Vermont Travel Notes

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Make Holiday Dinner Reservations Now
2007-12-24 18:01:00
The week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest of the year here. With all the snow we have had already this year, the out-of-state skiers are fired up about getting their season off to a good start with several days off from work and plenty of snow on all the Vermont ski trails. Right now is a good time to plan ahead and get dinner reservations in order to beat the crowd and avoid long waits or having to call around to even find a restaurant with an opening. Naturally, it's easier to find an opening early or late evening, so you may have to be flexible in your plans. Call or email your innkeeper or look online to find restaurants. Any good innkeeper will be able to tell you the best restaurants in the area that will fit your needs. Or, if you like to do some shopping for restaurants on your own, do a online search for the regional chamber of commerce website for the area in which you will be staying. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Advice , Holiday , Dinner , Reservations , Make

How to Prevent Lost and Broken Luggage
2007-12-23 04:50:00
"ngader" posted this luggage wheel photo on Flicker with this tip in the caption: " Rule of thumb : When buying luggage, check the wheels. Try not to buy wheels with rubber bits. Buy the full fibre / hard plastic wheels." Yesterday, I received an email alert from Squidoo about a blog on how to prevent lost luggage. The writer, Victoria Neely, once worked for an airline as a baggage agent so she knows what she is writing about. With all the things she has seen go wrong with luggage, she says she is "frankly amazed that most checked bags return to their owners unscathed!" Even if your bag is not lost (and there is a six in one thousand chance it will be), it's likely to get broken or dirty at some time or another. You can't make it impossible for something to go wrong but there are a number of things you can do to improve your bag's chances of greeting you in good shape at the other end of your mutual journey.There are a lot of useful tips in this article along with some intere...
More About: Lost , Advice , Luggage , Broken

Free Lessons at Leading Vermont Ski Areas
2007-12-22 23:24:00
The Vermont Ski Areas Association is sponsoring a learn-for-free program January 5 -13, 2008. This is a heck of a good deal. The lessons can be for either skiing or snowboarding, and include lift ticket and equipment rental at no cost whatsoever. They are calling it the "Ski Vermont New Year’s Resolution" program. It is geared toward first time skiers and snowboarders ages six and older. The participating resorts are the best in the state: Ascutney, Bolton, Bromley, Burke, Jay Peak, Killington, Mad River Glen, Magic, Middlebury, Mount Snow, Okemo, Pico, Smuggs, Stratton, Sugarbush, and Suicide Six. To see where these resorts are located, go to the VT Ski Areas Association map page. Spaces are limited so I suggest you register right away. You can do so on the VT Ski Areas Association website page Learn for Free page. Don't put this off. It's such a great deal that spaces will fill quickly. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Advice , Lessons , Leading

Snow Depth Up to Four Feet at Stowe
2007-11-25 17:14:00
Stowe's first rail jam of the season, November 24. Vermont skiing is off to a good start this year with plenty of snow. For example, at Stowe, the snow-making trails have 1.5 to 4 feet of base built up so far. Stowe has received about a foot of natural snow the past week and a total of nearly three feet this season. You can get details on the Stowe Snow Report page of the resort's website. Things are looking good for the big kick off week between Christmas and New Years. Now is a good time to make reservations. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Advice , Feet , Depth

Airline Travel Tip: Use FAA Rule 240 If Your Flight Is Cancelled
2007-11-25 03:37:00
Peter Greenberg's website is full of useful travel information. Here is some ammunition to use with the airlines if your fight is canceled. It involves a little-known FAA rule that requires the airline to book you on the next available flight whether it is their flight or another airline. It's called Rule 240 and it's a good thing to remember when you are dealing with an airline front desk person or supervisor. However, like most things in life, there are exceptions. You can read more details about it at the Peter Greenberg website.
More About: Advice , Travel , Flight , Airline

