Short day over the Middlebury Gap to Marc's in Tunbridge. Great ride! Felt great on the hills. We first stopped at Marc's workplace where he assists Robin Mix a local glass blower. Watching the two of them work together is like watching a beautifully choreographed silent dance. The studio is an amazing old brick farmhouse that has been gutted and rebuilt as one large room with high ceilings and the glass ovens blazing. When we arrived, they were working on a set of vases for Tiffany's.

While we were waiting at Robin's studio, Steve and his brother Ted popped in on their way back to NJ from Burlington, VT, where Ted is moving. When we adjourned to Marc's house in Tunbridge, Steve and Ted stayed for the lamb chop / lamb sausage feast that the Barreda's cooked for dinner. After some ice cream to finish the meal, we went to tour Marc's handbuilt studio where he lives and works on his art.

The day began with some intense climbing over the Middlebury gap. It was slow and intense grinding on the 12% + grades. Our directions to Marc's workplace right off of the road were to "look for the flaming glory hole in a brick building" It's like God speaking to Moses in a bad B movie porn. But winding our way towards Tunbridge we did indeed spot the burning hole.

Watching the glass making process was a wonderful education in heat tolerance. The movements of the two artists were very pliable yet controlling. At one point a familiar green mini van pulls up to unload Steve and Ted on their way back from Burlington. Steve, the ever considerate friend, had brought along his massage table to treat us both to some soothing body work while nestled in the beautiful verdant Green Mountains of Vermont.