Randolph
We are now nearly a century away from the days of the first railroad boom in Vermont, and far, too, from the days when the Vermont poet wrote: "Singing through the forests, rattling over bridges, shooting under arches, rambling over ridges, whizzing through the mountains, buzzing o'er the vale, bless me! This is pleasant, riding on the rail."
Charles Edward Crane, “Let Me Show You Vermont”
Randolph makes a good impression: comfortable neighborhoods and an active downtown that offers shopping, banking, eating, and a library. This makes for the perfect "carry my basket around for a morning of errands, then reward myself with books and coffee" experience. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed meals in a number of the town’s restaurants, including northern Thai food at Saap. Vermont doesn’t have is much in the way of ethnic food, and it’s a pleasant surprise when exotic cuisine turns up where you don’t expect it.
Randolph also feels like it's connected to the outside world, sitting in the path of major north-south roads—though the commerce once brought into town by Route 12 was drained by the nearby interstate. It also has an active Amtrak line. How exciting! The Vermonter runs between St. Albans and Washington, DC, with stops in Phillie and New York. One member of my family used to make that entire run frequently, and fortunately, he's a stoic, as it’s a very long trip over very old rails. Bring on the public works rail upgrade infrastructure program, Federal Government!
Randolph affords lovely views looking up the railroad tracks and down tree-lined residential streets from the train crossroads. The town’s houses are detailed and varied, and I could easily spend weeks standing on the sidewalk with my french easel, painting the sunlight moving across those Victorian roofs and windows.
Many of these 19th century homes have carriage houses that sheltered the horse and wagon, or maybe provided a place to milk "Bossie," the family Jersey. These structures still serve a function protecting the family car, bikes and mower, and they’re also a pleasure to look upon, elegant links to a living past.