Most Influential Travel Blogs
2007-11-25 03:19:00
People who write blogs are also people who read blogs. Chris Elliott writes one of the best and he recently posted a blog entry of what he considers the "Seven Most Influential Bloggers of 2007" that he has been reading. I am familiar with most of these blogs but a few are new to me. I guess they are "influential" but to me they're mainly interesting and informative blogs I enjoy reading. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor
More About: Travel , General , Blogs

Another Travel Shopping Site
2007-11-25 02:28:00
" 22" Flash Trolley" by Titan Luggage of Germany . . . Made with 100% polycarbonate . . . extremely lightweight and scratch-resistant, with sturdy ergonomic telescopic handles and protected exterior zippers . . . fully lined and padded . . . removable garment and toiletry cases . . . TSA approved combination lock and 4 swivel wheels" It's $475! but it will probably survive 20 years of airline abuse so that's just $24 per year: on the Luggage section of Flight 001. Flight 001 is a website with travel related products including "luggage, carry-on, tech-to-go, packing aids, groom bags, essentials, travel i.d., wallets, jet comfort, meal service, aerotherapy, time travel, gadgets, entertainment, books, and airtunes."I found myself spending a lot of time just looking around this website and learning about all the different products I didn't know were available. If someone asks you what you want for the holidays, have this website bookmarked for them. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunber...
More About: Shopping , Advice , Travel , Site

Where to Buy Travel Gear
2007-11-25 02:12:00
I was recently looking for travel bags and came across a site you might be interested in too. It's called Trusty Pony for no reason that I see but it has a lot of "cool stuff for travelers" as it claims. You can find helpful items under categories such as Air, Family, Fancy, Gadgety, Girly, International, Outdoorsy, Road Trip, Sporty, Urban, Warm-weather, Luggage & Bags, Body, Books & Guides, and Gifts. There are countless worthwhile and clever items that you can use even when you are not traveling. Give it a look - you'll probably see something of use to you or someone you know (think holiday shopping). (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Shopping , Advice , Travel , Gear

Reminder: Make Your Holiday Reservations Now
2007-11-19 03:26:00
Snowshoeing is easy to do and can get you into some back country that you would not ordinarily be able to see.The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is one of the busiest of the year for Vermont tourism. It is considered the kick-off week for the ski season even though there has been skiing on some trails since mid November. Skiers usually account for about half our business that week and I assume the same is true of other lodging establishments except those right at the ski resorts. Whether you want to ski or not, right now is the time to make travel plans and get lodging reservations made. By the way, you will find many inns have a two or three night minimum that time of year because it is such a busy time and they can't turn over rooms fast enough if they have a lot of one night reservations. You may find some exceptions and perhaps a last minute, fill-in type availability if you can only stay one night. A good place to start a search for Vermont lodging is at the state...
More About: Advice , Holiday , Reservations , Make , Reminder

Vt Ski Areas at the Boston Snow Expo This Weekend
2007-11-15 14:34:00
Representatives from many of the Vermont ski areas will be at the Boston Snow Expo this Thurs - Sun. The Expo is being held at the Bayside Expo Center on Mount Vernon Street. There will be many special offers, drawings, free gifts, contests and special promotions. The Expo draws a lot of people because it has an equipment sale at pre-season discounts. The link above will take you to a PDF page that lists all the resorts and vendors who will be at the Expo.Adult admission is $10 but there are $3 discount coupons available if you submit your email address at the Onthesnow.com website.If you have young children, you can introduce them to skiing at a gentle practice ramp that will be set up specifically for that purpose. And there will an artificial ice rink too. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor
More About: Events , Weekend

Stowe and Okemo Opening Too
2007-11-15 14:29:00
Stowe and Okemo are jumping on the early opening bandwagon along with Mount Snow and Sugarbush. Stowe has had 6" to 12" of natural snow at the highest elevations plus they have been making snow for a couple of weeks. They will open Saturday and Okemo opens Friday. I have not checked all the ski areas in Vermont so there may be some others opening also. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: General , Opening

