Fingers Crossed for Snow

My husband Dave snowshoeing last winter in Stowe.

I was expecting at least a little bit of snow to blanket my yard in northern Vermont this weekend. For the past two years, we've had at least one major storm around Thanskgiving, so I figured we were due for a big winter blast.

My plan for Saturday was to work off all of that turkey and stuffing with a snowshoe trek in the woods behind my house. But it never happened. The snow held off, and I was too lazy and full to exercise anyway.

Thankfully the higher elevations and ski areas, including Stratton, Jay Peak and Killington, did receive some snow over the weekend. But the lack of any significant snowfall in recent weeks has forced several Vermont ski resorts to delay opening. Still, we're hoping Mother Nature will cooperate over the next week and deliver a major storm.

If you want up-to-date information on openings and snow reports, here are some Vermont ski areas to follow on Twitter:

@boltonvalley
@jaypeakresort
@killingtonmtn
@madriverglen
@mountsnow
@okemomountain
@skimagicvt
@smugglers_notch
@strattonresort
@stowemtresort
@sugarbush_vt

For up-to-date conditions for skiing, riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, you can also follow the Vermont Ski Areas Association @ski_vermont or visit www.skivermont.com.

Natural Wonder: Quechee Gorge

Quechee Gorge is a magnificent 165-foot-deep chasm that was sculpted by glacial activity some 13,000 years ago. Flowing through the 3,000-foot-long narrow gorge is the Ottauquechee River, which winds through Windsor County and eventually feeds into the Connecticut River.

Quechee Gorge, which is part of Quechee State Park, is Vermont's miniature version of the Grand Canyon. This popular scenic attraction is also Vermont's deepest and longest river gorge.

Incredible (and a bit dizzying!) views of the gorge can be seen on Route 4 from the Quechee Gorge Bridge, which was built in 1911 and is the oldest standing steel arch bridge in Vermont.

The Quechee Gorge Bridge on Route 4.

November Frost and Sun

All of this sunshine is such a surprise. November in New England can be a dreary mix of gray, gloom, rain and sleet. Needless to say, the 11th month is one I occasionally dread. 

But lately the sky seems exceptionally cheerful and bright, making these past few weeks some of the most beautiful we've seen all year.

Temperatures have recently dipped into the 20s at night, only to warm up considerably during the day. Each morning we wake up to a thick layer of frost, which covers Vermont's hillsides with an icy glaze before the sun quickly melts it away.

Frost covers flowers in our yard.

Moosalamoo Natural Recreation Area

The 20,000-acre Moosalamoo National Recreation Area is located within the Green Mountain National Forest and generally extends from Ripton and Goshen to Brandon and Rochester. Here you'll find dirt roads, rolling fields, scenic waterfalls and pristine lakes.

This area, named after an Abenaki word for "the trails of the moose," offers more than 70 miles of well-maintained trails for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, biking, snowmobiling and wildlife viewing.

Like most of Vermont, a large portion of Moosalamoo's forested landscape was cleared in the 1800s for growing crops and grazing animals. The ill-fated plan to strip Vermont's land of protective trees 200 years ago was relatively short-lived.

While exploring the wooded trails of Moosalamoo, you might come across old family cemeteries, stone foundations, cellar holes and miles of stone walls built in areas that had been deforested in the 19th century. These pieces of history, now surrounded by tall trees, remind me just how far Vermont has come.

Delta Park in Colchester

Delta Park in Colchester is a 55-acre peninsula where the Winooski River empties into Lake Champlain. The park includes the Island Line Trail, a 12-foot wide elevated walkway and bike path that gives visitors access to this restricted wildlife area. In designated areas you can walk, bike and explore the park's shoreline habitat, which has a stunning backdrop of Lake Champlain and New York's Adirondack Mountains.

Island Line Trail

View of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks near the park's entrance.

The Floating Bridge on Sunset Lake

The small town of Brookfield is probably best known for the Floating Bridge across Sunset Lake. Built in 1820 and replaced six times since, it's the only floating bridge east of the Mississippi.

The one-lane bridge was last reconstructed in 1978 and relies on 380 floats to remain on top of the water (the lake is too deep to support a pillared span). Unfortunately, the bridge has been closed to vehicles since 2008 because of needed repairs.

Even though cars are prohibited indefinitely, you can still easily cross the bridge on foot and get a wide view of the lake's natural beauty (although your feet might get a little wet in the process because the mid-section is partially submerged).

The 320-foot-long bridge is also a popular spot for fishing and is the main attraction during the town's annual ice harvest festival in late January.

Sunset Lake, south of the Floating Bridge.

Stick Season in Vermont

Most people who live in Vermont know all about stick season, that stark yet beautiful time of year between late October and early December.

Stick season is usually pretty quiet around Vermont since the leaves are mostly gone and the snow has yet to fall. But for a variety of reasons, locals tend to love the the serenity and comfort of this underrated season.

View of Camel's Hump from Waterbury Center.

The Notch (Route 108) between Stowe and Cambridge.

Equinox Pond in Manchester

One of my favorite places in Vermont is Equinox Pond, a scenic and peaceful spot located near the base of Mount Equinox in Manchester. Whenever I'm in Manchester (my hometown), I try to set aside some time to walk around the pond and admire the natural beauty of this special area.

The land surrounding the pond is part of the Equinox Preservation Trust, which was established in 1996 and includes more than 914 acres of protected land along the slopes of Mount Equinox.

The preserve offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for every season. A one-mile walking trail loops around the pond while horseback riding, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking are permitted on the preserve's designated trails. Swimming and boating are not allowed here, and fishing requires permission from the Equinox Resort.

And last but not least: dogs (well-behaved ones anyway) are welcome.

Protected Places: Mills Riverside Park

Mills Riverside Park in Jericho is enjoyed year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, and local community events. The park, located off Route 15, includes 216 acres of open meadows and forested hillside.

Established in 1999 by the Jericho-Underhill Land Trust, the park preserves one of the most beautiful vistas of Mount Mansfield, a view that has been treasured by residents for more than two centuries.

On any given day at the park you'll find parents pushing strollers, kids playing football, and neighbors strolling wooded trails. Mills Riverside Park is also a popular spot for pet owners and includes an "off-leash" area where dogs can run and play.

All Saints' Day: Classic Vermont Churches

Starksboro First Baptist Church

Lincoln United Church

First Congregational Church in Manchester Village

Weston Community Church

In honor of All Saints' Day, here are some photos of Vermont churches in Starksboro, Lincoln, Manchester and Weston. (I have a special affinity for the last photo -- I was married in the Weston Community Church in 2004).

Churches with white steeples or square cupolas are iconic landmarks in most of Vermont's 251 communities, and are generally located in village and town centers. The oldest church in Vermont is The Old First Church in Bennington, which was built in 1805.