30 minute train ride. We had hoped it would be all coastal riding, which it unfortunately wasn’t. But still, fun to do.
We also wandered around downtown, and found the Festival of Fools going on – buskers from around the world performing. We stopped and admired a few.
We also spent an evening exploring with our friends Kate & Roger of RollingWithGrass, who we’ve met up with at prior Xscapers events. Roger had been hired to film a new video for Xscapers at the rally, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these two better over the week.
We also ended up downtown for dinner at a vegan restaurant, a Festival of Fools outdoor concert, and then attending an Eddie Izzard performance.
Super fun!
We really enjoyed the general vibe of Burlington. And if we weren’t so tuckered out after Escapade, we might have just been convinced to stick around longer.
There’s a great city run park (North Beach Campground) that we drove through with beach access, and a bike trail into town.
What’s Up Next?
After our time was up in Essex Junction, we headed off down the road to Warren, VT – to a super special retreat. We’ll catch you up soon, but suffice it to say – it was exactly what we needed to re-charge and catch up on a backlog of projects. Well, not that we’re fully re-charged. But, we’re getting there.
We’re now wandering around New Hampshire, and then will soon be crossing into Maine. We somehow miraculously scored reservations at Acadia National Park’s newest campground for over Labor Day weekend.
We hope to get a couple quality weeks in Maine (which we know will be way too short) before we need to turn around and head back south. My mom just booked a trip to Connecticut for a bit of a family reunion in the New London area in late September – which will influence our routing. From there, we aim to be in Florida by mid-November for the remainder of the winter.
Just realizing now that you are passing through Ashland, NH. I am looking at a Country Coach that is for sale there. I’m close to deciding on the best fit for my future home on wheels and will be making decisions within the next month!
Awesome.. we just left there this morning. Cute little town. Good luck in your decision.
Very inspiring!
Wondering what new campground is in Acadia – we were there before Escapade and liked it so much we’re heading back on Monday – staying on the Quiet Side at Bass Harbor. We love the free bus on Mt Desert Island which allow you to take dogs (cats probably don’t rid the bus!). If you’re heading up Rt 1, we’d recommend Searsport Shores – very well run place with beach access – lots happening in nearby Belfast, ME. Or since you’re Harvest Host folks, we loved a winery in Union, ME is 10 or so miles from the highway. We acquired some great wine, steaks, and eggs from them and loved the view of the stars from the field we stayed in.
We have a reservation at Schoodic Woods, which is reported to be fairly new.. with cell signal. 🙂 We’re excited to check it out.
Were at Schoodic Woods today – beautiful location and the campground is now added to our top places to stay at on a future trip back to Maine! Thanks for mentioning it! Recommend a wine tasting at the Bartlett Winery which is close by (only via car, RVs won’t fit).
We’ll be hiking the carriage trails the next 5-6 days with one hike ending at Jordan Pond so we can sample the popovers – but not there till the 100th Park Anniversary and weekend crowds depart.
Awesome to hear the campground is fabulous. We had been seeing other bloggers report on it too. We’re looking forward to the stop.
If ya like lobstah ya should get ovah the coast way and find a place where ya can buy a couple right at the dock. Wicked good! Gawd, I miss New England!
You’d think that I would love lobster, given that my Mom grew up on it and it’s her favorite thing ever. But, I never acquired a taste for it.
Check out the Pumpkin Fest in Damariscotta it’s a week long event you can search for it on the web. It draws thousands of visitors and gets better every year. Lake Pemaquid Campground is nice. If you go and let me know I may be able to score you my camp site at my brother and sister in law’s place he put in a 50 amp circuit for me last year and also has water. Wicked nice couple. I was supposed to go up in August but I have to have surgery hopefully I can make it in late September and October. That area is the prettiest along the coast.
Sounds like fun, but as best I can tell that not until October.. and we’ll be on our way south by then. Have a great time if you’re able to make it!
I used to have an office in Burlington back in the WANG days. Also had one in White River Junction and Rutland. I loved going over there it’s so beautiful. We did camp there several times. Two memeral moments for me. I got to see The King Richard Petty at thunder mountain on his fair well tour. The second I was in Rutland at a hotel the night Gulf War I started. I took my wife on one trip to Burlington I think that was with Digital and we stayed at the Hilton by the water front and had a water view. I was lucky when I was a recruiter with Digital I got to take her on several trips also when I was with WANG those were the days when money and perks flowed like water. Whin I was working in DC AOL was giving college grads a bonus and a BMW to work for them.
Oh my gosh… WANG! I haven’t heard that word in years. My father got his start in software programming designing systems for them, and they were the first computer I ever used. I grew up with a 2200 in our guest room at the house. Awww… sweet memories.
You’re going to love the bike trails on Schoodic point if that’s where you’re going. Am anxious to hear your review of the campground as we’ve been thinking of trying it out. Make sure you stock up before getting there as there’s not much in the way of stores.
We’re looking forward to our stay there!
Wow. What a great time you discovered in Burlington. Love reading of your adventures. Inspiring. Thank you.
Thanks for coming along for the ride!
We’re looking forward to Vermont next month, and really hoping for cooler temps! Love the vintage boats – nothing prettier on bright blue water. Looks like you had great fun with friends during your extended stay.
I think you’ll enjoy Vermont. We had a couple of toasty afternoons, but the weather cools off nicely in the evenings.
Excellent! You are in our neck of the woods! We’d love to have you stop in Westerly Rhode Island on your way to New London CT! It’s only 30 mins away! Ashaway RV resort. Check it out!
Thanks.. we’ll try to keep that in mind as we route down that way!