Vermont – the last state on the entire east coast I have not been to, stopped in, had a meal, worked in, slept in. The circumstances that set this one up probably will not recur, so I knew I had to take advantage. I arrived on a Monday set to work on Tuesday about 30 min north. My colleague picked me up and off we went. With nary a record in sight to my knowledge in St. Albans, I knew my best bet (only bet) would be Wednesday morning before I got back on my flight. I took a bus early Wednesday morning south to Burlington and rode around on a bike share for a while, killing time until one of the handful of record stores opened.
After coffee and a scone, I walked over to the shop. I was a bit early so I lollygagged around until 11am for the doors to be unlocked. I was beginning to toe the line on how much time would be required to get back to the airport and get through security. I wondered about everyone I saw – was this the owner? But alas they would walk on by. Finally the proprietor did arrive and I jolted through the doors, the day’s first customer.
I have to admit, I didn’t give this place a good look over, I had cut it too close so I probably wasn’t in the store for more than 10 minutes. I gave the jazz section a once over but that was about it. I will say it was a well organized space and clearly popular because even in that 10 minutes a number of other potential clients had already arrived and got to digging themselves. This was such a cool, fun area I long to return to drink more coffee, ride more bikes and dig yet again in a state so unique and full of joy (at least in my personal memories) that it will be a special time to recount forever.
STATE #35 – COMPLETED!
