Slacking on the Skiing

Actually, I haven't been - I have been slacking in the photo taking department. Or rather, Mitch has been, but since he is a volunteer, I will take full responsibility.

Mitch and I have been making full use of our Sugarbush season's passes. In fact, next time pays for them which pretty much rocks since it's still January and Sugarbush is known for their late season kick-ass spring skiing. They're sneaky like that.

Our latest ski adventure started in Swanton of all places where we wined and dined with friends hosted by the lovely Melissa of Bee Well Massage. We spent the night and awoke to gorgeous views of Lake Champlain and buzzed on down to Sugarbush (after our pre-ski stretches of course). I love Sugarbush for many reasons, one being even on a busy weekend, the lines are never very long. Considering we've spent much of the season over at Lincoln Peak, we opted for Mt. Ellen this time where the ratio of Vermonters to tourists is typically more in our favor. Don't get me wrong - I am a fan of tourists and what they do for our economy, heck, I even work in the Vermont tourism industry! However, sometimes I feel their vibes aren't always up to par.

Regardless, the day was gorgeous and we had a fantastic time skiing. We left a bit early Saturday to help our good friends by distributing copies of The Healthy Hippie Magazine to The Warren Store and Sweet Pea Natural Foods Market - if you live down there go check it out or subscribe by going to www.healthyhippie.net. This is the magazine I write the Vermont Vibes column in - based on this blog!

Afterwards we even went out for dinner and beers at one of my personal favorites, The Hyde Away Inn & Restaurant. I had the delicious meatloaf - YUM!!! Mitch had a burger because that's how he rolls! And the beer - oh, Vermont beer - I love you. I drank Trout River and Mitch rolled with the Magic Hat.


And the next day, we went skiing all over again!!! Well, Mitch snowboards, but again, that is how he rolls. Sigh.

Snowshoeing at Little River

I love the opportunity to have a nature excursion in the woods when I can breathe and smell the air, close my eyes and imagine, and think clearly yet so scattered at the same time. This is what rejuvenates my spirit and perspective - in essence, my positive vibes. I had the chance not too long ago at Little River State Park in Waterbury.

Little River State Park has always been one of my favorites. I am inclined to think there is more magic at state parks a bit farther away from Chittenden County, like how people think "real Vermont" is away from Burlington. But, Little River is more real Vermont than any place, its history is deep, and rich, and hits me with a force of energy that awakens and renews me every time I visit. The area was settled long ago, but the conditions too harsh and the children abandoned the village as they grew older and it died. There is an old mill on the simply splendid Little River, many foundations, two cemeteries, and even a house that some angry ancestors wrote words to the state within. The history brochure really takes you into another place and the peace and honesty felt in the forest is awesome.

This visit I went snowshoeing. State Parks are free in the off season to park at the gate and trek in for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, and hunting during the season. I hear they even allow camping and ask that you leave your license plate number at the main office. I took a two and a half hour trek around the resevior roads and through the camping area of the park. I even found the sites for my next group excursion will be this summer. Here are a few disposable camera views of my perfect day!




I even found Mitch and I's dreamhouse, just before the park, but apparently, it just sold - maybe it will be on the market in a few years...

Vibing Products

There is a new store doing neat things in the Blue Mall in South Burlington. It's called Candles and Creations. You may have read their recent Burlington Free Press article or seen them on WCAX (or you can check them at those links). Or you may have just heard that there are two artistic, caring, and dynamic women who opened a store this fall selling and making (in the store) their candles and jewelry, giving back to the community and supporting charities, and selling products of other Vermont artisan women.

I love this store for the strength of the women behind it, their commitment to humanity, and the opportunity they are giving other Vermont artisan women. I also love it because it provides quite the collection of Vibing products. Cool jewelry to wear while your visiting Vermont favorites, special candles to light when you are relaxing before or after a Vibe adventure, groovy bags to bring your Vibing supplies with you, notecards to send positive Vibes to others by mail, nifty calendars to mark your Vibing plans on, journals to express your Vibes in when Vibing, and literature, workshops, and overall store ambiance to help you reach your own personal potential through embracing your spirit and the positive vibrations your energy can create. Yeah, I am all about this store!

