hello old friend, it's really good to see you once again

So...it's fall, summer is over, and I feel like writing. My life has been busier than ever and I'm not sure I will be able to write each and every day, but I miss it so and want to start this thing up again. Here we go, and boy do I have a lot to say, but for now I am just going to wish you a happy fall and hope you find time to pick apples, eat cider donuts, and carve a pumpkin. I was able to do the first two things in that list this past weekend during a visit to Vermont and loved every minute of it. I wish every weekend could be last weekend and I wish New Jersey could be Vermont. I was lucky enough to get a hike in as well, which is where all of this excitement and life is coming from. I feel like I have been recharged and am ready for the colder months to settle in upon us. I'm back...at least for now. 

back to back travel plans with opposite weather

The miles and elevations of Lincoln Gap Road. The
Warren approach is left. The Lincoln approach is right.

We returned home last Monday from Florida and left again last Wednesday for Vermont. In other words, we went from seventy degrees to "feels like" negative double digits. I can't complain though because Vermont only felt that cold for a few short instances on our entire trip. In addition, having five full days with friends we get to see once a year (sometimes less) is nothing to whine about. Eleven of us shared a home we rented in Warren, Vermont. The home was more of a gigantic cabin than a house and was designed by the famous architect David Sellers. Not only does David design homes, he also designed Lincoln Lodge at Sugarbush and the Mad River Rocket - a sled he created. 

Our five days in winter paradise consisted of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sledding. A small group of us even drove north up to Burlington, so we could enjoy a Penny Cluse breakfast and a quick grocery run at City Market. The same group even made time for a hot buttered rum in front of the fireplace at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. The best part of the entire weekend (for me) was the sledding. I read about a guide service that drives you to Lincoln Gap Road - a road that is closed all snow season because of how much snow it receives. The grade is very steep (6%), making it impossible to keep clear and safe all winter, so the town shuts it down around the 2.7 mile marker (approaching from the Warren side, not Lincoln). We parked our car where the plowing ended and embarked on the mile plus hike straight to the top, gaining about one thousand feet in elevation. Then, we hopped on our sleds and sped down. We joked about going thirty to fifty miles per hour, and although I don't truly believe we were going that fast, there were times when we were flying. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done. If you are in the area, make the trip and just keep walking up. Although it is steep, it is only a mile and you will get there sooner or later. The guide service charged fifty five dollars to provide a ride and a sled, but we did it all for free and had the time of our lives - a few of us brought our own sleds and conveniently enough, the homeowner had a few Mad River Rockets ready for our use at the cabin.

a 12-pack of beer in my teeth

not my photo

I always keep a running list of blog topics (yes, even during my hiatus) and this was something that caught my eye in December. Although I don't live there anymore, I still feel very connected to Vermont. When time allows, I go online and read Seven Days - an alternative weekly newspaper distributed every Wednesday throughout the state.

This particular article caught my eye because the owner of the teepee lived directly across from where I used to work, at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. I have actually met this very interesting man in person. I went over to talk about noise and curfews because in addition to a conservation corps, they also rent out their beautiful barn spaces to the public, and believe it or not I was in the event business for a few years. We touched upon the topics on my agenda, but you better believe we also talked about his camel named Otis (yes, he owns a camel), his fainting goat, and his teepee/zip line. The best line from the article in my opinion is "I've taken that zip line with a 12-pack of beer in my teeth" - such a remarkable thing to say when being interviewed by a newspaper. Click here for the article.