Montpelier, Vermont

After being on the road for seven years, we have finally made our way to New England! For the next 12 weeks we will be exploring the six states that comprise this region (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut), as well as New York State. Our first stop was the tiny but beautiful state of Vermont, and our first order of business was a trip to Montpelier to visit the capitol. Set high upon a knoll, with its distinctive gold leaf dome rising above the dense wooded hillside behind it, the capitol has a stately appearance that catches your eye as soon as you arrive in Montpelier. Nestled in the valley formed by the Winooski and North Branch rivers, Montpelier was chosen as Vermont's capital in 1805. The neighborhood surrounding the capitol building consists of government offices housed in well preserved examples of various 19th century architectural styles. Two fun facts about this Capital: Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the United States (with a population under 9000) and is the only US Capital without a McDonalds. (Glad someone's thinking!)

St. Paul, Minnesota

St. Paul, Minnesota is the 41st State Capital we've been lucky enough to visit. The capitol building itself was undergoing some sort of construction work the day we toured (on the outside only), but not enough to detract from enjoying the classically styled building that boasts 23 different types of stone and marble from around the world including Minnesotan granite and limestone. Set near the crest of a hill, one is treated to sweeping views of downtown St. Paul, including the breathtaking sight of The Cathedral of St. Paul. At the base of the dome is a quadriga statuary (a chariot drawn by four horses abreast) of copper and steel covered in gold leaf called Progress of the State. The four horses represent the classical elements of earth, air, fire, and water. There are two women in the arrangement representing industry and agriculture, while the male charioteer represents prosperity; collectively they represent civilization. The inside is very ornate with many styles of staircases, majestic columns, and panoramic paintings spreading across high arched ceilings. The legislature was in session during our visit, so we weren't able to visit some of the areas we normally do; however, here are some pictures from what we were able to get to during our tour.

Bismarck, North Dakota

After leaving Des Moines, we backtracked a little before continuing our journey east to make a stop in Bismarck, North Dakota. Not being quite sure when or why we would be back in this area, we made an "on purpose" detour to stay a couple of days and visit the state capital. The Capitol Building in Bismarck is unusual, in that it is one of just a handful of State Buildings built as a skyscraper, rather than the traditional dome construction. Due to financial constraints in the 1930's (this being the second capital building for the state), builders sought a style that would be efficient in both space and operation. With an unassuming appearance from the outside, the simplicity of the Art Deco styling allows one to appreciate the little details: clean lines, open spaces, streamlined curving, and an abundance of natural materials. The interior walls and floors throughout the complex include Indiana limestone, Yellowstone Travertine marble, Wisconsin black granite, and a variety of rich woods like walnut, rosewood, East Indian Laurel, American chestnut, English oak, curly maple, and teak. Dan and I opted for the guided tour for a change (normally we take the self guided approach) and it turns out we were the only two in the group. We were given a personalized stroll through the building with our guide pointing out subtleties of design, history, and detail we would otherwise have missed. In the elevator on our way up to the 18th floor to see the panoramic view of Bismarck, we were introduced to Governor Jack Dalrymple, certainly not an everyday experience in most of our capitol visits!