Sugarbush Open This Saturday
2007-11-14 17:20:00
Nov 11 photo by Sugarbush President Win Smith . . . "Hmmm - I wonder if we could open early this year." Sugarbush is officially opening on Thanksgiving Day but snow conditions there are so good now that president Win Smith decided to have a sneak preview this coming Saturday . You can see photos from his recent hike up the mountain when he began thinking about an early opening. Two lifts and four trails will most likely be open. Lift tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for juniors. The resort will then be closed until Thursday so it's Saturday or wait until Thanksgiving to get your first runs in this season. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: General , Open

12 Digital Photo Tips From Vagabondish Blog
2007-11-14 05:07:00
I enjoy skimming the Vagabondish web magazine from time to time. Today I read a helpful article there on clever ideas for using a digital camera in your travels. For instance, it recommends writing a reward poster in case you ever lose the camera. Write your email address and a reward amount on a piece of paper. Be careful on that - you don't know who will find your camera. So don't write your name, address, and phone. Use only an email address as the article recommends, and use one that does not contain your full name. Take a photo of the poster and lock the file so it does not get erased. If someone finds your camera, all they have to do is look at the stored photos and they'll see your contact information and reward. That greatly increases the chances of your getting the camera back.Another good use for a digital camera is to take a photo of local maps so you can refer to them in your travels. The article uses the example of a subway map. I think you will enjoy reading the o...
More About: Photo , Advice , Tips , Blog , Digital

Mount Snow Open for Skiing and Snowboarding
2007-11-14 04:07:00
Mount Snow , located in southern Vermont mid-way between Brattleboro and Bennington, spent all summer and $6 million on upgrades including 101 new, state-of-the-art fan guns (see their Oct 10 video for details) I was surprised to see that Mount Snow resort opened last weekend. Usually Killington likes to lay claim to having the longest season in Vermont by opening early and not closing until late May or early June. Let's make a note to check the Killington website in June to see what they are doing to keep their record intact. I predict they will be trucking in Zamboni shavings from indoor ice skating rinks throughout New England. Mount Snow says on their website that this is their earliest opening since 1998. And they did not open just one token trail. They had 11 of them operating, plus four lifts. You can see video of last weekend's first day on the video page of their website. By the way, the Ski Magazine reader survey I discussed in yesterday's blog entry, ra...
More About: General , Open , Snowboarding , Skiing

Vermont Has Five of the Top Ten Eastern Ski Resorts
2007-11-13 03:22:00
The new lodge and heated outdoor pool at Sugarbush - photo courtesy of SKI MagazineThe longest running and most respected ranking of ski resorts in North America is published each year by SKI Magazine. . It has an independent research company survey its readers to rank ski resorts on 18 criteria: "Overall Satisfaction, Access, Après Ski, Dining, Family Programs, Grooming, Lifts, Lodging, Off-Hill Activities, On-Mountain Food, Scenery, Service, Snow, Terrain/Challenge, Terrain/Variety, Terrain Parks, Value and Weather." This year, 7,000 readers took part in the survey. These are active skiers who put in an average of 23 days a year on the slopes.According to those readers, the top 10 alpine ski areas in the East are:1. Tremblant, Que.2. Smugglers Notch, VT3. Whiteface, NY4. Stowe, VT5. Holiday Valley, NY6. Sugarloaf, Maine7. Sugarbush, VT8. Killington, VT9. Bretton Woods, NH10. Okemo, VTThe best single source of information on Vermont ski areas is at the Vermont Ski Areas Associat...
More About: General , Resorts , Eastern , Ski Resorts

