| Back in the leather seats of the SUV, I tentatively figured out (mostly) the technology, and by the time I hit Lake George, I had to admit, I loved riding around in the literal seat of luxury. And on a more practical note, it did handle the sloppiness of mud season very safely. My trip’s focus was on tasting, meeting and foraging but still there were a few fun tips I picked up to pass on to you. Creemees, the local term for soft-serve, are trending. But like the fabulous Sonoma-based Straus, the best ones in Vermont rely on top notch ingredients. To that point, Burlington’s Little Gordo is on everyone’s lick list. The Vergennes Laundry is back in business with new owners. It’s upscale and expensive, but the cakes are divine. I’m tough on lemon poppy seed cake, but theirs ticked my poppy-seed infatuated sweet tooth box. But mostly, I was eating with friends so didn’t truly explore the touristic charms of the state. Speaking of which, the ticks were out, both deer and tree. Terrifying. And equally so were the lilacs, just about to burst into bloom—a full three weeks ahead of time. Meanwhile the vines were just budding out and the ramps were in full onslaught. | 
