posted 05-30-2005 11:01               

Thanks,

posted 05-30-2005 12:04               

Stowe would be a center of activity and very busy with lots of shopping and bustle. Smuggs would be a great base of activity as it is quiet there that time of year and a short drive to stowe.

Quieter yet would be the Sugarbush area with the Seasons and one other time share in the area. Great hiking and mountain biking but not a lot of organized activities and tourist attractions that time of year. About 1 hr drive to stowe from there.

If you are going later than the first week in october then look a little farther south to southern vermont or the berkshires.

If you give a little more info on what you like to do I will try to help. My recommendations come from a lot of experience hiking and biking.

posted 05-31-2005 08:59               

I was thinking of flying into Boston the night before and then take a nice drive up the coast of Maine a bit then across NH to the resort.

Has anyone taken the ferry across Lake Champlain? What about the Ben & Jerry's tour?

TIA

posted 05-31-2005 11:25               

Ben and Jerry's.....A little too touristy and overpriced but a must do.

Drive over the notch.....definitely an experience.

Get your butt on top of Mansfield.......Four options.....
1. Drive up the toll road to near the summit and walk the rest of the way. I have heard this is a pretty easy walk (warning everyones easy is not the same).
2. Take the gondola up and walk the rest of the way. I have heard this is a pretty serious climb.
3. Climb the sucker using the Long Trail. Strenuous all day hike with lots of vertical and some very steep sections.
4. Climb up using the Hells brook ( or something like that) trail out of the notch. This is a route not recommended for the casual hiker or anyone who has a fear of heights at all. Unbelievably steep with exposure when stepping out onto the chin.
An unforgettable experience for those with some peak bagging experience. Do not attempt to downclimb this way. Go down via the long trail and walk back up the road to your car.

Bike the recreational path at Stowe......Very easy and can be done with any bike... If you mountain bike email me and I can give you some recommendations.

drive anywhere on route 100. And get out and walk some. Granville falls around sugarbush is beautiful. I drive from Rutland up and love that drive.

Eats....Great breakfast place in Jeffersonville.....Cann't remember the name but go down and take a right at the stop sign. About a block down on the right is the restaurant.

Also could not go wrong driving across NH and taking in the presidentials.

Pick up your groceries at the Price Chopper in either Rutland or Burlington. I love this store. There is not a lot up there.

Have fun and maybe we will pass each other as I'm up in that area week 40.

Any other ideas by fellow tuggers would be helpful to all of us that love Vermont.

Wayne

posted 05-31-2005 12:31               

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a great time. It has been a long time since I've been in NE during color season and that was too early for the north.

posted 06-02-2005 17:41               

Here are some loops that you can make that include ferries and Lake Champlain. We keep a boat at one of the marinas on the islands. Just put the boat in today and had a great day on the lake.

Loop 1: Off of I89 take exit 17 - Lake Champlain Islands. Follow Rt 2 out to the islands and north over the islands. Explore the islands while you're there. You'll be there at the height of apple season. There are orchards, fresh apple cider, and cider donuts along the way. Isle La Motte is also an interesting side stop. Cross into New York at Rouses Point, just south of the Canadian border. Head south in New York to Plattsburgh and take the Plattsburg-to-South Hero/Grand Isle ferry back to the islands.

Loop 2: Off of I89 take exit 17 - Lake Champlain Islands. Follow Rt 2 out to the islands and north over the islands. Watch for the ferry signs and take the South Hero/Grand Isle-to-Plattsburgh ferry. In New York head south to Port Kent. Take the Port Kent-to-Burlington ferry (longest ride of all the ferries) back to Burlington. This is especially nice if you get to see the sunset on the ferry. Stop at Church Street in Burlington for dinner before heading back to Stowe.

Loop 3: Out of Burlington, take the Burlington-to-Port Kent ferry. In New York head south to Essex. Take the Essex-to-Charlotte ferry back to Vermont. Head north back to Burlington or directly to Stowe.

Loop 4: From Charlotte take the Charlotte-to-Essex ferry to Essex. In New York head south to Crown Point. The Crown Point State Historical Site is along the way. Drive across the Crown Point bridge to Vermont. The Chimney Point State Historical Site is at the end of the bridge. You can head north to Burlington then to Stowe or follow Rt 17 across the Green Mountains to Rt 100 in the Mad River Valley, then north to Stowe.

Other places you might consider visiting are Shelburne Museum www.shelburnemuseum.org and Shelburne Farms www.shelburnefarms.org. Both are south of Burlington in Shelburne.

If you're into kayaking, you can rent kayaks in Stowe. I have a Word doc describing places where we've kayaked. If you'd like it, I can email it to you.

Hope you enjoy leaf-peeping in Vermont!

Dollie

[This message has been edited by Dollie (edited 06-02-2005).]