Returning to Grafton Village

The scenic hamlet of Grafton is one of the most beautiful towns in Vermont. Located between Townshend and Chester, Grafton is a quintessential, classic New England village. In the heart of the community you'll find The Old Tavern, Grafton Village Cheese and the Grafton Village Store.

But Grafton is much more than just a picture perfect place. This vibrant community of 600 people has made a magnificent comeback over the years.

Prior to the Civil War, the town was home to more than 1,480 residents and 10,000 sheep. But Grafton eventually experienced difficult times as the town's population declined and the region's once strong wool industry collapsed. Farmers moved westward, buildings fell into disrepair and the town was no longer a main thoroughfare.

The Windham Foundation
In 1963, the Windham Foundation was established by a family with ties to the area to begin the process of restoring Grafton. The Foundation evolved over time and now also offers grant and scholarship programs and operates mission-driven businesses including The Old Tavern and Grafton Village Cheese. It also maintains a sheep program to help educate the public about Vermont's sheep industry.

The Old Tavern
The town's main landmark is The Old Tavern (pictured above), which has welcomed several notable guests throughout the inn's 200-year history, including Theodore Roosevelt, Daniel Webster and Rudyard Kipling. In recent years, Paul Newman was a longtime guest before his death in 2008.

It's easy to see why so many people are drawn to this beautiful, charming town. But it's Grafton's sense of community and spirit of creativity that keep us coming back.

Hiking to Lye Brook Falls

It takes a little bit of time and effort to see Lye Brook Falls in Manchester.

While visiting southern Vermont over the weekend, Dave and I took an impromptu hike to the 125-foot waterfall located deep in woods of the Green Mountain National Forest. Even though I was wearing flip-flops, a T-shirt and capri pants, we decided to give it a try.

Lye Brook is the longest waterfall hike in the state. Half-way through our 2.3-mile trek to the falls, we decided to keep going despite my poor choice of footwear. We walked along rock beds, tip-toed through chilly streams, and navigated narrow trails before finally reaching the falls. Needless to say, the hike was worth it.

Thanks to my friends at Vermont Life for suggesting this wonderful waterfall hike in the magazine's summer issue. Next time, I'll just have to remember to wear trail shoes.

Summer Destination: Waterbury Reservoir

Tucked away between Mount Mansfield State Forest and Route 100 is the 850-acre Waterbury Reservoir. Accessible by Little River State Park to the west and Waterbury Center State Park to the east, Waterbury Reservoir is Vermont's ninth largest body of water (the largest body of water within Vermont is Harriman Reservoir).

The reservoir was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as a flood control project to protect communities along Vermont's Winooski River.

It's hard to imagine now, but the reservoir was drained ten years ago so engineers could make extensive repairs to the dam that holds back the Little River. When the water level was lowered by 40 feet in 2000, Waterbury Center State Park was left without water. Little River State Park fared better with some water remaining, but not as much as before.

The reservoir's water level eventually returned to normal, allowing Waterbury State Park to reopen in 2007 after being closed for seven years.

The season for camping and swimming is upon us (finally!), so take note: Little River State Park is open mid-May to Columbus Day Weekend and is a popular camping site. Waterbury State Park, open Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, is open for day use.

For more information, visit www.vtstateparks.com.

Farmers' Markets Open for the Season

Spring fever has officially kicked in. On Sunday I ventured out to my first farmers' market of the season. I bought a hearty loaf of maple-cinnamon-raisin bread from Elmore Mountain Bread and spent the rest of the morning shopping for local produce, fresh flowers and honey.

Farmers' markets started to grow in popularity in the 1970s in larger cities and towns across the state. Now you'll find them in every corner of Vermont. The number of farmers' markets in Vermont has grown steadily from 19 in 1986 to more than 50 in 2010.

Several farmers' markets open for the season in May. The rest are up and running by mid-June and offer weekly markets through October.

Vermont Farmers' Markets
I've been to a decent amount of Vermont farmers' markets over the years. Here is a list of my favorite weekend farmers' markets:

Brattleboro Area Farmers' Market
Route 9, Brattleboro
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 15-Oct. 30, 2010

Bristol Farmers' Market
Main Street, Bristol
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June 5-Sept. 25, 2010

Burlington Farmers' Market
College Street and City Hall Park, Burlington
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 8-Oct. 30, 2010

Dorset Farmers' Market
Route 30, Dorset
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 16-Oct. 11, 2010

Jamaica Village Farmers' Market
Route 30, Jamaica
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 23-Oct. 10, 2010

Montpelier Farmers' Market
State Street, Montpelier
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
May 1-October 23, 2010

St. Johnsbury Farmers' Market
Pearl Street, St. Johnsbury
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
May 15-Oct.30, 2010

Stowe Farmers' Market
Route 108, Stowe
Sundays, 10:30 to 3 p.m.
May 16-Oct. 17, 2010

Waitsfield Farmers' Market
Route 100, Waitsfield
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
May 22-Oct. 23, 2010

The Scenic Route Through Smugglers' Notch

Rocky cliffs along Route 108.

