Seven months before my 80th birthday I need to bike in 12 towns, nearly all in Southern Vermont, to complete the quest. I just finished a two day trip in which I biked in 9 towns, thanks to some fancy route planning involving driving between areas and an overnight motel stay in Londonderry. Some towns (like Chester) seem to be doing OK, but I saw a LOT of  abandoned businesses, motels and restaurants. The Green Mountains are absolutely gorgeous!