I’ve dreamed of visiting Stowe, Vermont for years and years. I’m a huge “Sound of Music” believer. I mean it’s got everything–rebellious nuns, half-crazed children, romance, a gorgeous setting, Nazis and crisp apple strudel! What more could a girl want?

We arrived on my birthday (Danny gets a gold star) and proceeded to wander the grounds and gift shop while waiting for our tour to begin. The tour itself was more of a lecture but the guide was an incredible story teller and I learned so much! Plus I got to visit Maria’s grave in the family cemetery behind the home itself. We watched a BBC documentary about the family and heard interviews with Maria and even got to see her reunited with her nun friends back in Salzburg. I was one happy girl, let me tell you. It was also a bit emotional for me. Made me miss my mom and baby sister because my earliest memories of the musical and all things Von Trapp involve those two!

This family will forever represent to me independence and sheer courage. I am moved by their story every, single time and now probably will be even more so due to this experience. I highly recommend it.

Here are a few highlights…

Oh! PS, The American flags in the above photos are beside the graves of the two Von Trapp sons, both of whom returned to Europe as American soldiers. They helped liberate…Austria. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.