Gaby's Diary

Golden Rose Bed & Brakfast, Sommer School in Bridgewater, Vermont, USA 

Saturday, September 8, 2001 New York City
I woke up at 4:30 in the morning because my friend was going to California. At 5 o'clock I said good-bye to my friend and went back to bed. At 8 o'clock I got up and put on my clothes. I went to the information desk and asked again for the shuttle bus to the airport, but there wasn't any room. Okay, I knew then to take a cab.

I went to a coffee shop, ate a butter croissant and drank a hot chocolate. I went back to the hotel and made a phone call to my boyfriend. I went to the hotel room, packed my stuff and wrote in my diary. At 11'o'clock I left the room, checked out at the reception and got a cab. At the airport I checked in and went to the waiting room. At 2 o'clock I boarded the aircraft. At 4 o'clock the flight landed in Burlington, Vermont. Near the baggage claim I met Rosie. We drove to Burlington downtown. In a restaurant at the harbor we ate dinner. A band played very well. 

Sunday, September 9, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I woke up at 8:30, then I took a shower. After I ate a big breakfast with grapefruit, toast, juice and tea. I went with Rosie to her parents' house. There I met Jean, her brother-in-law. We drove to the Pond Hill Ranch. I rode two horses, Solomon and Cameron alias Seinfeld. I chose Solomon, the brown one to rent. I made a contract with the owners and paid $ 300.00. 

We drove to South Bay, Lake Champlain. We took the canoe to the shores and made a nice tour together. We took the canoe out of the water and brought it under a big tree. At Heidi's we ate dinner: hamburgers, corn and chips. We enjoyed a quiet evening.

Monday, September 10, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I woke up at 7:30. At 8 o'clock I ate breakfast. After breakfast I brushed my teeth and made my bed. At 9 o'clock, the English lessons began. I learned a lot of words about the horse. For lunch I ate a sandwich and drank a lemon-up.

In the afternoon, Rose and I drove to a shop and bought grain for the horse. I enjoyed a sightseeing tour of Bridgewater. I saw the church, the schoolhouse and the drugstore at the corner. At the old Mill I went shopping. I bought stamps and cards. At the sport shop I tried a winter cap but it was too big. After shopping I walked back to the Golden Rose Bed & Breakfast. Then I did my homework. For dinner we ate pizza and salad. After dinner I went to the computer and wrote e-mails to my friends. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I woke up at 7:30 and went in the bathroom for washing my face. After I put on my clothes and ate breakfast. At 9 o'clock the English lesson began. The phone rang. May be it was someone from the Pond Hill Ranch because they wanted to bring my horse. But Jean, Rose's brother-in-law was on the phone. He announced a terrible event. Two aircraft crashed in the World Trade Center in New York City.Rose and I went to the television and looked and heard the bad news about this terror attack.

After lunch, finally Solomon was shipped. He has a brown coat with dark brown mane and tail, a Quarter Horse. We had a problem with the electrical fence. It didn't work. Rose drove into the village, but nobody knew how to repair the unit. In the late afternoon Rose helped me saddle Solomon and then I rode many circles on the meadow. Wow, that was fun! For dinner Rose cooked grilled hamburgers with salad. It was very delicious.

Solomon was tied with a rope at the tree and got grain. Good night Solomon!

Wednesday, September 12, 2001 Bridgewater
Rose had a hard night! Solomon wasn't happy with his rope. He tore away.Fortunately in the morning he was in the meadow. After my breakfast Solomon ate his grain. He loves grain. At 9 o'clock the hard learning began.

After lunch I went with Solomon to the upper field. We hoped that he would eat there a lot of grass, but with the rope, he didn't eat. I took off the rope and then Solomon ate a lot of grass. We went back but not together . At the end of the field he ran through the bush home. I brushed Solomon's coat. I went to saddle Solomon and rode one hour. I did my homework at the bench near Solomon. He's a gentle, lovely horse! Later I went to saddle Solomon again and rode many times.At 7 o'clock Rose and I went to West Lebanon. We went shopping in many stores and ate dinner in Shorty's Mexican Restaurant. We were back at 10:30 and Solomon was at home. That was fun! He got grain. Good night, sleep well! 

