I experienced my first visit to The Publyk House back in the simpler times of the spring of 2018. My husband and I were visiting Bennington at the time, staying at the lovely Harwood Hill Motel while trying to find an apartment to rent for our upcoming move that summer. We decided to try this restaurant due the proximity to the motel, and we were both quite glad we did.
There is a cozy and inviting atmosphere at the Publyk House. The entrance is carpeted, the bathrooms are clean and spacious, and candles are present on each of the tables. In the winter, they set up the fireplace, which I appreciated greatly when we ate here to celebrate my January birthday in 2019. Outdoor seating with pleasant mountain views is available when the weather allows. It is one of the larger restaurants in Bennington, but it is also popular, so reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and Fridays. The prices for entrees range between $20.00 and $35.00, making it one of the more expensive options in the area. The Publyk House is open 7 days a week during dinner hours, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Sunday.
Most entrees at The Publyk House come with access to their salad bar, and we have been continually impressed by the offerings of their salad bar since the first visit. In addition to the usual salad ingredients (lettuce, tomato, etc.), they also offer hard boiled eggs, roasted red peppers, several kinds of pasta salad, and an assortment of crunchy toppings including slivered almonds. At the time, the only downside to the offerings here was the potential to easily fill up ahead of one’s meal. I believe the restaurant did discontinue the salad bar for a time during the pandemic, though it was open the last two times we visited, during this past summer of 2021. My husband and I have different salad bar strategies here: he usually piles what appears to be every topping on top of his lettuce base, while I like to split my salad bar plate into halves, one with a simple salad of lettuce, tomato, peppers, and dressing and the other with whatever pasta salads they are offering. Both strategies can be delicious, but both can also lead to a meal that’s potentially way too filling.
Salad bar fun!
Lobster mac and cheese.
A very enticing dessert menu.
Another special feature of the Publyk House is a honey wheat bread loaf served with whipped maple butter, offered as a complimentary starter for all meals. It’s a crumbly bread that can make quite a mess (or at least it can when I eat it…), but it’s also quite tasty and freshly baked; the butter is a great mix of creamy, savory, and sweet.
The dining room menu has a wide variety of appetizers and entrees to choose from, as does the tavern menu. There are also daily specials in all categories, which is always a plus, and special menus available during holidays like Thanksgiving. I’m not super into steaks or meats, but I sure do love carbs and seafood, so some of my favorite dishes at the Publyk House have been the buttermilk calamari appetizer, the lobster mac and cheese (pictured above), and the stone kitchen pasta. The last two times I’ve visited the Publyk House, I have been pregnant (I am 8 months pregnant while writing this), so I was not able to try any of the amazing looking drinks on their cocktail lists, but I definitely made a note of some to try in the future; the caramel apple mule and the key lime pie martini sound particularly interesting to me.
Awesome way to end a meal: brownies, fudge, and ice cream.
Though I could not partake in all of the beverages during pregnancy, there was certainly nothing stopping me from having desserts (in fact, cravings were encouraging this to happen a whole lot more than usual). There was a special s’mores brownie dessert that totally made my meal recently, and over the summer I was delighted to split a Reese’s peanut butter pie slice with family members who were visiting; it tasted just like a peanut butter cup in pie form. I also have a distinct memory of enjoying a special, homemade cinnamon ice cream during that time went here for my winter birthday in 2019. The establishment has certainly left a positive impression on this dessert-appreciator.
The Publyk House is a lovely restaurant that provides tasty food and a pleasant atmosphere. Though it is on the expensive side, the inclusion of the salad bar and the excellent bread and butter makes everything feel like more of a value. The only issue is the crowds, though of course that is an issue most restaurants would like to have! I would recommend this restaurant to any individual or family; just make sure you either go at a quiet time or have a reservation.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
The last time I shared about how the coronavirus has been affecting life here in my Vermont town, it was March of 2020, when COVID-19 had only just started to up-end the world as we all knew it. Since then, there’s been a lot of challenges and a lot of changes, though many changes are pointing in a positive direction. This is what’s been going on over the past year or so of the pandemic, from my experience here in the Green Mountain State.
Professional Life
Some highlights of in-person teaching during the pandemic: outdoor lunches and constant hand sanitizing!
My professional life as an educator has definitely been the aspect of my life that has been most dramatically altered by the pandemic, and it has been altered and re-altered multiple times throughout, as guidelines have changed and cases have popped up in school.
For the end of the 19-20 school year, from March to June, I, along with countless other teachers across the country and the world, was tasked with learning to teach remotely in an unthinkably short amount of time, especially considering I’ve never done anything close to this as a teacher of early elementary grades. I did my best, though, and came out at the end of the year knowing Google Classroom and Zoom fairly well after working out how they worked best with young students over the final few months of school. Of course, having everything remote had its disadvantages, including the fact that there were several kids in my class who simply didn’t participate, whether due to not having enough support at home with parents as essential workers or just not being developmentally ready to learn in this very different manner. There were benefits, too, though, including a chance for the kids to learn all of this new technology along with me (it definitely helped prepare them for the next wild ride of a school year) as well as really basic but amazing privileges like being able to use the bathroom whenever I needed it (such a rare luxury in the teaching profession).
That was certainly an experience, but approaching its end, I can confidently 20-21 school year has required more adaptation on the parts of educators, students, and parents than any I’ve witnessed as a teacher or even during my own years as a student. It would take several posts to fully detail all of the changes that took place, but in a nutshell, in my district/school, we started with remote learning (this now involved me learning a whole other digital learning platform, as Google Classroom was not the one chosen for the younger grades), shifted to a model where most kids were remote with a few exceptions, went to an A/B hybrid model, and finally ended up on a 4 day in-person/1 day remote model with some kids doing the full remote option. While all of that was going on, we’d also have full remote weeks here and there after vacation weeks like December break, as well as at least one due to positive cases. My brain has been admittedly overloaded with all of this, especially having to plan in-person and remote activities for the majority of the year. Helping kids learn to manage all of the virus-related expectations, such as wearing masks correctly and social distancing, has been another new aspect to the job. Despite the challenges, I have been extremely impressed by how understanding and flexible the parents of the kids in my class have been, and the by the level of resiliency shown by the kids themselves. That being said, I am very much hoping that next school year will be more consistent and less taxing for students and staff alike.