Heather and Casey, creators extraordinaire, can be found in their Blue Mall store off Dorset Street, on their just-being-developed website - http://candlesandcreations.net, and on their product websites: Heather's candle company is called Dragonfly Gifts of Vermont - www.dragonflygiftsvt.com and Casey's jewelry venture is called CW Creations - www.cwcreationsvt.com.

Stop by because it feels good in there!

Positive Vibes in 2008

Many who know me well - from both the past and present - I think would all agree on one characteristic - I can be crazy! I agree, this is true. And, I think most would also agree, not crazy in a bad way, but in a fun and good way.

A few comments I have heard over the past include:
"You help me be brave to do things I would not otherwise do."
"You are one of the realest people I know and I need your advice on..."
"You really helped me look at this in a way I never would have."
"When I want to have a good time doing something, you are one of the first people that comes to mind." and
"You should be on a reality TV show."

These types of comments give examples as to what my life mission is - to help people think and act out of the box to better themselves and the people around them for whatever they may need at the time. This is how I give positive vibes to others and one of the main reasons I enjoy bouncing around Vermont, touching the lives of those I am with and those I meet along the way. And for 2008, I plan to do this even more, because it is my purpose, my destiny, and my strife.

In other words, it is how I roll. Watch out for the Vibe - you may never be the same again...

Visiting Friends

My guess is many of you have friends here in Vermont who move farther into the country or woods the longer you are all here in Vermont - isn't that part of the reason we live or move here? While we love to see our friends transition into the next phases of their lives and get away from the ick of crappy apartment living to the space and outdoor elements of having a house, the cruel fact is that we just don't get to see these friends as much as we like anymore!


So - take a Vibe adventure en route to visit such friends! Winter is a perfect time to vibe through Vermont villages and towns with the destination of making a good meal, drinking wine, and spending the night at a friend's house you just don't get to see as much anymore. No need to wait for an invitation! This is the Northeast - we say it as it is and speak our minds. Most likely your friend has gotten so used to people turning down such invitations because we're all too caught up in our own lives, they've just given up asking. I guarantee - with the Vermont Vibes stamp of approval - they'll be stoked if you bring it up!


If you are the person with the house in the woods - get creative to get peeps to your abode! Find someone who does massage, reiki, spa treatments, etc. and host a "party" of sorts. There are so many independent consultant types who center around healthy lifestyles, you're sure to find one through a connection (if you don't already have one) and together you can create a fun time for friends to get away and play in your playground!

My favorite such event actually took place a few years ago. My friend had a place up at Bolton Valley and in the fall, a group of gals gathered our sleeping bags, nail supplies, face masks, girly and scary movies, and wine and had an adult sleepover. It was one of the funnest "girls nights out" I have ever had.

And, come January, Mitch and I look very much forward to visiting our friends Melissa and Chris at their house in Swanton for a night of healthy food, mead made from honey, massages, and possible fire on the lake! Melissa runs Bee Well Massage, and is a beautifully artistic and caring massage therapist with a heart full of honey from the bees she loves so much. She's also a great contact to help get you started if you'd like to bring in a massage therapist for a group of your friends.


And in the meantime, call a friend who lives several towns, or counties, away from you and make some plans to kick back, talk of the old days, plan for the new, get a little tipsy (because you'll safely be spending the night), light a fire, and just enjoy the moments in life that are simply too far and in between.

Share your Love and Light and Feel it from your Friends!

Some of my Faves for Eats

My friend Taraleigh, also known throughout as the Healthy Hippie, has got me thinking about yummy and local food since she writes a weekly newsletter that always has great healthy food tips, among other fun stuff. Check out her website at www.healthyhippie.net to sign up and learn about her new magazine that hits the streets this winter! I will also be writing a Vermont Vibes article in the new magazine!

So, I thought I'd share some yummy vibes with readers with some of my favorite places to grab a bite in the Green Mountain State!

I'll start right here in Burlington where there is a new "fast food" restaurant in town. As many hopefully know by now, the golden arches have left downtown and around the same time a healthy quick fix stop opened. The New Moon Cafe, on Cherry Street, is my new all time favorite place to grab a bite or have a relaxing and affordable lunch meeting. They have all sorts of yummy specials - quiches, soups, pastries - but what I love is the make your own salad and sandwich bars. The selections are so fresh, healthy, and local, I get myself in trouble by ordering more than I need because it all looks and tastes so good! What I love the most is the friendly staff make the salads and sandwiches for you. I am a big fan of this concept because I can easily look and pick my ingredients, but am terrible at putting them together. I can't get enough of this place and the ambiance is perfect! Looking to try a new lunch spot? New Moon Cafe is it!

