I love nothing more than small towns… The type of place where you can explore the whole town without getting in your car. Where locals look you in the eye and engage you in conversation about more than just the weather. Where you can visit for a weekend and get […]
There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in Vermont. I’m not talking just farm-to-table, splurge-worthy restaurants either. From divey taco shops (looking at you, Mad Taco) to wood-fired burger joints (hello, Worthy Burger) to beer bars with the best nachos you’ll ever eat (I’m coming for you, Blackback Pub), […]
The sudden pop of leaves and blooms this week has me jonzing for full-blown summer. Cold beer, time on the lake and in the garden, and copious Vitamin D are on all my checklist for making the most of this summer, along with a host of summer events in […]
It’s a big day for craft beer in Vermont. Lawson’s Finest Liquids announced this morning that they will be opening a larger brewery, tap room and retail space in Waitsfield, Vermont, in the next year or so. Since Lawson’s start in the Mad River Valley eight years ago, locals and visitors […]
I’m one of those people for whom coffee is a sacred morning ritual. It’s not necessarily about the caffeine—although who doesn’t like an extra pep in their step—but rather the act of sipping down with a piping hot coffee before starting the day. With so many good coffee producers […]
It’s no secret that I drink a lot—maybe too much—Vermont craft beer. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know some of Vermont’s best brewers well. Truth be told, they fascinate me. It takes a certain type of person to dedicate themselves to mastering the art of craft beer in such […]
Between high school and college, I took on my first hospitality job at a Relais & Châteaux property in Darby, Montana: Triple Creek Ranch. I was fortunate to learn the ins and outs of fine dining from a chef who set the staff aside before service every day […]
A study a few years ago showed how much time Americans spend grooming by state. Not surprisingly, Vermont came in first with the least amount of time spent on personal grooming activities daily. 28 minutes on average, a full 10 minutes less than the 50-state average. Since I’ve been living […]
Waitsfield, Vermont is my go-to destination in Vermont for a night away. It’s a hop, skip and an Appalachian Gap from Middlebury and is home to some of my favorite restaurants and watering holes in the state (have you tried Mad Taco or Peasant yet?). The Mad River […]
I was stunned when I found out that Vermont is second only to Hawaii in destination weddings. But then again, it’s pretty obvious why… Vermont’s red barns, endless mountain ranges and quintessential charm—not to mention the talented wedding photographers, florists and chefs who call Vermont home—combine to create the perfect backdrop for rustic […]
Wooded cabins, quaint inns and rustic lodges are quintessential Vermont lodging options. But as Vermont becomes more of an international destination in all seasons, luxury resorts are stepping up their game and becoming popular choices for families and couples alike—and especially in ski towns. Topnotch Resort, located on 120 acres […]
I fondly remember when Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders took part in the Warren Fourth of July celebration every year. Bernie would stroll down the parade route on Main Street by himself—dressed in sneakers and an untucked collared shirt—waving to his people. For Vermonters, Bernie’s bid for the Democratic nomination is about more […]
Back in the summer of 2009 when Vermont was just starting to gain recognition as a leading producer of craft beer in the US, I finished the Vermont beer passport program from the Vermont Brewers’ Association in three days. Back then, it was manageable to drink your way around the state in […]
If I had to choose one town to live in for the rest of my life, I would pick Waitsfield, Vermont, every time. When I hit the peak of the Appalachian Gap and start making my way down into the Mad River Valley, I get a giddy “welcome home” feeling even though […]
Ask anyone who knows me well… I hate surprises. I am admittedly and openly a (recovering) control freak. If I’m going somewhere, I want to know where and precisely when. If I’m eating or drinking something, I want to know exactly what it is. Don’t attempt to surprise me with a […]