Personal Life
This is a bit related to my professional life, as I was able to get it slightly earlier (though not as early as I wanted!) as an educator, but a big thing that happened for me (and hopefully many of you) recently is that I received my covid vaccine toward the end of March 2021. I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, along with many others at a vaccine clinic specifically for educators.
Though it was very uplifting to see so many school staff members out and I don’t regret getting it, I did have fairly severe side effects that resulted in several doctor’s visits and missing an entire week of work.
Thank goodness for nature.
Vaccine aside, things in my personal life have not been too eventful at all. I started getting more comfortable with things outside of the home in the summer of 2020, enjoying some outdoor dining and getting a haircut for the first time post-pandemic. When in-person school started, I was more cautious in my personal life out of concern for my students and their families. However, after the vaccine I am feeling a lot more open to different experiences; my husband and I have gone back to the occasional outdoor dining and I’ve even been back to the dentist by now! Of course, the pandemic has done nothing to stop me from spending a lot of time in the great outdoors running, hiking, and, naturally, walking my sweet dog. Fiddle has not been bothered one bit by pandemic life over the past year or so.
Fiddle’s point of view: quarantine = more time to snuggle!
It has been a long time since my husband and I have seen our friends and family in-person, especially considering we live far away from them in any case (Zoom has been helpful with this!). We have several potential visits planned and/or in planning stages for this summer, though, which will involve seeing many people we haven’t seen in a year or longer. This is very exciting!
State and Neighborhood Life
Throughout the pandemic, I’ve been keeping up with the Vermont Dashboard on a daily basis, and the experience has been incredibly informative and occasionally anxiety-producing. However, it’s been great to look at over the past few weeks and see numbers of new cases as low as 10 and 11, after months and months of new case numbers in the hundreds (this might seem minimal but keep in mind that Vermont is the second-last-populated state in the U.S.).
Things seem to be going well in town, too. Though my husband will forever lament the loss of our nearby Burger King, lots of local businesses have either continued to thrive throughout the pandemic or are coming back up as things loosen up. There are even places that have opened during these wild times, such as Farm Road Brewing right in the downtown area, a place I’m certainly interested in checking out in the future.
This past year has been an intense time, but my hope is that it’s helped many of us grow stronger, as individuals and as communities. Here’s hoping that things will only improve more from here.
Vermont sunset views by the patio at the Mount Anthony Country Club Grille.
My husband and I first tried out the food at The Grille back in 2019, when things like “restaurant week” were, indeed, a thing. We’ve visited once in the post-covid times, as well, and both were enjoyable times featuring a pleasant atmosphere and many rounds of delectable dishes.
The Grille is the restaurant that is part of the Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington, VT, which is also noteworthy for its golf course, swimming pool, and winter cross country skiing/snowshoeing trails, all available to members. You can also look into booking the club as a wedding venue or even for a kid’s birthday pool party. Knowing less than nothing about the sport of golf, I’ve only experienced this area as a diner, but even so, I was still able to appreciate the peace and natural beauty of the grounds during each of my visits.
My husband and I first became aware of the Grille in November 2019 due to “restaurant week”, which is and has been a fun event in the Shires of Vermont where restaurants in the area offer prix fixe menus for great prices in order to encourage more people to come see what they have to offer. Events like that are things that I will certainly not take for granted after the COVID-19 pandemic made such things difficult or impossible in 2020. In our case, we enjoyed a prix fixe dinner – including appetizer, entrée, and dessert – for $30 per person.
Fireplace seating available!
A special Restaurant Week menu.
Delightful sweetness.
Since it was November and the worldwide pandemic was not yet even a figment of our imaginations, we ate indoors, in a room with fireplace, which was a spacious and tastefully decorated for the fall season with small touches like pumpkins and gourds. It’s been awhile, but I know I ordered a perfectly cheesy French Onion soup for an appetizer, a vegetarian burger with mushrooms and caramelized onions for the entree, and a really delightful ice cream-inclusive dessert. I can’t quite recall what came with the ice cream but you can witness its glory in the photo above; this dessert was exactly the right ending to the meal. Everything was delicious without being overwhelming and we were able to leave feeling comfortably full and satisfied. It was exactly the kind of experience you’d want for trying out a new place during “restaurant week”.
We visited The Grille again recently, as I had a week off for spring break and wanted to try to fit something fun in amidst the doctor appointments, car purchasing, and all the boring stuff I can barely make time for when school’s in session (especially as almost this whole school year has been this very unique thing called “hybrid”, which basically means double the planning for teachers). Even though I’ve now received a COVID-19 vaccine, I still feel like eating outdoors is the safer option and, quite simply, I love being outdoors, so we ate on the patio area for this second visit to the Grille. I really enjoyed eating with the view of the pristine golf course backed up by the comforting presence of those ever-beautiful green mountains. At the end of our meal, it was the perfect place to view the sun setting.
Outdoor dining options available!
Mushroom Arancini.
Sparkling rose is the perfect spring drink!
Glorious views aside, the food was also a fantastic experience. We don’t eat out very often, especially these days, so we really went all out and ordered everything we thought we could handle. I enjoyed the whole thing with a sparkling rose that had just the right combination of strength and pleasant taste. My husband and I shared two appetizers – buffalo wings and mushroom arancini, which are risotto balls topped with parmesan and set upon a bed of arugula. The wings were a good size and I was all about the cheesy, savory flavor of the mushroom dish. For the main course, I ordered shrimp scampi, and the whole plate was filled with plump and juicy shrimps. Though my husband was plenty full after he ordered a perfectly medium rare steak, I still had room for dessert and have absolutely no regrets about trying the dark chocolate Oreo cookie pie. Much like my previous experience, it was the most satisfying ending to a great meal, though the fullness level was definitely closer to the max this time than it was previously.
A star attraction at The Grille.
Even when it’s not “restaurant week”, The Grille offers a great selection of food with a mix of American and Italian styles. The prices are reasonable and reflect the value of what you are getting (e.g., if you order shrimp scampi, your plate is going to be covered in delicious shrimp). The service is friendly and currently servers wear masks and adhere to safety guidelines, though the timing of your emal may vary – when we went in 2019, everything arrived at our table quickly and efficiently. However, in 2021, there was a notably longer wait between courses. This may have been because we were the only people eating outside while there were considerably more people dining inside, or because of adherence to different safety protocols in these post-covid times. The good news is that, with the mountains in view and the sweet taste of sparkling rose in my mouth, I was in no hurry.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Billings Farm & Museum is a popular attraction in Woodstock, Vermont. I had the privilege of visiting this lovely establishment in the late May of 2018 and found it to be a really sweet and memorable experience, certainly worth reminiscing about during this seemingly endless winter of the pandemic.
