Rock of Ages Granite Quarry & North Branch Nature Center - Montpelier, VT - August 16

Rock of Ages Granite Quarry & North Branch Nature Center - Montpelier, VT - August 16


Our day started out a bit rainy, but pretty much stopped by the time we got to the quarry. We just made the 10:30 tour since the car’s navigator took us to the wrong spot as did Google Maps on my phone. The apartment complex where Google Maps wanted us to turn had a big sign saying do not enter or even turn around in their driveway unless you live there. I guess they got tired of people being sent there for the quarry. Finally, we backtracked and found road signs that took us there. 


We got in a small van with a few other people that took us to an overlook of the Smith Quarry. The quarry is the world’s largest deep-hole dimension granite quarry, and though 600 feet of its depths are under a well of milky-green water, the quarry is astoundingly huge.

On the ride up to the quarry we passed piles of granite blocks. Since 1885, quarry workers dumped pieces of granite with fractures or cracks in these sections called “grout piles.” The guide was very knowledgeable and answered the few people that seemed to have tons of questions. We watched them cut blocks of granite with a machine. 

 water coming out where the stone is being cut

the wire used to cut the granite

After the tour, we then went inside the plant for a self-guided tour. Huge blocks of granite are moved around, cut, polished, and engraved for gravestones. Most of America’s granite headstones come from here.

We then walked past some monument samples and then checked out the granite bowling alley that is outside. It was wet from the rain, but we tossed a few of the light soft rubber balls down the lane. They seemed to aim for the gutter, but I did manage to get 7 pins down. The Rock of Ages experimented with granite bowling lanes in the 1950s, but the concept never caught on. The lane was a prototype during those early years and has recently been restored for fun.

 granite bowling lane

 the balls are rubber

We went in and watched the 7 minute film on the quarry and then we left to go find lunch.

We ended up at The Mad Taco in Montpelier. It was OK. The street tacos were fine, and the salsa was really good, but the place was small and there wasn’t a good place to sit to eat and the soda was warm. 

 chips & salsa

 carnitas street tacos

downtown Montpelier

We had planned to visit the State House capitol building, but it was closed today due to a Vermont Holiday called the Bennington Battle Day. 


The state of Vermont takes the day off to commemorate a battle named after a southern Vermont town that didn't happen. There was a battle during the Revolutionary War called the Bennington Battle, but it wasn't actually fought in the Vermont town. The battle was fought just over the border in New York. The objective of the British army was to reach the Continental Army's arms depot in Bennington. Nonetheless, the entire day has become immortalized as a holiday when state offices are closed and entrance to state historic sites are free.


We will go back tomorrow to take one of their tours. 


So, we next drove the short distance to the North Branch Nature Center for some birding. It was a beautiful meadow type area with mowed paths that meander throughout the area. There were so many beautiful wildflowers. We thought we finally had seen the White-throated Sparrow, but once we got back to the hotel and looked at the photos it was a Savannah Sparrow. Ah well. 

 Milkweed

 Savannah Sparrow

 Joe Pye Weed

 a touch of early Fall

 Goldenrod

 Greg on the path

Catbird

We did some grocery shopping and came back to the hotel for dinner.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qx3JhYL3phxRMK846


Tomorrow, we will return to see if the State House is open and do some birding at another place.