The ladies decided it was about time we took a little trip before we all went back to school. Airbnb for sure has a lot to offer, but after playing with the filter options, we came to yurts. A yurt is similar to a tent, and they're wicked cheap. This one was out of Vermont, and it came with a kitchen, a good sized bed, a couch, and a fireplace, as well as many amenities that were scattered throughout the property. The description told us that we'd basically be living on this family's farm and we were welcome to learn their peaceful lifestyle. Without thinking, we booked that shit. We packed an overwhelming amount of things for a two-night stay, got in the Mazda, and headed to Randolph, VT.
We pulled up to Symphony Farm and met the host who gave us the grand tour. First things first, Jonathan was an amazing host and he truly cares about the experience that his guests have. We had an additional guest, and he really just hand built a tipi for the extra person to sleep in. He also hand built nearly everything on the property, and he has a lot of knowledge to offer on everything and anything you may encounter.
We settled in, squared away the groceries, and started to indulge in this VT culture. The property was completely clothing optional out back. The diving pool, the sauna, and all of the acreage down to the yurt did not require clothing. It's a piece of freedom that you're obviously not required to experience on the farm, but having the option is comforting.
The living pool was the most gorgeous part of the property. It was a hand-built pool, completely filtered, but it wasn't finished. It felt more like a pond, including the plants that grew and the frogs that lived in it. There was a little waterfall on one end which added the final touch of relaxation to the swim. The view of the mountains was something else, especially at sunset. Whether it was in the pool, in the hammock, or just on the back deck, the view was the best I have soaked in, in a long time.
The listing offered the guests to join in the farm activities. That included lessons in cow milking, gardening, and all things farm. The cows were adorable, and there was a cow path through the middle of the property, letting you get up close and personal while they're on a walk. Jonathan offers fresh milk and eggs for you to purchase and cook with. There were blackberries growing during our visit, and he welcomed us to pick them when we saw them and enjoy them, and that we did.
For dinner the first night, we made good use of the kitchen. People leave some spices and tools behind, and it's fun to incorporate the hand-me-downs. We made a stir-fry, and we left the sauce and some noodles for the next guests. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the simple meal, on the simple farm, for the moment in which life could be that simple.
We took little day trips away from the farm. There's a little town not too far from the property that had some good food and cute stores. We also visited a state park that offered some of the nicest views. We carried a picnic basket to the top of the tourist tower. We made some PB&J sandwiches and enjoyed the 360-degree view of the earth around us. This town offered plenty, and we wish we had at least one more day to give everything that we found a try.
The best part of the trip was the mental getaway. There was no service, no clocks, no mirrors. It was just living and living naturally. The yurt had no electricity, so we made fires for light and our meals stayed pretty simple. But the hours didn't matter, we were just there. I had no reason to keep contact home even if I had the opportunity to. Simple living is the best way to vacation, and I recommend nothing more than for you to give it a try.