Adult admission to Billings Farm & Museum is $16.00 per person, with discounts available for seniors, students, and children. It’s open on a very seasonal basis, with weekends open in the late fall and winter, closing in March, and then opening daily from April through October. Considering the the farm aspect of this attraction, the activities available change significantly throughout the seasons.
Border collies and their handlers.
A brand new baby calf.
Sheep shearing business.
My husband and I visited in the heart of the spring season and I would absolutely recommend that others enjoy their visit at this delightfully green time of year. We had the opportunity to see a fascinating demonstration of some adorable border collies herding sheep, which really helped me to understand why this dog breed always tends to be on the top of the “smartest dog breed” lists you might see online. We witnessed a demonstration of sheep shearing, which I appreciated as someone who wears a lot of sweaters. And the best part of all about visiting in the spring was that super cute baby animals were everywhere – in particular, we saw lots of sweet little lambs and a calf that had just been born a day or two previously. While the spring was a great time, Billings Farm & Museum offers plenty of other special activities and events throughout the year, such as holiday celebrations for Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving as well as a Maple Celebration week in February, an Antique Tractor Day in August, and more.
As you can probably tell from the very apt name, Billings Farm & Museum is not only a farm; it’s a museum as well. In fact, I would say it involves two museums, as there is a more contained 1890s farmhouse exhibit as well as a larger and more general “farm life” exhibit. The farmhouse is a really neat recreation that brings you back in time well through the use of intricate details, such as the cans in the pantry or the photos displayed in each room. The farm life exhibit has a more educational vibe – it displays and describes various aspects of life on a Vermont farm from about a hundred years go, from what the schoolhouse was like to ice harvesting. Both areas are immersive and informative.
Ice harvesting.
Some cooking in the 1890 farmhouse.
Old school education.
Though the museums were fun, my favorite part of our visit was definitely getting to see all the animals, particularly the border collies. That demonstration was special to me, knowing I was interested in getting a herding type dog of my own in the future (which eventually urned out to be my sweet corgi, Fiddle). Aside from the dogs (who I believe are special springtime visitors), the Billings Farm is also home to jersey cows, goats, sheep, horses, pigs, oxen, chicken, and goats. Another highlight for me personally, was the dairy bar right outside the farm house, where visitors can purchase and enjoy some Vermont-made ice cream as well as some Billings-made cheeses (I tried the former and hope to return to try the latter). Dairy bars are always highlights for me, to be fair.
It’s all about that dairy.
Sweet young lambs.
Where all that great dairy begins…
Throughout our trip, I noticed lots of families children having a wonderful time and thought that this would be a great place to bring one of my future classes on a trip, as it would involve hands-on experience with animals, a lot of time outdoors, and plenty of learning about science and history. Lucky for educators everywhere, Billings Farm & Museum offers school field trip experiences, as well as many other programs for kids in school or camp. Currently, they offer virtual field trips due to safety concerns during the pandemic.
Billings Farm & Museum has been open during the pandemic (though they will be closed throughout this coming March as usual), with the intention of keeping things as safe as possible through requiring social distancing, mask-wearing, and frequent hand-washing and sanitizing (they have provided sanitizing stations throughout the grounds).
This is a special place that really embodies a lot of what Vermont is all about, as well as what it has been all about throughout history.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Back in the summer of 2020, things were difficult but they did seem a little brighter than they did here in the winter of 2021, at least for me personally. Even with the pandemic raging across the country, there was no problem with finding a lovely trail to explore outdoors and the constant fresh air did wonders for the spirit. The summer was greatly appreciated for me as an educator, being preceded by a sudden change to remote learning and being followed by complete uncertainty. Knowing I might not feel this would be a safe activity after returning to work in person, I took advantage of the opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy some culinary indulgences through outdoor dining. The Dutchman’s Tavern offered a great experience in this area.
My husband and I first visited this establishment in June, after I had just completed a bigger roller coaster of a school year than I would have ever imagined. I was a bit nervous, as this was my first time going anywhere populated since COVID-19 had closed Vermont’s school buildings in mid-March. However, my worries were put at ease when it was clear how many careful precautions were taken by the staff. All staff members were wearing masks and clear directions were posted for customers to do the same, when not eating at their individual tables. Before even looking at a menu, we were asked to sign a paper with our names and numbers so that contact tracing could take place if needed. Seeing the precautions being taken seriously made it easy enough to relax and enjoy a great meal.
Cheese on cheese = my kind of appetizer!
A fish sandwich with a side of coleslaw.
A refreshing beverage on a summer evening.
On this perfectly sunny and warm June evening, I enjoyed the selection you see above: mozzarella sticks, a fish sandwich, and one of the lighter ales on the drink menu. Everything tasted just as delicious as I would have hoped and it was so enjoyable to simply sit outside and chat with my husband after spending such an enormous amount of time inside our home over the previous months. He ordered the Gouda Burger and let me have a bite; I was quite impressed with how savory it was and, when he finished, he declared it the best burger he’s eaten in Vermont (an honor that still stands). We left feeling pleasantly full, tranquil, and ready to return in the future.
We ended up enjoying the outdoor dining experience one more time, closing my summer with another visit in late August, before I would return to a most unique school year. Since this was a bit of a “last hurrah” before getting back to business, I was in the mood to indulge. So when I saw the option to add cheese and truffle oil to tater tots as an appetizer, I was in no place to resist. I ordered that just for myself, which ended up being a mistake. While it was one of the tastiest “starters” I’ve ever had the pleasure to try, the fat from the oil and cheese filled me up extremely quickly so I could only handle so much while also saving room for a burger. My husband was very pleased with this development, as he agreed wholeheartedly on the tastiness factor. He ended up eating most of them. I tried the Cajun Burger, based on the excellent taste of the burger during our previous dining endeavor, and I was not disappointed – it had just the right amount of heat. Even though my stomach was bursting at the seams following this particular experience, there are no regrets; everything was memorably delectable.
A spicy Cajun burger.
Tater tots with truffle oil and cheese = an experience like no other.
Tater tots with truffle oil and cheese, Part 2 – takeout edition.
