I have to tell the best story of our trip so far (for me). We pulled into a gas station and the young attendant was really interested in our trip. So we chewed the fat for too long about all the details.
I got our gas and realized I'd forgotten to buy detergent. So I ran back in and the girl was on the phone to her mother, "Well, I'm mad because you never took us anywhere! This lady (she noticed me then) is taking her kids all over the place. She's here right now and she's already seen more of Vermont that I have!"
Back outside with my arms full of apples and detergent, a Burlington University student was hovering around our car. He stopped me and said, "I just am so curious! Tell me about your trip!" We went over the entire route, favorite spots, etc. He went on and on about how important it was what we were doing for our kids and that they will remember somehow and that it will matter to them. They responded to him with absolute intrigue.
Then he told me that his parents took he and his siblings around the world for a year when they were around 10-15 years old. He said it absolutely changed the course of his life forever. His favorites? Ireland, Sweden and Kenya. (All places I've yet to see!) Are they all travelers today? Yes, and in fact, his brother is studying in Kenya right now. This sweet young man was so inspiring and genuine and exuded a human warmth that I can only hope will emanate from my own kids when they grow up.
Our U-turn was successful and now we've officially been to Vermont. And now that we've been welcomed, we're so terribly sad to leave such a wonderful part of our country.
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