Emerald Lake Report
I thought I would revive to this thread with a report on Emerald Lake. We arrived around 5pm last Friday. After ruining our dinner with soap (instead of olive oil) we went out to dinner at the "best diner" which really is the best diner I have ever been to... Anyway. We arrived back at camp to find a couple of late arrivals setting up camp late. After 10pm we were still listening to them chuckle and whatnot. So, I guess quiet hours are uninforced. We tried to go to sleep around 11pm, but were woken up at 12am by others laughing, and then at 2am by my son who was freaked a tad by sleeping in a tent.
The fair at Hildene the next day was great. They had horse and oxen pulls, and a guy who was really talented at sheering sheep. It was neat to experience a small amount of farm culture, especially in the beautiful Manchester valley, during peak fall colors. I have pictures if anyone expresses interest. One note, if you go to this fair, bring your own lunch. The food at the fair is overpriced, and nothing special.
Final thoughts on Emerald Lake. I thought the leanto we stayed at would overlook the lake. It did not. I thought it would be quiet. It was not, and in fact Rt. 7 is right there, so you listen to the highway all night. If I wanted that, I would move back to Vernon. I also thought it would be private. It was not. The campsites are so shoe-horned in there, that not only did we get to hear everyone's conversations, but we were witness to their fog lights, which is aggrivating when trying to spy stars on a clear night. All in all, we will drive a few miles north to stay at a nicer campground. At least we had fun at the fair.
-percious