Vermont Transitions from Fall to Winter
2007-11-11 03:09:00
I'll make you a deal. If you spend a few hundred dollars to travel to Vermont , in exchange we will give you million dollar views that will return your investment many times over. Here in northern Vermont, we are moving quickly from fall into winter as this photo illustrates magnificently. It was taken yesterday afternoon from the Burlington area looking east toward Mount Mansfield. This is all natural snow and on the other side of the mountain, Stowe ski resort has been busy the last couple of weeks making even more snow to build a deep base for the skiers and snowboarders. The resort opens its trails November 21. That bump on the right side of the mountain ridge line is known as the "nose" and the larger lump on the left side is the "chin." This photo is from "Hugho" who posts a photo every day on his Megapickles photoblog. There is a link to the blog in the left column of this Vermont Travel News blog too. You should go to his blog to see the full size version of this photo. I a...
More About: Nature , Winter , Transitions , Fall

Vermont Hand Crafters Show Nov 15 - 18
2007-11-09 05:24:00
Vermont Hand Crafters was formed in 1955 and now has 200 members, most of whom will be at the group's annual show Thursday through Sunday, November 11 - 18. Some 150 crafters will be on hand with samples of their work for sale. They include items such as paintings, fiber art, fine art, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, photography, pottery, stone, toys and figurines, and wood. The event will be at the Sheraton Conference Center, located at exit 14 W from Interstate 89 in South Burlington. This show was named by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as one of the Top Ten Events held each year. Admission is $7.00 for all four days ($4 for Sunday only admission) but there is an online discount coupon available on the Vermont Hand Crafters website. (c) 2007 (except the show logo above which is copyright by Vermont Hand Crafters, Inc.) Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Show , Vermont , Mont

Cheese Making Classes
2007-11-08 03:48:00
Vermont is a mecca for cheese lovers and there is even one farm where you can take cheese making classes. Lazy Lady Farm in Westfield Vermont is a small dairy farm with about 25 alpine goats they call "lazy ladies." The farm holds cheese making classes during the winter. "The classes are for the curious and for the future cheese makers." To get more information and schedule a class, call Laini Fondiller at 802-744-6365 or laini@sover.net.To learn more about cheese makers in Vermont, visit the Vermont Cheese Council website. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Advice , Classes

It's Snowing in Vermont
2007-11-07 01:48:00
Jay Peak has a 25-year, month-by-month snowfall table on its website Last night we had rain at our place but the mountaintops received a dusting of snow that looked nice when the sun came out today. This is the second or third snowfall at the upper elevations this year and it will melt soon most likely. The same thing happens every year and it serves as a reminder that the big stuff is on the way. We don't have much time left to clean out the gutters and get the snow tires on. Stowe and Sugarbush have both been making snow for a week or so, and both plan to open in a couple of weeks. Somewhere below I mentioned that Jay Peak averages about 350 inches of snow per year. That number is close enough to their 20 year average of 366 inches but actually for the last ten years, Jay has averaged 385 inches per year. The resort has a Historical Snowfall Totals page on its website that makes for some interesting reading. Last year got off to a bit of a slow start but Feb and Mar made up for...
More About: General , Vermont , Mont

New Long Trail Map Published by the Green Mountain Club
2007-11-05 05:55:00
We're lucky to have the Green Mountain Club offices just a few minutes drive from our inn ( (map here). It is the single best source of information about hiking in Vermont. The club is best known for being the organization that maintains Vermont's Long Trail, the only trail that spans the length of the state from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border. The club has just issued its latest version of the Long Trail Map. You can order on the club's website which also has hiking books. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Published

Here is Something Different To Do: Green Mountain Alpaca Show
2007-11-02 02:44:00
Travel to Vermont and you will see the dairy farms that are a large part of the state's image. But from time to time you'll see other animals too, some of them exotic breeds you would not expect. There are a goodly number of sheep and goat farms now (mainly to support all the small cheese producers here), exotic bovines such as Scottish Highlander Cows that look like Musk-Ox cousins (there are usually some out at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe), buffalo and elk (they're being raised for restaurant consumption), miniature horses and donkeys, and I even know of a camel (it's on Route 2 a little south of Richmond VT, on the west side of the road). I know of several places with Llamas and Alpacas but I did not know there were so many of them until I read the list of Alpaca farms in VT on the Sponsors page on the Northeast Alpaca Association's Fall Spectacular website. The public is invited to the show being held at the Champlain Valley Expo this weekend, November 2, 3 and 4, 2007. Ab...
More About: Events , Show , Green , Mountain , Mount

