80-year-old baker drives 60 miles daily from his Vermont forest home

George Peak, 80, covers approximately 60 miles a day to deliver pastries from his home in Walden, Vermont. He drives from his property, which sits up a long dirt road surrounded by state forest, to supply 10 stores in northern Vermont.

The couple, married for 30 years, operates Top of the Mountain Farm and Bakery out of a converted barn. Two years ago, Willette, 69, outgrew her home kitchen. The structure was originally built to house Peak’s tractor before it was repurposed for baking.

The bakery gained traction quickly after moving to the barn. "It just took off," Willette said. On weekends, the facility doubles as a diner for snowmobilers using a trail located just feet from the building. A popular item is a whoopie pie made with local maple syrup.

Peak handles the driving for the deliveries. Willette noted that he takes a nap after his lunch break. "He’s holding up pretty good. Yeah, he does well," she said.

Friends have questioned the couple’s decision to work in retirement. "It’s crazy," Willette recalled a friend saying. "What are you doing, you’re retired. Why don’t you just enjoy yourself?" Willette replied that she is enjoying herself. Peak added that they do not have time to argue, to which Willette responded, "But I’m always right, so there’s no arguing."

Peak said the rural setting suits them. "People say we’re crazy for being way up here, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else," he said.