Equally as interesting is The 251 Club of Vermont. If you’re seeking an authentic Vermont experience, you are invited to join over 6,000 members of the 251 Club in exploring the state while visiting its 251 towns and cities. Travel at your own pace, in a season or in a lifetime, by car, on foot, or whatever conveyance suits your style. There are no rules, no records to keep, no requirements. The expectation is that you will be inventive and adventurous in following the road less traveled to Vermont’s little-known corners, as well as its more popular destinations. And, where best to begin… at Pond Mountain Inn.
Period of Activity: Tonight, through January 10th, 2021
The Quadrantids have the potential to be the strongest meteor shower of the year, however the bright waning moon and a Winter Weather Advisory in affect, it’s quite likely that we won’t see much this year, but the weather forecast is changing, so keep your fingers crossed. The meteor shower is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere because its radiant point is so far north on the sky’s dome.
On the bright side, pun intended, the Lyrid Meteor Shower is not far off, April 16-30, 2021. The Lyrids are a medium strength meteor shower that has the potential of producing brilliant fireballs, and is also best seen from the northern hemisphere.
Star Gazing is especially good at Pond Mountain Inn with a big ski overhead and the absence of artificial light. Hope to see you in April!
The image, Quadrantid Meteors though Orion, is courtesy of Petr Horálek
Vermont’s Calvin Coolidge was the first president to extend a White House Christmas celebration to the American people. During the Coolidge’s first Christmas in 1923, he began the tradition of the National Community Christmas Tree. And, of course, the first Christmas tree came from Vermont as a gift from Middlebury College—a 48-foot Balsam Fir from the heart of the Green Mountains.
At 5:05PM on Christmas Eve, President Coolidge illuminated 3,000 light bulbs on the first National Community Christmas Tree symbolizing the spirit of Christmas and that the celebration of Christmas had begun.
Today, the White House Sends More Than 1 Million Annual Holiday Cards. President Calvin Coolidge sent out the first official White House Christmas greeting to the nation in 1927, penning a card on White House stationary that was reproduced in newspapers around the country.
“Silent Cal” received his nickname from his stoic and serious demeanor. However, in 1926, after receiving so many heartfelt gifts and Christmas cards from the American people, President Coolidge was so emotionally affected that he gave a gift of a gold coin to all the White House officials and staff members.
The Calvin Coolidge Homestead is less than one hour from Pond Mountain Inn. One of the most scenic drives through the Green Mountains of Vermont that takes you through historic villages, mountains, valleys and along white-water rivers—you’ll pass by farms and meadowlands. Take a look at our Day Trip Itineraries to discover your next adventure!
Today is the winter solstice, and the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, when the two largest worlds in our solar system appear closest together in the sky, the closest since 1623. Look toward the southwest just after sunset is the best time to see them—they set below the horizon shortly after.
The night sky at Pond Mountain Inn is magnificent for star gazing! The clarity and the absence of any artificial light we can see quite a bit—especially tonight!
Photo is NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (December 8, 2020)
This year finding “the perfect Christmas tree” was a little daunting. We searched alone in the “Christmas Tree Forest” at Dutton Farm in Manchester, Vermont for 30 minutes until it became apparent that we needed some professional help—back in the forest ten minutes later, now with a young Christmas tree professional, we continued our search unsuccessfully for more than an hour until dusk retired us for the day.
This way to the Christmas trees at Dutton Farm in Manchester, Vermont…
Kay’s found her spot in the forest…
Given our lack of success the day before, we’re back at it the following day, this time Kay had researched a Christmas tree farm in Castleton. A forty-minute drive through stunning countryside and over endless dirt roads, we were met again with disappointment. Even fewer trees and already four weeks since they had been cut. A brief visit had us back in the car then we discovered this very cool historic Vermont marker…
We finally found a beautiful Christmas Tree, a little smaller this year, but still perfect… On the way home we found this handsome Barred Owl only too happy to pose for us as cars whizzed by us on a somewhat busy road…
After a day of Christmas Tree Hunting we decided to have an early dinner at The Barn Restaurant, Pawlet, Vermont…
We had a lovely few days hunting outdoors for “the perfect Christmas tree.” We are both blessed and fortunate to live in Robert Frost’s Vermont.
Uncertain times need stimulating ideas. This summer and early fall, our guests have worked al fresco, others practiced outdoor yoga, one couple cooked 100% Vermont organic meals, another foraged for wild edibles, one forty-year-old guest designed her entire wellness program and helped us with ours! Three did our Adventure Wellness, and one dined on the fish they caught, and most everyone hiked over fifteen different trails. One couple is planning to work from home for six weeks at Pond Mountain Inn! The point is; everyone approached their time away from home much differently and were rewarded for thinking creatively.
The foliage is arriving 8-12 days early this year. Normally, peak foliage is around October 15 We’ll likely see the best fall colors late next week.
See the most amazing photographs in our October Newsletter, titled, Gorgeous Vermont Foliage: https://conta.cc/30usDeV
Fall pumpkins are simply enchanting – bright orange irregularly shaped pumpkins scattered about the fields, and the excitement of children hunting for the perfect shape and size only to realize it’s too large to carry! We have great pumpkin patches with some less than an hour away from Pond Mountain Inn!
Equinox Valley Nursery and Garden Center – 1158 Main Street, Manchester Center
Champlain Orchards in Shoreham is Vermont’s premier orchard. They are one of the oldest continuously operating family owned, ecologically managed orchards that is well worth the drive, just an hour from Pond Mountain Inn. Their method of growing fruit follows a strict and inspected eco-sensitive, minimally-treated and natural method as possible.
Kay and I continually seek out Farm To Table delicious food to prepare for our guests and this is one of our favorite places. We normally spend over an hour roaming about the orchards picking over a bushel of apples. This is truly Vermont’s premier orchard and we treated our guests to this wonderful experience. Afterward, we taste five varieties of hard cider – my favorite was Honeycrisp single varietal cider!
You can pick your own apples with over 110 varieties to choose from. Also, in season right now are fall raspberries, Asian pears, and European plums.
The Long Trail is arguably the most famous hiking trail in Vermont stretching 272 miles with another 166 miles of side trails. Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest hiking trail in the United States and was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail both of which come together for 100 miles in the southern part of the state. We have a list of nearby favorites some as close as a few miles from Pond Mountain Inn. See our favorite hike just minutes from the inn!
