random 5 friday - random vacation thoughts

Happy Friday -

and a very happy birthday to my sister!

 it's time to join Nancy over at A Rural Journal for a little randomness

1) We were fortunate to begin our winter vacation with our daughters, Maggie and Laura.

Hiking the Overlook Trail  in a couple feet of snow was probably not one of my brighter ideas,

but we were pretty happy to have made it to the top.

2) Warming up between runs with a cup of hot chocolate,

Greg and I noticed a group of snowboarders taking photos of this snowboard hanging in the tavern at Bromley Mountain. Apparently an underdog - Alex, who grew up in Vermont, won Bronze in Sochi.

3) Turns out there were 16 Vermonters participating in the Sochi Olympics. 

This little state sure is proud of all their olympians!

4) Normally at this time I'd be feeling a little bummed out that vacation is coming to an end.

But not so fast - we are so lucky to have one of our very favorite couples joining us for the weekend!

:-)

5) Earlier this week, we got a call from our oldest daughter, Maggie -

letting us know she is headed to Georgia (today) a week earlier than planned to begin a through hike

of the Appalachian Trail.

This worried mom surely would appreciate all your prayers and well-wishes for her safety and well-being as she spends the next few months in the woods (eeek!!)

That's it for me - I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

ball mountain dam release 2013

We have had an amazing stretch of beautiful weather.

I can't image that white water enthusiasts could have asked for a nicer day for the

Ball Mountain Dam release this Fall.

Beginning at the Ball Mountain Dam, the West River enjoys a day of Class II and Class III white water.

All is calm on this side of the dam (you can also see the ski slopes at Stratton right behind the tower)

It's this side of the dam that draws rafters from all over the region.

trudging up and over the dam -

yeah, that was the only part that didn't look like too much fun.

I got a kick out of this enthusiastic rafter who shouted a big

"woo hoo" to me while I stood on a bridge taking photos.

We were having a great day hiking through Jamaica State Park and watching all the activity,

but I'm thinking these rafters were having a blast!

How about you - would you rather join the fun in the water?

Our World Tuesday

west river revisited

Last weekend we decided to head out with our guests for another snowshoeing adventure.
Or - I think that is - Greg and I decided to head out snowshoeing and
told our guests to be sure to bring their snow gear - they were going to need it.
Yeah.... we're gracious hosts...

It was a pretty day though,

 - and we all enjoyed trying to find catamount tracks.

Although, I'm pretty sure they were all dog prints.

And while I practiced taking photos with the lens I got for Christmas,

Greg took better photos with his iPhone.

Hmmmm, I kind of hate that...

And I won't say which is which.

A little frozen water for Wednesday

And while these photos may look cold,

the weather we have right now makes last weekend seem downright balmy!

Have a great week!

I'm joining Bluff Area Daily for Watery Wednesday

Thanks for dropping in!

watery wednesday - overlook trail revisited

Last Spring I hiked along the Overlook Trail in Jamaica State Park.

This time I ventured out with Chicago-daughter

- on showshoes.

It was a beautiful, sunny day - the first part of the trail follows the West River.

You can see it behind the trees - the reflection is so bright, it almost looks like snow.

-and a rare photo of me with Chicago-daughter

- wow it sure feels different on this side of the camera!

A kind lady saw me shooting photos of the river and offered to take a picture for us.

I'm hesitant to hand over my camera (you know, you can take the girl out of the city...)

but then - the image of a chase scene on snowshoes came to mind...

This is the section of the river called "the dumplings"

The snow on top of these boulders makes them look a bit more like marshmallows.

This was my first snowshoeing adventure, but it won't be my last.

I enjoyed it far more than I expected - and - I'm not nearly as klutzy on snowshoes as I am on skis.

Thanks for dropping in!

hiking the overlook trail

Over Memorial Day weekend, we had the good fortune of extending our weekend in Vermont a couple extra days. So, we headed on back to Jamaica State Park (through the main entrance, this time) to hike the Overlook Trail.

It starts out following the West River.

I really can’t describe how restful it feels to walk through the forest with the sound of the river by your side.

We didn’t get far when we were rewarded with this

I think I’ve only seen a lady slipper maybe once or twice
Greg is actually the one who spotted it. I’m so proud of him – he’s really getting the hang of this whole slowing down and smelling the roses thing – so to speak.

The hike passes by an area on the river called the “dumplings”. I bet you can guess why.

This is one brave tree, trying to grow right in the middle of that boulder!

Up to this point, we were really just leisurely strolling along the river. But as you may have guessed by its name “Overlook”, there is a little climbing involved.

I neglected to take pictures of this part – you’ll understand in a minute.

The reward at the top of the trail

Sooooooo

Thankfully, this was a fairly short hike and it would have been wonderful
IF
we had remembered the bug spray.

Seriously, who forgets bug spray when they’re going on a hike?!?

Of course – if you're looking for a full-body workout, you can do as we did and walk briskly while maniacally flailing your arms and slapping yourself.

Me? I already loaded my knapsack with spray, wipes, clip-ons...

Believe it or not, we still had a great time – but – lesson learned!

Thanks for dropping in!

hiking hamilton falls

Last weekend was a perfect weekend. Have you ever taken one of those magazine quizzes to find out something like - "What is your decorating style?" One of the questions will be “Describe your perfect weekend” and the choices will be something like:

a) Fly to Paris on a private jet for a weekend shopping spree
b) Go on a Yoga retreat at a secluded luxury spa for a weekend of pampering
c) Be a guest at the Academy Awards and party the night away with the stars

You get the point.
Yeah, my weekend was nothing like that.

My weekend began on Friday morning – waking up to the sound of birds outside my window and enjoying a cup coffee on the deck.

After flying home from San Diego on the red-eye (by way of Seattle) the day before, this felt like my own slice of heaven - and it set the tone for a very laid-back sort of weekend.

Friday was an unusually warm April day for Vermont, and perfect for hiking. After lazing most of the morning away, we headed to the deli counter of our favorite village market (D&K Grocery in Jamaica, Vermont) to pick up some sandwiches and water - necessary nourishment for our trek. Jamaica State Park doesn’t officially open for the season until May 4 (we didn't realize this at the time - the big "CLOSED FOR THE SEASON" sign clued us in), so we drove over to Ball Mountain Lake - which leads to the same trails.

Our hike began at the Ball Mountain Dam

As you can see, our incredibly dry winter has led to very low water levels.

Much of the hike follows the West River -

(yep, that's Greg peaking over the railing)

Even this far north -

woodland flowers are showing life

After hiking more than two miles (one mile uphill)

we arrived at the base of Hamilton Falls

Ummmmmm, yeah (or should I say, Ohmmm yea), Vermont tends to attract new-age hippies.

But this was the perfect spot to eat those sandwiches.

The only problem with beginning a hike at the top of the dam...

Yep, that's right - we have to go back up to the top...

We knew this as we walked DOWN the switchbacks at the beginning...

but somehow, it takes on a different perspective from this angle (oh yea, and after hiking a few miles).

Next time, we're starting at Jamaica State Park and hiking to the top of the falls.

One more view of Spring on the West River

I guess the fresh air made me a bit camera-happy.

A map of the hiking trails at Jamaica State park are attached here.

Thanks for dropping in!