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These photos are from one of our day trips to the Manchester area during a recent visit to Vermont.
Mount Equinox Skyline Drive in Vermont can leave you breathless and in awe of its natural beauty. The Drive ascends 3,248 feet to the highest point in the Taconic Range, where from its windswept summit, you’re offered a 360-degree view of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and if it’s an especially clear day, Montreal’s Mount Royal.
There is a charge for entry, but all funds go to a non-profit entity and are used exclusively to maintain the Drive and preserve the mountain.
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Skyline Drive, the longest private paved toll road in North America, is said to be the most challenging and steepest bicycle climb in Vermont. The ascent is 8.52km (5.3 miles) long with an average gradient of 11.38%, with some parts up to 14.66%, and features tight switchbacks. Coming down, you’ll want to use a lower gear and engine braking or perhaps stop at one of the pull-offs to let your brakes cool down.
I love curvy, steep roads, so the drive was almost as enticing as the view. But I don’t believe I had Bonnie gripping the door and overhead handles too many times. 😉
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A ‘brief’ history of Mount Equinox paraphrased from several sources —
Mount Equinox, located in Vermont, is a remarkable mountain with a fascinating history dating back to the 1700s. In 1763, a group of surveyors mapping the region accomplished the first recorded ascent of Mount Equinox. As years passed, the mountain became an increasingly popular spot for sightseers and hikers, leading to the construction of several trails to reach the summit. In the late 1800s, a consortium of local business people built the Equinox House, a majestic hotel that hosted wealthy guests worldwide.
Skyline Drive was constructed in 1947 by Dr. Joseph Davidson, who owned much of the mountain. Later, the Equinox Skyline Inn hosted travelers at the summit. On that site now stands the current Saint Bruno Scenic Viewing Center.
Saint Bruno, also known as Saint Bruno of Cologne, founded the Carthusian Order of monks and was a prominent theologian. Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1030AD, he was educated at the Cathedral school in Reims, France, under famous scholars such as Anselm of Laon and Peter Abelard.
After being ordained as a priest and appointed as a canon at the Cathedral of Reims in 1057, Saint Bruno quickly became disenchanted with the corruption and worldliness of the clerical hierarchy. He abandoned his position to pursue a life of prayer and solitude.
In 1084, Saint Bruno established the Carthusian Order of monks. The Order is grounded in the principles of simplicity, seclusion, and devotion to God. The Carthusians live a contemplative life of prayer and solitude, spending most of their time in individual cells. Only a few hours are designated for manual labor and communal worship.
One of the Carthusian Order communities is the Carthusian Monks of Mount Equinox in Vermont, where they carry on Saint Bruno’s legacy. Seeking a remote location to practice their faith, the Carthusians arrived in Vermont in the early 1950s and established the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration in the Green Mountains.
The monks lead a life of prayer, contemplation, and work. It’s an austere life without modern comforts or luxuries as they cultivate their food, orchards, and livestock. They also sell artisanal products like honey, fruit preserves, and candles to support their way of life.
Despite their seclusion, the Carthusian monks significantly impact the local community. They offer spiritual guidance, and their artisanal products are highly regarded for their quality and craftsmanship. Their way of life showcases the power of faith and the importance of simplicity and seclusion in our lives.
Dr. Joseph Davidson, a distinguished psychiatrist, dedicated years to studying the Carthusian monks residing at the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration on Mount Equinox. Davidson was captivated by the monks’ focus on simplicity, seclusion, and prayer as their way of life.
Davidson meticulously observed the monks’ daily routine, which consisted of solitary hours of prayer and meditation, manual labor, and communal worship. He was struck by the monks’ unyielding dedication to their faith and austere way of life, devoid of modern amenities and luxuries. As a psychiatrist, Davidson was intrigued by the effects of solitude and contemplation on the human mind. He believed that the monks’ way of life offered valuable insights into the power of faith and the significance of simplicity and seclusion in our lives.
Dr. Davidson’s experiences at the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration inspired him to write several papers and books, which have become highly regarded in the fields of psychology and spirituality. His work with the monks has shed light on the benefits of solitude and contemplation for the human mind and soul.
What an interesting history and that is such a wonderful view. The mountains and forests on the east coast are different than out here. I just loved my time exploring those forests (and coastlines) when I lived and worked out there.
There’s certainly an incredible variety of environments in this nation of ours. That’s one thing Bonnie and I so appreciated while RV’ing. Thanks, Monte.