The Mountain of Peace and Joy #SkywatchFriday

I had known about 3,855 ft above sea level Mt. Equinox in southern Vermont for the last four years but we had never visited it.  This year, during a brief visit to Vermont over Labor Day, we decided to do it.

The only way to get up Mt. Equinox is via a privately owned toll road.  I thought the entrance fee was a bit steep (no pun intended) but spouse and I decided to drive to the top, anyway. 

I blogged about approaching the mountain last week.  

It was clouding up fast and I didn't know what we would find at the top.  How about coming along with us?

But first, a little background, much of which we didn't know when we started the drive.

The mountain, some surrounding land, and the toll road is privately owned by the Carthusian order of Roman Catholic monks.  Founded in 1084 C. E. by German born St. Bruno, who died in 1101, these monks live an austere life in silence.  They eat one meatless meal a day (bread and water only on Fridays), wear hair shirts, and spend much of their lives in prayer.  The monastery, needless to say, is not open to the public.

This charterhouse, as they call it, is the only one in North America.

But, as you climb the mountain on the beautifully maintained toll road, there is an overlook where you can see the monastery if your vision is sharp.

Continuing on the road.

But I know you want to get to the top and see if the clouds had closed us in, so let's do it.

But first one more photo, with goldenrod.

Here we are at the top.

We can see for miles and miles!  To be exact, we can see the states of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  On a really clear day, if you are fortunately, you might see into Canada and Montreal's Mt. Royal.

Even more treats await us at the top.  There is a welcome center, a gift from the monks,  named after Saint Bruno.  Here's the sign that welcomes you, wishing you peace and joy.

The trip was worth the toll on the private road.

As for what else awaited us at that building, that is worth its own post. Maybe one day.

Joining Yogi and other skywatching bloggers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.