In Search of Moose

....It starts with a trip to the grocery store, the purchase of pretzels and cheese; any favorite road side treat will do. Once home, the packing of binoculars, the 35 mm, its series of lens, film, and the camcorder go into the SUV.
Then off we go......on our road trip to Island Pond, the best place in Vermont to spot moose.
The drive takes us past authentic Vermont shops such as The Castle, a privately owned home in Irasburg with white castle exterior. The owners run a small elegant gift shop in their renaissance interior serving delicate treats and teas out of their dome kitchen. Though unfortunately, I hear the place is up for sale. There is the Trading Post just outside of Orleans selling hunting items, wool clothing, and snowshoes and Uncle Bill's Diner, with his delicious fresh cut fries....and least not to mention The Cajun Snack Bar, setting invitingly along the road north of Lowell, with umbrella tables, serving, to my opinion, one of the best Philly Cheese steak sandwiches in the state. So many good food spots are available but you wouldn't be able to try them all in one day.
Interestingly enough, we pass an Elk farm and later a Boar farm; always a picturesque stop...And although slightly out of our way, we choose to drive towards Lake Willoughby, said to have likeness to Loch Ness. There is no lake monster here, but it does host local folklore. A perfect place to enjoy a packed lunch. If you go during the winter and have your binoculars you are sure to see ice climbers as they hang by picks on mountain sides of pure ice. Then up and over the hill to Island Pond, watching our speed, because the local constable has a reputation for catching every driver who dares speed over 35 in his town.

Once in Island Pond, we have to stop at the local gas station/deli to buy local Vermont made jerky. The Cobb smoked is the best! Again, if your here during the winter months, be prepared to watch for the snowmobiles, there will be over a hundred drivers if the snow is just right...and this is their favorite place to stop for gas, before racing out on the frozen lake. Finally we head to the outskirts of town choosing between routes 114 and 105. Both leading to the New Hampshire/Canadian border.
To see a moose in the wild is indescribable. They are curious creatures, and for the most part don't seem to scare easily, taking their time to either cross the road in front of you, or grazing near mud wallows. Evidence is obvious along the road sides, as their huge hooves sink into the mud and track over the asphalt. We were told the moose hang near the highways due to their addiction to road salt, and naturally as the chicken joke states, to cross to the other side.

We only need to see one to feel that our day trip was worth the effort. The magnificence of their size and mostly calm demeanor leave you in awe. Though I recommend taking the pictures from the car, I have been led back to my car by a bull, and mothers with young are very protective. Mostly though they continue to feed ignoring the winding of the finished rolls of film and the chattering awes and ooohhhs from the car. They don't fall for the vocal moose bleats either. They are definitely the showbiz confidants of the animal kingdom.