A place I discovered not soon after it opened several years back, before I called "vibing" Vibing, is Edelweiss Bakery & Cafe Coffee Shop in Johnson. I love this place so much, I specifically decorated my living room to look like their upstairs dining area. The food is fantastic - scrumptious baked goods, super soups, great tea (I don't drink coffee), but it's the ambiance that has me finding reasons to go to Johnson, just so I can step into Edelweiss.

Heading further East will bring you out to where I spent my summers growing up - Caspian Lake in Greensboro. I used to canoe across the lake to have breakfast on the porch of the Highland Lodge (they used to give 10% off your meal if you canoed over). This was our summer hang out, so I never actually have gone in the winter, but the lodge is one of the most renowned ski touring centers around - maybe they give 10% off a meal if you ski over? Regardless, this place is Northeast Kingdom class, not to mention that Greensboro is also a magical place. Make it a point to enjoy a meal at the Highland Lodge sometime in the near future.

Still poking around in the north country more West in Jay Peak territory, is the Snowshoe Pub in Montgomery Center. All I am going to say here is GO. It is pure Vermont and I have yet to find a more varied menu in all of my travels. Oh, and I once drove through a snow storm without snow tires for an hour and a half to eat at this place.

Oh, skiing. Ah... Skiing makes me think of my ski place, Sugarbush, and my favorite restaurant in the Mad River Valley - The Purple Moon Pub. Coziest apres ski around and I will never tire of fish tacos. The menu is small, live music always filled with sweet surprises, and the ambiance is cozy, rosy, and you must goesy.

And finally, on occasion, I like to step it up a notch. In the case of the Woodstock Inn, a few notches. I know all about the Woodstock Inn because I used to handle their public relations when I worked in the agency world, but regardless of that, to this day, I have yet to eat a better Sunday brunch. There will definitely be an Easter brunch Vibe trip to Woodstock and brunch in the inn's dining room. They even have patte!

Happy dining my friends! Love, Light, and Positive VIBES!!!

Vermont Bed and Breakfasts

Yay Winter!!!! The skiing has started! While there are only a few runs right now, I've been to Sugarbush twice and as I await this storm that is supposed to dump, I can't wait to blog about some of these winter expeditions! However, not everyone is as amped about the winter outdoors as I so I want to make some suggestions for other fun Vibing activities!!

Stay at Vermont bed and breakfasts!! Bed and breakfasts are such an untapped getaway for going away without going far. Pick an area of Vermont you've always wanted to visit. Perhaps somewhere there's a great museum! Or just a town you've always heard about or have always wanted to visit. And then find a B&B!

While bed and breakfasts do make good romantic getaways, they are certainly not only for such jaunts! A B&B can be a great night away for any person by themselves to clear their heads and take that "moment to yourself" everyone and everything money can or cannot buy always tells you to do. Start or finish that book, get caught up on goal planning, write letters or holiday cards, or just breathe and take some moments in your own world. Lots of B&B's also have rooms with two twin beds or a bed and a pull-out, making a stay fun and affordable for catching up with an old friend or going on the every-growing-in-popularity "girlfriend getaways."

Bed and breakfasts certainly vary. Some have their own bathrooms, some are shared. Some make a private breakfast in the morning, some serve you in a dining room of sorts with other guests, and others you eat right with the owners. I personally love bed and breakfasts. I find something extremely endearing about hanging out in someone else's home, eating with them, and learning about perspectives and ideas on life, whether that be from talking with them or exploring their decorative interpretations. I also love staying in older homes and making the getaway into a local history excursion.

A great way to find one to fit for you is by going to either www.bbonline.com/vt/ or www.bedandbreakfast.com/vermont.html. One of my personal favorites is Couture's Maple B&B. I enjoy going there during maple sugaring season, another favorite Vermont Vibing adventure. And of course, one of my most favorite all time clients, The Inn at the Round Barn Farm, truly idealizes the whole bed and breakfast experience. Anyone have any favorite bed and breakfast's they'd like to share?