Once school began again, I elected to be as careful as possible out of concern for my coworkers, my students, and their families, as I’d rather be too careful in this regard than not careful enough. So, in 2020, I did not partake in any outdoor dining from September on. That being said, I have been fairly comfortable with supporting local businesses through takeout/curbside pick-up and decided to try the Dutchman’s Tavern’s menu this way, for my January birthday.
A “Forbidden Sour”. Shh, don’t tell!
This time I knew what I was getting into with the cheesy truffle tots so I ordered some for my husband and myself to share, taking the added precaution of eating very little during the earlier parts of the day to prepare for the richness of this dish. With preparations in place, we were both able to enjoy the truffly, cheesy goodness without going overboard. I also ordered a Gouda burger for myself, with fond memories of the one bite I had taken back in June in mind. Again, this turned out really well. The roasted red peppers were an excellent accompaniment to the smoked gouda and bacon, and the medium rare burger was cooked to perfection. Since it was for my birthday, we also ordered drinks to go. The Dutchman’s Tavern posts specials every day on Facebook and the post on this day advertised the “Forbidden Sour”, a cocktail with pomegranate liqueur, grenadine, and cherries. I was most interested and was even moreso when my husband arrived home from picking up our order with gigantic mason jars filled to the brim with this “forbidden” cocktail. All in all, it was a great meal that definitely helped me feel better about getting older during the winter of the pandemic.
I would recommend a visit to the Dutchman’s Tavern to anyone. They do currently offer indoor dining for those who are comfortable with that option, and the takeout, in my experience, involved food just as tasty as you’d get “in-house”. The service is great, with staff members following safety precautions and a positive attitude all around. The prices are super reasonable and the daily specials keep coming. If you follow the Dutchman’s Tavern on Facebook, be prepared to feel super hungry and thirsty every day as they share dinner specials for every day of the week in addition to the occasional (and irresistible) drink special.
This is an excellent pub/restaurant and I’m thankful it’s part of my town.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
One of the main reasons my husband I decided to move to Vermont from the “big city” was to be able to spend more time outdoors enjoying nature. This is an opportunity that we have absolutely taken full advantage of since our move, and I’m incredibly grateful that exploring new hiking trails is something we have been able to continue to do despite the trials of the coronavirus pandemic. Trails are great adventures indeed, but sometimes you want a more leisurely outdoor experience. This is where parks come in. There are three very noteworthy parks, each one we’ve visited quite often, that I’d like to highlight here: the Arlington Rec park, of course located in Arlington, Vermont, as well as the Greenberg Headwaters Park and Willow Park, both located in our town of Bennington, Vermont.
Arlington Recreation Park
The main reason my husband and I first decided to visit the Arlington Recreation Park, back in the much more care-free summer of 2019, was the fact that part of the park is a dog park. At this point in his puppyhood (he was about 8 months old then), our loveable corgi Fiddle had not had too many chances to socialize with other dogs, so we thought trying out a dog park would be a good idea. Of course, when we arrived the dog park was completely empty, not one other canine to be found. We still managed to have a good time letting Fiddle run freely around the dog park in a way he does not usually get to, considering our current lack of a yard. There is a lot of space for a pup to play here and Fiddle clearly enjoyed it, even if he was playing with usual humans instead of making new dog friends.
Arlington Rec Park boasts a spacious and, usually, very empty dog park.
Aside from the decently-sized dog park, there is a lot to admire about this charming town park. When you first enter, there is a modest pond with a relatively shallow area roped off for kids to enjoy a swim or playing in the water. (Fiddle enjoyed taking a splash in this pond after his dog park adventures.) Surrounding the pond is various playground equipment and structures for children to enjoy, as well as signs and structures encouraging guests to try out a “fitness challenge” while visiting the park. The landscaping is notable, especially in the spring and summer with a wide variety of brightly-colored flowers blooming. There are a few swinging benches throughout the big field that constitutes the entrance to the park, and those are always a fun time.
One of several swinging benches at the park.
A pond for swimming and playground fun.
The Battenkill River on a sunny summer day.
Further into the park, there is an absolutely lovely nature trail that is located along the path of the Battenkill River. Though the trail is not long, it is well maintained and offers several chances to take in a beautiful view of the river. If you go far enough on the trail, you will reach an area that is restricted due to being a “research farm” for “industrial hemp” but thankfully signs are posted clearly to avoid any confusion.
By now, I’ve visited the park four times, twice before the pandemic and twice in its midst. In the time of the coronavirus, this Arlington Rec Park offers a peaceful reprieve from the stress and anxiety of our current times. A visit here is a great way to bring some outdoor beauty and leisurely fun to anyone’s day.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Greenberg Headwaters Park
The Greenberg Headwaters Park is not a park in the same sense as Arlington Rec or Willow Park; it’s a series of trails located in the town of Bennington, apparently only recently available to the public.
A Headwaters Park trail on a bright autumn afternoon.
This park is very special to me, as it includes a variety of hiking trails that I can very easily walk to from my home, something that is still revolutionary in my mind as a former New York City resident. In addition, the trails are all quite easy and flat so it works well for trail running, as well.
There are a few entrances to this park in town, with one being the Beech Street field. This entrance is a great place to start your exploration, especially if you have a dog, as it includes a portable toilet as well as dog waste bags and a bin to place your yucky, used bags.
Within the trail system, there is a decent variety of scenery, including views of wetlands, a bridge over the Walloomsac River, and meadows that become startlingly green in in the spring and summer. In some areas the trails are marked clearly, but in other areas they are most decidedly not. This is fine for people who live nearby, like myself, and can get to know the woods, but it’s more easy than it should be for a more occasional visitor to get lost.
A wetlands view.
A snowy path.
The super green-ness of summer.
In general, this park is a gorgeous place with easy and pleasant trails. I enjoy visiting at least once a season, as the scenery here certainly expresses the seasons well. It’s also one of the few trail systems I will still visit in the winter as the ease of its trails works well for the ice and snow. However, I do wish it was more clearly marked within.
Freshly Vermont rating: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
Willow Park
As an elementary school teacher, I first heard about Willow Park from the kids in my class; it is absolutely all the rage with the under 10 crowd. From my perspective as an adult (and a dog owner), I am a bigger fan of the Arlingon Rec Park (the landscaping, the river!), but this is unquestionably a great place for kids and families to play, and a splendid park in general.
There’s a lot to check out at Willow Park; thankfully there’s also a helpful map!