Thursday, September 13, 2001 Bridgewater
In the morning I gave Solomon grain. I ate breakfast and had English lessons. After lunch I brushed Solomon and rode in the meadow. I made a collect call to my parents but my mother didn't understand the operator and she hung up. I called my boyfriend and he will talk with my parents about the collect calls.

Rose drove with me to Grafton Village. It's a little sleepy village with a lot of old houses. We saw the cheese factory, the blacksmith, stores, a beautiful garden and the Hotel Old Tavern. We were a little late, the most houses were already closed, but the Old Tavern had many guests. We ate dinner back home and I had to do my homework: two day reports, two units in the grammar book and the new vocabulary.

Friday, September 14, 2001 Bridgewater
I got up at 7:30, washed my face and put on my clothes. Before breakfast I went to Solomon and he got his grain. After the English lessons I ate lunch on the porch. 
In the afternoon I saddled Solomon and Rose accompanied me to the trails in the forest.

After Rose left us, I rode many times on different trails. I came back to the fields and Solomon ate grass. He wanted to roll in the grass. I took off the saddle. When I wanted to go home, he left me and ran in the forest. I went back and fetched grain. I searched for Solomon but I didn't find him. I told Rose about my mistake and we both searched for Solomon. Rose found him on a farm. The owners had taken him in a fence. Rose brought Solomon home. Rose drove me to the mall in Rutland. She had to look to her chalet. I stayed in the mall and went shopping. Afer I met Rose at the food court and we ate dinner. Back home Heidi was already waiting in the house. We drank a hot chocolate and talked together. 

Saturday, September 15, 2001 Bridgewater 
I woke up at 8:30. I fed Solomon and ate breakfast. I saddled Solomon and rode on the trails. I saw two squirrels crossing the trail and an owl sitting on a branch. After I stayed with Solomon in the upper field for eating grass but now with a rope.

At noon, Rose, Heidi and I drove to Tunbridge to the World Fair. It was very interesting. We saw a lot of cows, oxen, horses, sheep, and goats. Many old machines were exhibited in the museum. We saw the first car, a cider press, old tools, a milking machine, the blacksmith, irons, and rooms with old furniture. There were different midway rides and a ferris wheel, too. A lot of vegetables were exhibited. We admired the biggest pumpkin and the highest sunflower. For the kids, they had a lot of games. A merry-go-round and pony riding. The funniest part of the fair was for me the racing pigs. Five pigs ran a circle to the food. It was a very exciting fair.
Back home, I did a part of my homework and made a long call with my friend in San Diego. She's from Switzerland, too and goes in a college there and lives in a family.

Sunday, September 16, 2001 Bridgewater 
I enjoyed my bed for a long time. I woke up at 9 o'clock and got up at 9:15. I took a shower, put on my clothes and ate breakfast. Rose was going to church. I saddled Solomon and made a long ride. I rode through a gold course and saw a pond with a canoe. 

After riding, Solomon ate a half hour in the upper field. Back home, I brushed Solomon and he got an apple and grain. I did homework and read some pages in my book on the balcony. I took Rose's bike and rode along the Bridgewater Center Road. It was very nice and there wasn't much traffic. Rose drove to Rutland and picked up Eric at the airport.

Monday, September 17, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I woke up, got up, washed my face and dressed. Rose was working in the kitchen and Eric was smoking on the porch. I went to Solomon and he got grain. I ate my breakfast. I did the rest of my homework. I saddled Solomon and discovered a new trail. I rode back, brushed Solomon and gave him an apple.

