Quechee, Vermont - August 28, 2008
There are 2,600 bridges in the state of Vermont and none of them see more visitors than this one in Quechee.
"Nobody's ever made a negative comment on the gorge," said Charlotte Harvey, of the Quechee Gorge Visitor's Center.
That's because one of Vermont's most impressive natural wonders lies directly underneath.
"I can see why they call it the Grand Canyon of Vermont, because it's so deep," commented Bev O'Hara, a visitor from New Hampshire. "The beauty of the rocks I'm fascinated by."
An attraction that's bound to make a big splash on every vacation, no matter where you come from.
"We've had five different countries today," Harvey said.
But if the bottom of a 165-foot canyon fails to excite you, you may warm up to this idea-- a hot air balloon ride over Quechee Gorge.
"It's a whole different perspective," said Derrek Daoust, of Balloons of Vermont.
Daoust has been flying over the area for the last eleven years.
"In the past month we've literally flown people from Japan, Brazil, India, France, England," he listed.
Whether you actually fly over the gorge is at the mercy of the wind.
"Very rarely I can drift over the waterfalls and then go right up the side of a covered bridge," Daoust said.
But no matter where you fly, this is a view that's truly hard to beat.
"It always reminds me of a screen saver; soft, rolling hills and you see the trees and sunset in the background. It's just beautiful," Daoust said.
This trip includes an in-flight meal...
"The coveted southwest peanuts," Daoust joked.
...panoramic views, and a one of a kind layover.
"We'll hit the top of a tree like this and it will slow us down just a little bit," Daoust laughed.
After all the souvenirs are fully secured-- it's back to the skies.
But what's truly amazing is how quiet the ride is.
"People describe it as surreal. It doesn't make any sense. You can hear dogs barking below. You can hear people talking on their back porch, and you're literally 1,000 feet up. It's pretty amazing," Daoust said.
Livestock and wildlife have no idea you're around until you'll directly overhead.
It's a ride that seems like a dream...
"Isn't it amazing?" Daoust asked.
A dream you wish would never end.
"The topography, the rivers, the foliage. It's very picturesque. It's just beautiful," Daoust said.
And if you're wondering-- Balloons of Vermont charges $265 a person for their hot air balloon rides. Fall is one of the best times for a flight, but you may also want to consider the winter months when everything below you is covered in snow.
Click here for more information on the Quechee Gorge and on visiting the Quechee area.
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
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