The playgrounds in Willow Park are very unique and charming, with lots of emphasis on wooden structures. There are a lot of walking paths throughout the open fields, as well as a disc golf course – something I have seen people taking advantage of pretty much every time I have visited the park. There also specific fields for playing specific sports, including a soccer field and a softball field. Several picnic areas, with many tables, as well as places to possibly grill some food in the warmer months, are an important attraction of the park.
There is also a small nature trail that packs in a lot of lovely arboreal scenery and even some moderately hill-y terrain in its short distance. This nature trail has earned a soft spot in my heart, this being the first place my husband and I took our corgi puppy on a “trail” back in the snowy February of 2019.
Fiddle’s first adventure!
A peaceful place for a picnic, with a great view.
The nature trail is short but pretty, especially in the fall.
During the start of the pandemic, Willow Park closed all of its playgrounds, tennis courts, and anything similar, while leaving its trails and walking paths open. I took a walk here in March (a very socially distant walk, as no one else was present at all) and the desolation of it all was heartbreaking, considering how lively it had been during my last visit, which had been in October of 2019. Though the virus numbers have only gotten worse, everything here now appears to be open again, for families to use at their discretion.
Sign of the times: an empty playground in the spring of 2020.
I have been back to Willow Park since the pandemic began, mainly to walk along the nature trail or to finish up a long run on the paths. The last time I visited, this past October, it was pretty crowded for the situation, with a lot of families and children likely trying to soak up as much as outdoor experiences as they could before the dark winter of the pandemic would begin.
I am hopeful that the next time I visit will be in better times, and that children and families will be able to enjoy themselves here without worry. I also hope that Fiddle can have fun here, too – though he does enjoy a leashed walk through the trail, I think he’d be quite happy to hear that a dog park may be on the way as a new addition.
Freshly Vermont rating: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
There is no shortage of beautiful ponds here in Southern Vermont, and no shortage of charming trails that surround them. Recently I’ve had the pleasure of visiting four lovely and pond-focused trails in this ever-idyllic state: the Branch Pond in East Arlington, the Grout Pond Trails in Stratton, Little Pond in Woodford, and Little Rock Pond in Danby.
Grout Pond Trails
I had the pleasure of visiting the Grout Pond Trails in the Green Mountain National Forest on an extremely pleasant early October day in 2020. This was the Saturday of a long weekend and the area was more crowded than I would like upon our arrival, particularly in pandemic times, but it was most definitely worth the trip.
A lovely autumn day on the Grout Pond Trails.
My concerns about the crowd were quickly alleviated when realize how spread out the area was. (There was also a bathroom at the trailhead, which definitely drew in plenty of people!) Once we were officially on the pond loop, there was not another person in view.
No matter which trails you’d like to check out, the 2.6 mile-around pond loop is the start, a gentle, flat hike which had a magical quality to it due to the combination of the bright fall foliage and the colored leaves strewn about on the ground. There are campsites around the pond, which on this supremely picturesque weekend, were one hundred percent occupied.
There are bridges galore at Grout Pond.
Grout Pond in October.
These trails are perfect for dog rolling in the fall.
After walking around the pond loop for awhile, we were ready to try the East Trail, but a sign kindly informed us the trail was very wet and muddy and therefore not recommended, with the word “very” literally underlined on the sign. Though I would have liked to explore this area, I have a sincere appreciation for the clear warning provided. Since we couldn’t go East, we headed toward the West Trail and had better luck. There, the ever-adventurous Fiddle, my husband, and I had an excellent time walking over smoothly rolling hills, crossing a few cute bridges, taking in those autumn woodland aromas, and generally enjoying the best weather of the year in this beautiful area. Though this trip was a great time, I am certainly highly interested in visiting again, to see how the experience changes with the season.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Branch Pond Trail
The Branch Pond Trail is a trail I visited awhile ago, later in the June of 2019. However, I can remember it clearly despite the fact that experience itself was over a year ago. It was quite memorable for a few reasons, including the fact that I had just finished my first year as a full-time teacher in Vermont and the fact that our dear corgi Fiddle, at 7 months old, did some off-leash hiking for the first time.
A windy starts to the trail.
Fiddle showed us he was a good listener on the Branch Pond trail.
Some tricky terrain.
To reach the Branch Pond trail, you first have to drive along Kelley Stand Road for awhile before reaching the trailhead in East Arlington. Driving along this section of road really feels like you are leaving civilization behind and entering a new dimension of nature. The trail begins by Branch Pond and heads toward Bourne Pond (which I’ve also seen spelled Bourn Pond – not sure which is correct) for a little over 5 miles.
Though the official mud season was past when we made this trek, mud was still a major feature of the trail as a whole. The trail was muddy from the very start, and despite owning very sturdy hiking boots, I managed to end the experience with socks full of wet mud. The plant life and terrain changed a few times in the trail, especially toward the end of the trail when the hike involved lots of traversing over rocks in water. I distinctly remember holding on to my husband’s back as the rock hopping combined with severe muddiness of my shoes presented quite the challenge.
Since no one else was on the trail, we let Fiddle off his leash for a lot of it. A puppy back then, this was his first time enjoying an adventure with such freedom and he loved it. I was so proud to see how well he could stay with his “pack” despite the distractions nature might present to a dog.
When we reached the Bourne Pond area, it was not easy to see the pond but we are able to find some good rocks to sit on to eat sandwiches and ensure we had energy for the journey back.
A shimmering view of Branch Pond.
When did arrive back at the start, Branch Pond was quite literally sparkling in the sun, a perfect reward for making it through all of that mud.
Freshly Vermont rating: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
Little Pond Trail
The Little Pond Trail is one of the easier hikes here in the Shires of Vermont. It is mainly flat and the full distance of heading to the pond and back again is approximately 5 miles. Located in Woodford, Vermont, this is great trail for all ages, and, based on my two experiences visiting the area, not crowded at all. (This is a major plus when walking with an overly friendly corgi who decides every passing stranger is an opportunity for pets and belly rubs.) It also appears to be considered a good trail for snowmobiles (or at least part of it is), but I can’t comment on any of its winter charms as of yet.
Clarity of signs is important!
The trail begins in a heavily wooded area, with clear signage at the parking lot entrance. However, it moves to a more open area before the first quarter mile is over, which involves walking through roads, passing someone’s private property (signs are posted quite visibly so you don’t end up on said property), and then passing the undoubtedly memorable “shark rock”, a large boulder that is painted to look like the fearsome ocean predator.