TheStreet.com Recommends Vermont's Jay Peak For Uncrowded Skiing
2007-10-27 20:18:00
TheStreet.com is an stock market investing website run by Jim Cramer, whom you may have seen on CNBC's Mad Money television show. One of the columnists on that website, Mike Woelflein, recently wrote an article entitled Avoid Lift Lines and Ski More This Season on where to find the best uncrowded ski areas around the country. The first place he mentions is Jay Peak , located in Jay, Vermont. Jay Peak is located in northernmost Vermont, a few miles from the Canadian border. It is known for getting the most snowfall of all the Vermont ski areas, averaging about 350 inches per year. It's very popular with Quebec skiers because it is only about an hours drive from Mont real. From Boston, it is about a 4.5 hour drive. At our inn, we don't get too many skiers going there because it is about an hour's drive and we are close to Stowe, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen and Bolton Valley. However, the guests who do spend a day at Jay invariably come back with great compliments about the exp...
More About: Advice , Skiing

Spooky Beer from Magic Hat
2007-10-26 06:54:00
The folks at Magic Hat Brewing are known for being, shall we say, a little off beam but they make a high quality product, have fun doing it, and contribute generously to charities. They produce special runs from time to time and here is their Halloween seasonal offering: The beer is great plus you get a distinctive box you can use to store your Halloween decorations. They have a factory tour, tastings, and souvenir shop at their South Burlington factory. (c) Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Vermont Inn
More About: Beer , Spooky

World's Largest Halloween Jack-o-lantern Pumpkin Carving Display
2007-10-26 05:12:00
freefoto.com This Saturday, October 27, Bennington VT is determined to win the Guinness World Record for the most jack-o-lanterns on display in one place. The current record is held by nearby Keene NH which set the record in 2003 with 28,952 officially counted. Who says Americans don't have enough leisure time? There will also be a Main Street parade at 4:00. Seeing that many jack-o-lanterns will probably be an impressive sight so don't forget your camera. Bennington is a nice town to visit with many architecturally and historically significant buildings. I recommend you take the walking tour around the Old First Church and cemetery on the west side of town. There is a very good quality Welcome Center in an old brick blacksmith's shop at the Corner of Route 7 and Elm Street where you can pick up literature on things to see. For some reason, it is closed on Sundays - when most visitors would be coming into town. The Bennington website has a listing of local attractions. ...
More About: Events , Display , Pumpkin , Jack , Halloween

Jeff Foxworthy on Vermont
2007-10-24 20:16:00
Bartonsville VT covered bridge courtesy of Freefoto.com - - chosen for this blog entry just because I like covered bridges and it looks "Vermont y" This landed in my email inbox from a friend who was forwarding it after it had been forwarded to him. I don't know if Jeff Foxworthy actually wrote this or if it is from someone who is imitating him, but it's worth a couple of chuckles. By the way, up here country folks are not called Rednecks. They're "Woodchucks." Here you go: "Forget Rednecks . . . here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Vermonters. . . "If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you live in Vermont."If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Vermont."If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Vermont."If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you live in Vermont."If "Vacation" means going anywhere south of New York City...
More About: General , Wort , Mont

