Vermont Travel Notes

(c) Stephen Huneck

Play like a dog at Stephen Huneck's Dog Mountain on Sunday October 12. There are fields, ponds, beautiful views, and lots of happy people and pets at this annual event. There will be food (hot dogs of course), book signings by Stephen, and an "applause-o-meter" contest for largest, smallest, youngest, oldest, best kisser, best singer, farthest traveler, best swimmer, etc. Visit the dog chapel and leave a note or photo of a departed pet or just enjoy reading moving tributes that other people have left there. Located a little ways outside St. Johnsbury VT in the northeast part of the state but easy to get to from I-91. I wish we could take our pup but we, and by default he too, will be tending to inn keeping activities.


Our Cody - a lover of people and other animals

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus

Felted landscape by Weston Craft Show exhibitor Dorothy Riley, Flower Mountain Studio, 367 Graham Road, Chester, VT 05143, p. 802-886-1337, e. paintbox@vermontel.net

The Weston VT Craft Show has been selected as one of the prestigious Top Ten Vermont Fall Events by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. It is being held this weekend in quaint village of Weston VT.

Fifty craft makers are invited each year to this juried show and that means top quality items will be on display and available for purchase.

Weston is home of the Vermont Country Store, a large facility with room after room of interesting items.

Another nearby show is being held at the Chaffee Art Center in Rutland VT. This is their 47th annual fine art and craft show, and it too has been named a Top Ten Vermont Event.

While you are in the south central Vermont area, make your way over to the totally restored village of Grafton VT for the Fall Festival at the Firehouse on Route 121 a little east of the village. This is a community gathering with tag sale and BBQ. A great way to mix with the locals.

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor (except the Dorothy Riley artwork above)

Mount Snow

It's an Oktoberfest time of the year and this weekend it is Mount Snow's turn. Located near West Dover VT in the southern part of the state, this ski area is hosting its 11th annual Oktoberfest. It is being held in conjunction with 35th Annual Harvest Arts and Crafts Show. The surrounding area will be bursting with foliage color this weekend and the weather forecast is for mild temperatures. Get in that car and get going!

Newfane Festival

The Newfane Festival is celebrating its 38th anniversary. This is a classic Vermont village and features several buildings in a Currier & Ives setting. I highly recommend you stop in the village whenever you are in southern Vermont whether you can make it to this festival or not.

The festival this weekend has 80 vendors selling crafts and artwork including quilts, paintings, furniture, clothing,
pottery, and more. Also, you will find a food court, deli, fresh apple pies and cider, live entertainment, and children's activities area. Take a look at their super raffle here.

Newfane is located near Brattleboro VT which also is a great town to explore. Also, the villages of Dover, Bennington, Manchester, and Arlington are just a few minutes away and the drive this time of year is outstanding with fall foliage on the mountainsides.


Newfane VT classic architecture

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

Two hundred artists will be displaying their creations at northern Vermont's premier arts and crafts festival this weekend in the beautiful village of Stowe VT. This event is produced by the same organization that put on the festival in Manchester VT last week (see below). Like that festival, the one in Stowe has a live entertainment, and a wine and food court featuring including the Vermont cheese, beer, and sausage tent made with locally produced foods.

If you like fine quality crafts, don't miss this event - it is one of the best. And while you are in Stowe, check the local art galleries - there are several which have works from top New England artists. You can see a list here.

The event will be held at the Topnotch Events Field, about four miles from the village of Stowe on Route 108 (Mountain Road). It's a photogenic setting with the Green Mountain range nearby in the background.

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

Recommended Vermont drives to see fall foliage

"Where should we go to see foliage?"

That's a question we get several times a day this time of year. It's usually an easy question to answer because you can drive anywhere and see good color on the trees. Later this month, the number of good drives begins to dwindle of course and the task takes more research.

Much of the answer depends on whether or not the person has a particular type of drive in mind or is open to any suggestion. For instance, some folks want a drive on remote country roads while others would prefer to go to the mountaintops.

Some of our favorite drives are on the highways which often surprises people. But the highways here in Vermont are free of billboards and often offer sweeping vistas. It's better for the passengers who have time to look but drivers don't get as good view because they are busy driving and there are few opportunities to pull over and look around. In our area, Interstate 89 around Montpelier has some great views to the west. And the same highway traveling south from Burlington, has another great view a few miles south of Exit 12.

Around our location, Route 100 either north or south is a good bet. And Route 108 from Stowe to Jeffersonville through Smuggler's Notch is one of my favorites summer and fall.

Your innkeeper can tell you about the best local roads to drive but the Vermont Department of Tourism has also put together a web page of 20 recommended foliage drives. Many of these are lengthy adventures, some of them 100 miles and more. Of course, you don't have to drive the whole route but these suggestions are a good starting point.

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing does an excellent job of providing information about the state's popular fall foliage season. Click here to go to the state's Foliage Forecaster page. You will see the map shown above which you can automate or stop by clicking the dates alongside the map. It shows the foliage progression starting from the northern part of the state and the upper elevations, and then moving south and into lower elevations. Not every year has the same timing and some seasons last longer than others. The trees are very healthy this year from the rainy summer we had so everyone is expecting the colors to last a long time.

The VT Foliage Report report, compiled by reports from state is a great source of information about foliage all over the state and it provides recommendations for roads to drive. It is updated twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

One thing the Foliage Forecaster does not do is tell you the names of the counties on the map. nor are there any town names to help you serach for lodging. Here is a link to a county and village map so you can know where to look for lodging if you are not familiar with the state.

Fall Foliage Travel Planning

Here at the Grunberg Haus, we are full the first two weekends of October which is typical of most lodging places this time of year. However, we and many others have numerous weeknight openings. You have plenty of time left this month to see the trees in their full glory.

Last year was a spectacular year for color. This year is looking even better and may be the best we have had in many years.

If you are thinking of traveling to Vermont this fall, right now is the best time to get your plans pinned down.

Enjoy the natural fireworks!

(c) 2008 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus Inn