Most of the trail involves walking along a wide path with tall, verdant trees and plants adorning its sides. I have visited this area twice – once in June and once in September – and each time there were large puddles in the middle of the wide path that you would need to walk around, though it was no too much trouble; no rock-hopping or feats of acrobatics needed. Each time I also had the pleasure of viewing wildlife flourishing in these puddles, which was quite neat; salamanders and tadpoles certainly appreciate the watery environment of this trail.
Fiddle has approved this trail as great for corgis.
Little Pond in summer.
The last half mile of the trail changes from the wide paths and reverts to the way it was in the beginning, heavily wooded with the narrower paths usually associated with your typical forest hike. This last half mile also is a slight change from the flatness of the previous two or so miles, but its hills are mild and the terrain, while a bit bumpy with roots, is something the average person could easily traverse without trouble. The trail culminates in a splendid view of Little Pond, which most people would likely want to stop and take in (and take photos of!) for awhile.
While this may not be the most breathtaking or challenging trail I’ve encountered here in Vermont, this trail is a sweet, simple, and relaxing jaunt.
Freshly Vermont rating: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
Little Rock Pond Trail
The Little Rock Pond trail, though similar in name and length, is different from the Little Pond trail in some key ways. This trail involves a more moderate level of challenge and a pond that often used by the general public for swimming and, for those brave enough, jumping off cliffs into the deep blue water. This trail is found in Danby, Vermont and offers overnight camping for $5 (day hikes, as in most Vermont areas, are free).
The trail circling the pond.
A most unique bridge.
The advertised “little rocks”…
The trail begins on a portion of the Long Trail, which in this section is itself part of the Appalachian trail (making the Little Rock Pond experience a true Inception of trails). There is, at least when I visited in August of 2020, a portable toilet conveniently located by the parking lot and entrance. There are some mild inclines on this section of the trail, and a few interesting bridges placed over the bubbly Little Black Brook, which runs throughout this white blazed section of the trail. The most noteworthy bridge is certainly the steel I beam, something I’m assuming was placed by one ingenious and helpful hiker years ago. There also wooden boards placed in areas that are likely to get muddy during a rainy day or the “mud season” of early spring. Some of the terrain is notably rocky.
We had a great time swimming to, and exploring, this rock island.
The trail changes at the pond loop. Here, you can see tent sites where people are camping and the blazes change from white to blue, as this area is an offshoot of the Appalachian trail with beautiful pond views available from all sections. The trail itself also becomes more difficult, with the terrain becoming bumpier due to various roots and a few sections that involve some minor rock scrambling. There are also a few clear areas that visitors can use for swimming. We took a break for a swim at the spot pictured above, and the water was the absolute perfect temperature on this late summer day. (Fiddle joined us, too, though my husband had to hold him in the deeper waters as he’s not quite one of those dogs who was born to swim.) It felt like being a kid again, swimming out to a little island and exploring it in a bathing suit and water shoes, hair dripping wet in the summer sun. While we were swimming, we could see a group of actual children in the distance jumping off one of the cliffs, each landing with a splash and a smile.
This was a lovely experience on a trail that provided a reasonable level of challenge combined with a high level of uniqueness and beauty.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Back where I used to live, in Brooklyn NY, sandwiches and delis abounded. In my neighborhood of Bay Ridge, you only needed to walk a few blocks to find a place where you could pick up a hearty sandwich, usually overloaded with meats and/or condiments to the point where about 10 napkins per food item were a necessity. Here in Bennington, Vermont, there are definitely far fewer establishments of this nature, but the two sandwiches places the neighborhood offers do both happen to be affordable and delicious. These places are the Elm Street Market, located on (you guessed it) Elm Street, and Your Belly’s Deli, located on Pleasant Street in the downtown Bennington area.
The Elm Street Market
The first time I visited the Elm Street Market, it was completely spontaneous. It was late in the September of 2018, rather soon after my husband and I had moved to Vermont from New York City. We were taking a walk around the neighborhood to explore when we passed by its charming building, where a sign outside was advertising a deal on cups of cheesy soup. I could not resist the appeal of this soup on a brisk autumn day, so in we went. I ended up ordering a Mount Antonio sandwich – their vegetarian mozzarella sandwich – as cheesy soup would, of course, be best paired with more cheese. We ate at a small table in the market, though now that we’ve lived here a few years, we have been appreciating this establishment more for the great takeout it provides.
Elm Street Market signage.
The building.
Cheesy soup.
I’ve enjoyed trying many more of the Elm Street Market’s sandwiches – I have never been disappointed (every time I’ve eaten lunch from here, I’ve been satisfied), but I have definitely found some sandwiches more remarkable than others. My two favorites are the “Maplelicious”, the perfect blend of turkey, ham, cheddar, and healthy additions like thinly sliced apples and spinach, and the “Wild Bill”, the market’s buffalo chicken sandwich. In both cases, the sauces really bring the sandwich to a standout level – the “Maplelicious” features Elm Street Market’s house-made maple sriracha mayo and the “Wild Bill” features a house made jalapeno sauce. I wish I had these condiments at home, as they are both top notch stuff. I also have a strong appreciation of the “Southshire Shrimp” sandwich, due to its uniqueness (it comes on a pretzel roll!) and the fact that it is literally overflowing with shrimp.
I have been fortunate to work near Elm Street Market, and the few days where I had the time, energy, and money to pick up one of their sandwiches in the middle of a school day were sweet. Speaking of money, the prices at Elm Street are reasonable. The price of sandwiches ranges from $6.95 to $10.49, depending on the ingredients used (vegetarian sandwiches are on the cheaper side). There are good selections of cold and hot options. If you want to beef up your lunch a bit you can make your sandwich order into a “lunchbox” for $14.50. If you choose this option, the sandwich will come with a cookie, chips, a pickle spear and a water bottle or can of soda. You can visit and/or order from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM on weekdays, and from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays. The Elm Street Market is closed on Sundays.
The “Wild Bill”
The “Maplelicious”
The “Southshire Shrimp”
Another really cool aspect of Elm Street is its daily special. Every single day, there is a unique sandwich available, often with a season twist (for example, a “sandwich of the day” in the spring might involve strawberries) . You can see what the “sandwich of the day” is by following Elm Street Market on Facebook or signing up for an email list. However, you should only do this if you want to be tempted to buy sandwiches on a daily basis – they always sound ridiculously tasty.