Airfare Refunds and Discounts
2007-10-24 04:28:00
I did some research about airlines refunding the difference between the price paid for a ticket and the difference if the airline later drops the price on that flight. (See my October 17 entry about Yapta.com.)Turns out that this is not consistent among airlines. Some do it and others don't. And some, such as Delta and American, will charge you a fee just as they would if you were to change your ticket. That charge is usually $100 on domestic flights and about double or triple that on overseas flights. There are exceptions: Northwest charges $25 while United, US Airways, and JetBlue don't charge. Many times you won't get your money refunded in cash but as a voucher for future use. I did not see any information on how long these vouchers last and no doubt that varies from airline to airline and from time to time. NOTE: don't believe everything you see in this article. What I have written here is what I found on the internet and none of it is from the airlines' own websites. I ...
More About: Advice , Discounts , Airfare , Fare

Peak Foliage is Over Up North But Still Available South and West VT
2007-10-24 03:43:00
The last two days were beautiful with warm temperatures and clear skies. Today was the opposite with rain and wind all day long. Yesterday we still had a lot of colorful leaves on the trees in north central VT except along the high ridge lines. Today many of those leaves got knocked off. However, I made a trip to Burlington this afternoon and, while the spectacular scenery is gone, there still many spots of bright yellow, gold and orange on the hillsides. This has been the best and longest lasting fall foliage season we have seen in the seven years we have lived in Vermont. I've never seen so many red trees as I did this year. One of our guests drove up to Lake Willoughby a couple of weeks ago and was still stunned and shaking his head the next day as he told us about a huge mountainside that was mostly red. He had never seen anything like it and could not even imagine such a thing if he had not seen it himself. There will be areas of southern Vermont that are at peak now, especia...
More About: Advice , North , West , South , Peak

Travel Bag Will Get You Through Airport Security Faster
2007-10-22 05:03:00
Leave the sandwich bags for sandwiches - this is a true leak-less solution. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airplane carry-on regulations on liquids, gels, and aerosols mandate that carry-on bags are limited to a maximum of three ounce liquid containers, that they be in a clear bag of a maximum of one quart capacity, and a limit of one bag per person. It's known simply as the 3-1-1 rule. Here is a practical solution from a company called 3-1-1 Travel Bag The Clear Bag System Original, $24.95: Four (4) medium (1.0 oz) pumps One (1) mini (.50 oz) pumpThe Clear Bag System Fashion, $34.95: Two (2) large (1.75 oz) pumps Two (2) medium pumps Two (2) mini pumpsThe Clear Bag System Fashion Elite, $44.95: One (1) large pump Two (2) medium pumps Two (2) mini pumps Two (2) small (.50 oz) jars All the containers are reusable and additional jars and pumps are available in an assortment of sizes starting at $4.00. The 6-X-8-inch clear cases meet the TSA carry-on regulation...
More About: Advice , Airport , Aster

Annual VT Craftworkers Show Oct 26 - 28
2007-10-21 05:34:00
Vermont Craftworkers website The 27th annual Essex Fall Craft and Fine Art Show will be held three days, Friday through Sunday, October 26 - 28 at the Champlain Valley Expo center in Essex Junction, Vermont. This event has some 400 exhibitors and is ranked as one of the top shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. There will be artisans displaying "hand blown and stained glass, fine scents and herbal soaps, forged iron, garden accents, original oils and watercolors, weather vanes, candles, pottery, music, leather and sheepskin, calligraphy, note cards, furniture, jewelry, baskets, florals, and gourmet specialties such as dips, sauces, vinegars, and sweet treats. "There is a one dollar discount coupon available on the show's website. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Events , Worker , Annual

Signature Chefs Event on Monday Oct 22
2007-10-20 22:25:00
This Monday evening, the Green Mountain Signature Chefs Event will be held at Stowe Mountain Resort to benefit the March of Dimes. Tickets are $75 per person. There will be a benefit auction for items such as restaurant dinners, lodging stays, chef prepared dinner in your home, cooking lessons in your home, shopping spree for wine and cheese, etc. Details are available on the Vermont March of Dimes website. (c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn
More About: Events