Sentimental Journey

August 28-September 2
Burlington, Vermont was our destination. The birthplace of Frank Pires! This entire trip has been a “sentimental journey” for my husband. He spent various years of his childhood growing up or visiting relatives in Vermont. He later returned to his home state and worked many years of his adult life in Rutland, VT. Several of the New England states…Maine, Upstate New York, New Hampshire…and Canada hold memories for him either as a child, a young adult, and even as a newlywed soon to be raising a family. It’s been so much fun for me to travel the back roads of these places with him and be able to see through his eyes what his life was like before I ever met him…get a feel for his roots. Makes me love him even more!!

Childhood Home and Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Rutland, VT

A Favorite Place for Dining and Ice Cream...Sewards...We Stopped for Lunch

While visiting in Rutland, we stopped by the Episcopal Church. Frank went to church here and he wanted to go inside. We were lucky that the pastor of the church was in the office and she willingly gave us a tour. The sanctuary had had some remodeling since Frank attended, but he still reminisced about singing in the choir, the pew area where his family sat, and his Sunday School days. Can you imagine seeing and hearing “little” Frank singing in the church choir?

Trinity Episcopal Church Rutland, VT

After our “stroll down Memory Lane” we left Rutland and went to the Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge. The forebear of all Morgan horses was a rugged little stallion “Figure” belonging to Justin Morgan. Today, the Morgan breed, still bearing the unique traits of it’s Vermont sire, is one of the favorite saddle, family, and endurance breeds in America.
The beautiful rolling green fields and woodlands of the property has known the beat of hundreds of famous Morgan horses dating from the 1800’s to the present. There are 60-80 registered stallions, mares, and foals at this historic site today.
I never knew too much about the development and history of the Morgan until our visit. That includes the story surrounding the famous horse race between “Figure” and a prized thoroughbred named “Sweepstakes” from Long Island, NY. The race took place in 1796 and the legend of “The Morgan Mile” was rooted in horse history. Disney made a film “Justin Morgan Had a Horse”…I have never seen it but plan to now!