BEYOND THE BUBBLE

Author: CLAIRE NIELSON AND LISIE MEHLMAN

The last time Markandbar came into town, there was a lot of antiquing and a lot of separation anxiety between Claire and Lisie. This time, there was less antiquing and more separation anxiety. When the Mehlman parental unit arrived in town, we jetted off to explore greater Vermont. I guess we know where Lisie gets her overwhelming, and, slightly annoying, desire to find "adventure."

It was off to Quechee, Vt. The town of Quechee was a nice backdrop to Mehlman troupe reunion chatter. There was lots to talk about - Caseroon the Macaroon's latest trip to the vet, the status of the Bulls as a play-offs hopeful and the siblings, Davandjen. It remains to be seen how they will respond to the dehumanizing blending of their names. (On a sidenote, Claire and Lisie want to extend their congratulations to TomKat for the birth of their new daughter. We also extend our sympathies to the poor newborn for having Tom Cruise as a father. Silent birth? Really?) Quechee, with its mountains and streams galore, was not a surprising home to what the guide book called "the Grand Canyon of Vermont." Granted, we Mehlmans have never seen the Grand Canyon (although Lisie has made several futile roadtrip plans to visit the site. Her geographic knowledge has failed her, and, apparently, Jackson Hole and the Grand Canyon are not "an afternoon's drive apart."), but, we do actually know what a ravine looks like.

This "famed" Quechee Gorge was the saddest excuse for a tourist attraction. Markandbar were very proud of their little quip that this was, in fact, the 143rd wonder of the world. Despite her mocking of the sad, sad little gorge, Bar was, shockingly, too paralyzed by her fear of heights to even step foot on the bridge to take a real gander at it. She made Mark and Lisie take a picture of it and was willing, only, to admire the gorge from the wonder that is a digitial camera.

After taking a long hard look at the ravine/ditch, we moved on to a glass blowing factory and store, perhaps the pride and joy of Quechee. The factory, with studly glass blowing hunks a la the southern glass blowing gent of Sweet Home Alabama (Claire now has an additional movie that, on a good day, if you quote it she will know what you are referring to. Although she is ever loyal to Serendipity.), was beautiful, although glass is glass and Lisie was puzzled by Markandbar's need to spend over an hour examining it.

An exploration of what the guide book called "an American treasure" - the town of Woodstock, Vermont, followed. Woodstock was "darling" according to Bar and boasted many cutesy art galleries and bookstores. Our inn in Woodstock was playing Cheaper by the Dozen 2 for our viewing pleasure, and Lisie wishes she could convey just how much Markandbar laughed at this flick. Lisie would like to be clear, though, in saying that she found the movie to be a work of cinematic genius. It figures, Bonnie Hunt is a Chicagoan. True Chicagoans that they are, Markandbar were a little creeped out by Woodstock and its perfectly maintained New England charm. Although sad to leave their little Lou Lou, Markandbar returned to the 'burbs. Next time they are in this neck of the woods it will be to celebrate Lisie's graduation. This will be the last time, ever, that the word "graduation" is mentioned in our column, as, although it is not for another year, Claire is already sick of Lisie's violent reaction (i.e. hysteria) to any passing reference to life post-Midd.