We set out from our Airbnb in Albany around 9:30 a.m., ready for the drive north to Vermont. The morning was smooth, with one necessary stop along the way to charge the car. By about 12:30 p.m., we rolled into the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT.

The museum turned out to be a fascinating and eclectic stop—really more of a campus than a single building. Spread across dozens of historic structures, each space held its own character and collection. From folk art to historic homes, we found ourselves wandering through layers of American history. The highlight, though, was undoubtedly The Ticonderoga, a restored 220-foot steamship now resting on dry land. Climbing aboard and exploring the decks felt like stepping back in time to the days when she carried passengers across Lake Champlain. We stayed until about 4:30 p.m., and it still felt like we only scratched the surface.

From there, we headed into Burlington for a quick recharge—both for the car and for ourselves. While in town, we made a quirky detour to see the world’s tallest filing cabinet. Standing absurdly tall and stacked with rusting drawers, it was a fun roadside oddity that perfectly contrasted with the stately atmosphere of the museum earlier in the day.

By evening, we were on the road again, winding our way through Vermont’s green hills toward Stowe, where our motel awaited. After settling in, we went out for dinner at a local restaurant. The food was decent enough, but the service left much to be desired. Tired from the day’s adventures, we headed back to the motel to rest up for the days ahead.

It was a long but satisfying day of travel—blending art, history, roadside curiosities, and a first glimpse of Stowe.