At 11 o'clock Rose, Eric and I drove to the supermarket in Woodstock. Back home we ate lunch. 
After I had English lessons. We drove to Killington at 2:30 PM. We walked up to the top of the mountain. On the trails, we learned twelve trees and took home the leaves. The trail was very steep and we breathed hard and sweated a lot. At the top we had a beautiful view. We saw Bridgewater with the binoculars. We took another trail for hiking down.We drove to Rutland to the airport. Eric had to pick up his suitcase and left the wrong baggage at the terminal.After, we ate a delicious dinner at the Ponderosa Restaurant. They had a great "all you can eat buffet". Satisfied and tired we drove back home.

Tuesday, September 18, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I got up, dressed and went to Solomon. After horse feeding I ate breakfast with Eric. I wrote my diary, saddled Solomon and rode a nice circle trail. After lunch I had a quiz about the leaves from yesterday. It's hard work by Rose's! In the afternoon I did a part of my homework and ate a banana and some crackers.

At 5 o'clock we left Rose's Bed & Breakfast and drove to Poultney. There was an event from a storyteller at the Green Mountain College. Joseph Bruchac told traditional Indian stories. He told stories about animals, the nature and the respect, and the human wishes in an exciting way. He sang a song that brings people together and played a tune on his flute.
Back home everyone prepared something for dinner.

Wednesday, September 19, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I woke up, dressed, and went in the bathroom. Then I gave Solomon his grain.
At 8 o'clock Eric and I ate breakfast. At 9 o'clock Eric had his lesson and I wrote in my diary. At 10 o'clock we drove to Woodstock. We went to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller House. There, we had a guided tour. It was very interesting. The lady told us a lot about the three families. They did a lot for the environment. In this time the people cut 80% of their trees. There were barren hills, silted rivers and devastated countryside. Mr. Billings brought trees from Europe and put them in Woodstock. The Rockefeller's made the gift in 1992 for the first National Park in Vermont.

After we visited the Billings Farm and Museum. The manager from the farm had a really big and beautiful house. We drove to Woodstock and went shopping in many stores. Eric couldn't renounce buying some cigarettes. Shame but he will try to stop smoking. Back home, I saddled Solomon and rode on the trails and on the field. For dinner we walked to the 20's Restaurant. Rose and I ate pizza and Eric ate pasta with tomatoes and shrimp. It was delicious.

Thursday, September 20, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
After breakfast, I saddled Solomon and rode a long trail with him. I saw two deer. Then Solomon got an apple and grain. It started to rain. I took a shower and did the last part of my homework. After lunch I had English lessons. We put together the menu for tomorrow and wrote the shopping list. We will cook a stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes and squash. After Erich's and my phone call to Switzerland, we drove to the Quechee Gorge. We only looked downn, because of the rain it was wet and slippery. We went to the gift shop and bought a few souvenirs.

We drove to the Simon Pearce Glass Blowery, but there wasn't anybody working. After we found the Sugarbush Farm, but they were closed. We drove to the supermarket in Woodstock and bought the ingredients for our dinner tomorrow. A little note about Woodstock. There was a famous rock concert in the 60's, but it was in Woodstock in New York State. Our Woodstock is a beautiful city with a lot of stores for tourists. Back home we three cooked a cheesecake together.

Friday, September 21, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I woke up, went in the bathroom and put on my clothes. I went to Solomon and fed him. After I had breakfast with Eric.I saddled Solomon and rode a nice trail.
At 11:30 AM I took a little brunch. I ate crackers with cream cheese. Then I had English lessons. At 1:30 PM we prepared the turkey. Rose taught me to cook a stuffed turkey. We put the turkey in the oven and I had my second English lesson.

At 5 o'clock Eric made the mashed potatoes and prepared the squash. I set the table. At 6:30 PM Rose's brother Walter and his wife, Aida drove to the house. Together, we enjoyed a delicious dinner. I ate too much, but it was really fantastic.

Saturday, September 22, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
At 10 to 9, I went to Solomon and gave him his grain. At 9 o'clock Eric and I ate breakfast. At 10:30 we drove to Rutland and Rose left us. She had a birthday party at her mom's house. Eric and I went shopping. I bought a blouse, a bag, a baster and an apple peeler. Eric bought a rain cap and a bag and a cookbook for his wife. He's a good husband! We went in a restaurant and drank a glass of Zinfandel wine.

