This trip will leave the convention site and head south on I-89 , going down the eastern side of the Green Mountain Range for a scenic 45 min. ride to the town of Barre, the heart of the granite industry in Vermont.  Along the way you will see some beautiful road cuts that expose the local geology.

Once in Barre, we will be visiting the Rock of Ages Granite Quarries.  These or some of the oldest operating quarries in the country and are still producing some of the finest granite in the world.   These quarries are also known for the largest production of dimensional block. Chances are you’ve been in a building made with Barre granite. After a tour of the quarries, you will then get to sandblast your own piece of granite to take home.

After the quarries a stop at the new Barre Granite museum. This museum talks about the immigrants (like my grandfather) that came to this country to quarry and carve the stone. This leads us to the next stop, The Hope Cemetery.  We the stonecutters came from Europe; they brought their skills as artistic carvers.  In the cemetery is some of the finest hand carved granite you’ll see. Everything from ornate benches to larger than life angels, I guarantee you’ll be using your camera.  A lot of the older carving was done by hand before air tools were being used.

As for lunch, a stop is planned for at a local place that has been a staple in the area for over 50 years, with something on the menu to please everyone.