Outdoor seating available.
Safety precautions are serious business here.
Finally, I must mention that the Elm Street Market has been a great model of safety during the coronavirus pandemic. They enforce capacity limits (last time we went it was 2 customers at a time), are strict about mask wearing, and bring your order to your car to encouraging distancing as much as possible. There is also an area now set up to enjoy your food with outdoor seating, if and when the weather allows. This is a business that I feel confident takes health and safety seriously. I appreciate this attitude and with that and the general delectability of all of the sandwiches, I consider myself a very big fan.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Your Belly’s Deli
Your Belly’s Deli is another establishment my husband and I visited very soon after moving to Vermont, and continue to visit on a regular basis. In comparison to the Elm Street Market, this is more of a sit-down deli restaurant and there seems to be more of an emphasis on the hot sandwiches here.
While the sandwiches here are delicious, if you are going for a sit-down experience, I would recommend making sure you have a lot of room in your stomach – these sandwiches are very filling, and when you are eating on the premises, they come with chips.
The “Belly Up!” sandwich with chips.
Just as with the Elm Street Market, I have enjoyed trying different sandwiches with each visit. Here, since the sandwiches are so hefty and it’s hard to make a choice with so many tasty options, my husband and I will often do a half and half deal, where we order two sandwiches and we each have half.
My favorite sandwiches at Your Belly’s Deli (so far – there’s still plenty I’d like to try!) are the “Belly Up!” sandwich, which involves an excellent, savory combination of roast beef, roasted red peppers, cheddar, and horseradish aoili, as well as the “Turkey Rachel”, which is a turkey sandwich on marble rye that comes with coleslaw and Russian dressing on on it. I’m also a big fan of the “Green Mountain Cheese-State”, a grilled roast beef sandwich that is completely covered in melted jack cheese.
A charming menu.
Half and half, takeout: “Knuckle Sandwich” and the “Green Mountain Cheese State”.
The “Turkey Rachel”.
Aside from sandwiches, you can also purchase snacks such as chips and cookies and even Vermont-made beer and wine. The food is a bit pricier than the Elm Street Market, but all items are similarly priced – here, every sandwich is between $9.00 and $9.50. Your Belly’s Deli is open from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday, as well as on Saturdays. Its hours extend until 7:00 PM on Fridays and it is closed on Sundays.
During the pandemic, we have only ordered from here through takeout, though Your Belly’s Deli is open for indoor dining as of my writing this blog post in October 2020. Not having gone in during this time, I don’t feel I know enough about the establishment’s safety guidelines to form an opinion or comment on them.
In general, Your Belly’s Deli offers substantial and enticing meals. I would recommend a visit or, in times when one may want to be more careful, a takeout order.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
In the past year, I have had the fantastic opportunity to head to Manchester, Vermont and visit the Equinox Preserve three times. The first time, my husband, my energetic corgi Fiddle, and I explored all of the lower trails, as well as the absolutely gorgeous pond. The second time Fiddle stayed home and my husband and I got a great workout by climbing to the summit of Equinox Mountain (and, of course, back down). Finally, we brought Fiddle back to check out the trails in the middle (and to return to the pond because, man, is it beautiful). Each one of the 914 acres making up this stunning and well-organized area is a delight. It is a completely free way to spend a few hours or a whole day basking in the loveliness of Vermont nature.
The Lower Trails
If you look at the map of the Equinox preserve trails, you will see a great variety of trails with little elevation. These trails include the West Union trail, which is the entrance, as well as the easygoing Flatlanders Pass, the short but sweet Aspen trail, and the peaceful Red Gate and Snicket trails, and the awe-inspiring Pond Loop.
Floral life by Equinox pond.
Fiddle enjoyed the relaxing lower trails.
Can’t get enough of that pond-related prettiness.
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All of these trails are clearly marked and the map at the entrance provides helpful information. There are even suggested routes based on the time you have available, with the Flatlanders Pass to the Pond Loop being suggested for those that have an hour to spare. As mentioned (and pictured!), the pond is an especially noteworthy sight, looking especially grand surrounded by rolling green mountains stretching far into the horizon. We visited these trails during the month of May, which worked well as the weather was comfortable and the flowers were freshly blooming. I would love to come back and explore this area during another season – I imagine the pond would also be highly impressive to set sight upon during a Vermont winter.
The Middle Trails
A sunny path on the Trillium trail.
If you’d like more of a challenge than the pond loop and its neighbors, but aren’t up for a full mountain-climbing adventure, the preserve has a few longer trails with a bit more elevation that can meet those terms. These “middle” trails include the Mount Bluff trail, the Trout Lily trail, the Maidenhair trial, the Trillium trail, and the SVAC loop.
The Mount Bluff trail is noteworthy due to the fact that it connects to “Robin’s Lookout” – this route is recommended by the organization for anyone with around two hours to spare. From this lookout, you can take in a scenic view of the Battenkill Valley.
The SVAC loop includes outdoor art!
Very clear signs and markings are consistent throughout the preserve.
A trillium plant on the Trillium trail.
The Maidenhair trail includes some slight hills and the Trout Lily trail offers the chance to get more quickly from the Flatlanders Pass to the Mount Bluff trail, or vice versa, though the speed also comes at the cost of hills. The Trillium trail is generally wide and flat, allowing for a nice amount of sun while still providing cover from the surrounding trees. You can find the plant it is named for growing throughout (it’s so nice when things in life just make sense, isn’t it?).
The SVAC loop is neat, as its central stop is the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Considering that we enjoyed all of these trails during the COVID-19 pandemic, we did not experience what the interior of this art museum has to offer, but this is another reason I would like to return. Taking an art break in the middle of one’s hiking day seems like a unique spin on an outdoor adventure. There are some outdoor sculptures around the establishment, which can be appreciated whether or not you visit the full museum.
The Blue Summit Trail
The view from the summit of Equinox Mountain.
The Blue Summit trail is the trail to take if you’d like to climb Equinox Mountain. While it’s not Everest, it definitely takes a certain level of physical fitness and energy to tackle. According to the organization, this trail is recommended if you have “all day” but it’s doable in 4-5 hours, depending on how many breaks you take. (As you can probably tell, I am not a fast hiker – it’s hard to be when there are so many lovely things to take photos of all over every trail!)