At 3:30 PM Rose picked us up and we drove to Killington. We went in a ski shop and I looked for a ski hat but I didn't find any. We drove home and I rode Solomon. For dinner, we ate turkey, mashed potatoes and squash.

Sunday, September 23, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
I woke up at 7:30 AM and took a shower. After I went to Solomon and gave him grain. Then, Eric and I ate breakfast. At 9 o'clock we drove to Weybridge for visiting the Morgan Horse Farm. The Morgan Horse is the first breed of horse in America. 
At the farm we watched a video and had a guided tour through the main barn. They had a lot of pretty foals. We drove to Fort Ticonderoga in New York State. It was an interesting Fort with a lot of old things: cannon balls, black powder horns, many muskets, house appliances and jewellery. Near the Fort we ate lunch. Again turkey, but now turkey sandwiches!

At 3 o'clock there was a musket demonstration. We took the ferry for crosing Lake Champlain. We drove another way home. In East Clarendon we walked to the Clarendon Gorge. In 1972 a 17 year-old man tried to cross the river with a high water level, but he drowned . The bridge over the gorge is now a memorial for Bob. We drove home and ate dinner. I ate a toast with cheese, turkey and stuffing 

Monday, September 24, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
After breakfast, I rode Solomon on a long trail. Then I made many pictures of Solomon and Rose's Bed & Breakfast House. For lunch I ate an excellent turkey toast! At 12:30 PM my last English lessons began. I had a quiz about my new vocabulary. After I had to reconfirm my flights for Thursday. The flight from New York to Atlanta was cancelled. I had to take an earlier flight. Now I changed my flight from Burlington to New York too. The airplane will start at 20 to 9 in the morning. We have to leave home then at 5 o'clock! Good Morning! 

After my phone calls we drove to Woodstock. Rose was in a really special bank because the counter was outside. It was a drive-thru-bank. I've never seen a bank in this style. We drove to Lebanon in New Hampshire and went shopping in many stores. I bought a lot: a skirt, shoes, a little gift for my boyfriend, Christmas presents and hot-wheel-car shoes for a little boy. We ate dinner at Taco Bell's. The burrito was very fine. Back home, Solomon was waiting for his grain.

Tuesday, September 25, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
It was raining almost the whole day. After breakfast I tried to saddle Solomon. But without success. I was very wet so I took a shower. I wrote my diary and did a part of my grammar homework.

After lunch we drove to Plymouth and visited the house of the 30th President: Calvin Coolidge. We saw his birthplace, his homestead, the Wilder Barn, the church, the post office and store and the cheese factory. It was very interesting because the houses weren't renovated in the 20th century. The housekeeper didn't like a modern house with electricity and plumbing and used her room upstairs in the old fashion.After we walked to the cemetery and looked at all the graves from the Coolidge family. We drove home and I tried again to saddle Solomon. I hitched Solomon with a rope to the tree but he broke the branch and ran around the meadow in the bushes. Rose and I went to him and calmed him. Back at the meadow I was successful in saddling Solomon and rode a short trail.
Back home he got an apple and his grain.

Wednesday, September 26, 2001 Bridgewater, Vermont
Rose had an adventure-night. Solomon left us and ran on the highway. A young couple arrestet the horse and alarmed Rose. She brought Solomon back and in the morning he enjoyed about his grain!! 

My last day in Bridgewater began. After breakfast, I washed my clothes and saddled then Solomon. I enjoyed my last ride because Solomon was a gently horse!! Back home I packed my baggage and ate lunch. In the afternoon we drove to Okemo Mountain and glimbed on a firetower. We had a beautiful view!! Then, we walked through Ludlow. We drove back home,I packed the rest of my baggage and took a shower. At 6.30 we walked to Twenty`s and enjoyed a fine dinner with wine!! Eric invited us. Thank you very much, Eric!!! 

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