The opening of Route 108 through Smugglers' Notch is a rite of spring in Vermont. This scenic road that winds through a narrow pass between Mount Mansfield, Spruce Peak and Sterling Mountain is closed to traffic during the winter months. Located near Vermont's tallest peak, the route opens for the season once the snow is finally gone.

The Notch, which connects Stowe and Jeffersonville, has a unique, prehistoric feel with giant boulders, thousand-foot cliffs and thick forests. In the spring, summer and fall, thousands of visitors descend upon the Notch to hike, rock climb and camp.

The Notch is also a popular spot for snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and ice climbing in the winter. (Since this stretch of Route 108 is closed once the snow flies, you need to park below the Notch and trek through the pass on your own in the winter).

History
Before Route 108 was built in the early 1920s, a footpath and horse trail crossed the Notch. Locals used the Notch to illegally transport goods to Canada in the 19th century, and alcohol was smuggled through the area during Prohibition.

After work on Thursday I decided to take the long way home and drove through the Notch for the first time since October. Even though the trees up there are bare and the ground is brown, it was still a pretty nice commute.

Lazy Days at The Dorset Quarry

This summer I'm looking forward to spending some time at the Dorset Quarry. Mined in 1785, the Dorset Quarry on Route 30 in Dorset is the oldest marble quarry in the United States. It's now a popular swimming hole for locals and visitors in southern Vermont.

Although the quarry is located on private property, public access is allowed. As a teenager I spent countless afternoons there with my friends. But the Dorset Quarry is more than just a fun hangout for high school kids (regarding my adolescent antics, I plead the fifth.). On a summer afternoon, you'll also find adults, families and couples enjoying what is one of the best swimming holes in Vermont.

See related post: Keeping Cool in Vermont.

The Path to Snow Farm Vineyard

Most of us know someone who ended up taking an entirely different career path than what they had planned. My mom started out as a teacher but ended up in real estate. My husband Dave received a degree in biology and went back to college to pursue graphic design.

Harrison Lebowitz of Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero, Vermont, studied to be a chemist, became a lawyer, and is now a full-time winemaker. Anyone who has visited Snow Farm Vineyard and tasted the wine will agree that Harrison made the right decision.

A Family Business
Established in 1996 by Harrison and his wife Molly, Snow Farm was Vermont’s first vineyard and grape winery. The winery, located on the southern end of the Champlain Islands, has maintained its mission of keeping the land open and working.

The winery is also very much a family affair. The Lebowitz's daughter, Tess, drew the wine labels for the Snow White and Rose Red wines when she was six years old.

Available Wines
Snow Farm's growing season is identical to Burgundy, France, allowing the winery to grow cooler climate grapes. The winery produces a variety of wines including Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, Riesling, as well as some dessert wines and a delicious ice wine. Snow Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between May 1 and Dec. 31.

Maybe when you think of Vermont, wine doesn't immediately come to mind. But Snow Farm does not disappoint.

Sculptures in Southern Vermont

The sculptures at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester always make me feel a little nostalgic. During my childhood I spent many hours at the center taking summer art classes, attending performances, and strolling the grounds. A few unusual sculptures were always there in the background, and they turned out to be what I remember the most about this beautiful place.

Last week I visited the Arts Center and came across some familiar sculptures as well as some new ones -- a painted horse, a mammoth key, and a giant screw.

If you travel to Manchester, take some time to visit the Arts Center's outdoor sculpture garden, impressive galleries, and scenic grounds. This weekend the center will open for the season and host a public opening reception for the outdoor sculpture exhibit on Saturday from 4-6 p.m.

Some places are not always as nice as you remember. But the Arts Center is even better than my sweet childhood memories.

The Yester House Gallery, a 28-room mansion, was purchased as the
permanent home for the Southern Vermont Arts Center in 1951.

Spring in Dorset

Tulips on the village green in Dorset, Vermont.

After last week's big snowstorm (most of the snow has melted), it was wonderful to see these colorful flowers in southern Vermont on Saturday.