The trail starts with a gradual incline but as you go on, the incline becomes steeper and flat sections are few and far between. The round trip of this hike involves 6.3 miles, and those first 3 miles are steadily uphill. Your legs will feel it for sure.
The sweetest and saddest monument to a beloved dog.
Signage at the summit.
The spring.
There is a reprieve a little over halfway up the mountain: there is a flat area with a bench and, a little walk away from the bench, a spring (pictured), where water bursts forth from a pipe. (As with all areas of this preserve, the way to the spring is clearly marked.) My husband and I happened to be climbing this mountain on one of the hotter days in late May, and appreciated how icy the water from the spring felt against our sweat-covered skin. The spring appears to be strategically located, as, following our cold water adventure, the trail seemed to be steeper than it was before (though perhaps it only seemed this way due to exertion).
The summit, in normal times, looks like it should provide some reprieve after the strenuous uphill journey, with restrooms and an indoor area constructed in relation to a monastery. I would have liked to find out more about this connection between the monastery and the mountain, but the inside of the viewing area (including restrooms) was closed due to the pandemic.
There were some relaxing aspects to the summit despite the indoor sections being closed; there were signs describing the views and several picnic tables. We sat at one of these tables for our usual hiking lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches plus a variety of snacks.
Before heading back down the mountain, we walked from the summit to “Lookout Rock”, which provided a pretty view, though it was similar to the view from the summit. On the path between the summit and the rock, my heart hurt deeply from passing by a gravestone of a beloved canine, who was murdered by a hunter in 1955. Etched on the stone was a poem about a dog’s love. While this affected me greatly emotionally, it did also give me some extra motivation to get moving back down the mountain to head home and spend more time with my wonderful dog while he is here with me. Considering that going downhill is more of a challenge for me than going uphill, this was helpful. When we completed the full trail, it felt like a true accomplishment.
All three of my experiences visiting the Equinox Preserve were very positive. I feel fortunate to live near such a spectacular section of Vermont nature.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
The Haystack Mountain summit: a lovely view on a lovely trail!
During this past summer of 2020, I did my best to discover as many new trails in the nearby area as possible. As you can probably tell from the existence of this blog, I absolutely love spending time outdoors and exploring the natural beauty of the picturesque state where I am now a resident. However, spending time in the outdoors seemed especially important during this particular summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic; I was acutely aware that an unusual and challenging school year lay ahead for myself as an educator, and was equally aware of the potential for a lot more time indoors than usual taking place this coming winter.
The point is: the Haystack Mountain trail was on my list of places to explore during the summer. I should note right now that there are two Haystack Mountains (that I am aware of; perhaps there are even more?) in Vermont: one in Pawlet and one in Wilmington. I visited the Haystack Mountain in Wilmington with my husband and my always-adventure-ready corgi, Fiddle, in late July 2020.
The start of the Haystack Mountain trail in Wilmington, VT.
Fiddle enjoyed the wet rocks.
The woods surrounding the trail.
Getting to Wilmington’s Haystack Mountain involved some less-than-paved roads that made us quite thankful that we were hiking in the summer, rather than during the potentially treacherous mud season. We arrived relatively early in the morning and only saw one or two other cars at this time, so it was fairly simple to maintain social distance during the ascent (the descent was another story). We also had the fortune of good weather on our side, with the sun shining brightly in the summer sky, though the ground was still somewhat wet from the previous day’s rain.
The start of the Haystack Mountain trail is a simple, flat gravel road that is very barely inclined. This road constitutes approximately the first half mile of the 5-mile trail. On the positive side, this gives you some time to get going before any serious hiking challenges (for example: roots, rocks, and steep hills) appear. On the less than positive side, it’s not as visually appealing as the rest of the trail, though this is still Vermont and there’s still green mountain state beauty to be found throughout this whole mountain trail.
After that first half mile, the Haystack Mountain trail gets a lot more lively; it gets steeper, with many roots and rocks throughout. Personally, I brought hiking poles to help with the balance on the unstable ground, and I was glad I did. (Even if you don’t bring poles, I would suggest at least making sure to wear a decent pair of hiking boots.) The plant life surrounding the trail also gets more interesting as you get deeper into the woods, There are wild flowers, ferns, berries, and more, as you head up to the summit. The trail narrows as you ascend, as well. We were generally going single file after that first half mile.
When you reach this sign, you are very close…
Roots and rocks abound.
Plant life on the trail: berries!
There is a sign that indicates when there is a mere 0.3 miles left to the summit, which you would see after hiking the for about an hour and a half, a little over two miles. The section of the trail following this sign is the steepest and most challenging part of this mountain adventure. However, I suppose if the short legs of a corgi can handle it, it could be worse! I was fine going up, but needed some help from my husband getting down, which is a regular pattern of mine when hiking (I believe it’s because uphill = using your leg muscles, while downhill = using your core muscles – I need to work on some core strength…).
Once we we reached the summit, the view was, of course, beautiful, with the green mountains seeming to roll on for miles and miles as we looked out. Another pair of hikers were up there, as well, and it seemed like there was room for our two groups but not much more. We stopped to eat sandwiches for lunch and just as we were finishing, a line to the summit started forming with multiple groups arriving. In normal times, the crowding would be an inconvenience, but it’s especially something to be aware of during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, considering how difficult it can be to maintain social distance.
Happiness after reaching the summit!
The descent was less than ideal in several ways. First of all, despite having hiking poles, I managed to get distracted for a moment (I’m never going to talk to my husband while on a downhill incline again!), slip on a loose stick, and fall backwards right on to my tailbone. This resulted in a less than comfortable hike down, and it ended up taking a few weeks (!) to fully recover. That was one thing and the crowds were another. Due to the fact that the trail was very narrow, it was a bit of a challenge to have to step aside frequently, not only for social distancing purposes, but simply so hikers could pass us or vice versa. Considering all of this, I was relieved when we reached the wider, gravel area once again.
Overall, I am glad I had the opportunity to explore this trail. I do not blame the trail at all for my fall! It’s a good workout with much natural beauty to offer, and an especially lovely view at the summit. The hike takes about three hours overall, so you can enjoy the adventure without it taking up your whole day. However, I would caution anyone who is planning to visit to consider how narrow the trail is and how little space there is at the summit. I’d imagine this trail is best to visit during the early morning hours on a weekday, if possible, or perhaps during the very early morning or late afternoon on a weekend. The views at the top are absolutely worth the challenge.
Freshly Vermont rating: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
