Laura Bush makes rare appearance in Vermont

This may be as close as Vermont gets to having President Bush make an appearance — his wife has stopped by for a visit.

First lady Laura Bush visited Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park to announce a $50,000 trails grant and to go hiking with old friends from Texas. She chatted with young campers planting ferns along a carriage trail Monday before speaking at an invitation-only event.

Vermont is the only state that President Bush hasn't visited during his more than seven years in office. Laura Bush has been there twice, campaigning for a congressional candidate two years ago.

In March, two Vermont towns passed measures calling for the indictment of the president and Vice President Dick Cheney.