MY ADVENTURE INTO THE WILDS OF VERMONT WITH A GREAT GUIDE

Staying at Vermont’s Phineas Swann B & B Inn, owners Lynne and Darren Drevik arranged two fabulous excursions for me with Keith Sampietro who together with his wife, Lori, brings you into days of adventure in the Green Mountains’ area. All  outings are custom designed to what you want; they’ll safely make your outdoor dream happen no matter how intrepid it may be. I was keen on taking a scenic tour starting from Montgomery Center where my B & B was located. 

Keith is an amazingly skilled man whose love of the outdoors is matched by his many skills. As head of Montgomery Adventures, nothing is impossible for him. He ably fulfills your outdoor wishes, and he does it safely. He is an Archery and Hunter Safety instructor, once placed third in America’s Nationals breast stroke competition. But perhaps what really blew my mind was the fact that Keith lived six months on a glacier in Alaska. His home was a tent, but he was on the move a lot as a musher with 35 dogs.

He presently owns 25 dogs in his basic-needs Montgomery Center home located in the back woods.

 

My first day with Keith and Lorie, I was treated to some pastoral views and lots of waterfalls.

Keith and Lori Sampietro at the Creamery Bridge

I was treated to many sites, including several of the seven remaining 19^th-century covered bridges. There used to be 13. These vintage structures have made Montgomery Centre the covered bridge capital of America.

Keith introduced me  to water bubbling from mountains and to one of several new husky pups.

Keith is the proud owner of 37-year-old Patches, his 16-foot 6-inch
- long canoe. Despite many patches on it, it’s as safe as can be. Keith took me over to Belvedere Pond which offered close-up views of loons. I wanted to see loons on this September trip and Keith made it happen. Canoeing along quietly, we became visitors to a family of loons. We spent a good hour observing them.

The following day, we headed out to the Green River Reservoir, about 45 minutes away from the Phineas Swann B & B Inn. 

The staggering beauty of its 15-mile length is pristine purity at its finest. No motor boats are allowed, and the designated area for campsites positioned very far apart ensures number restriction for each site. It’s hard to believe the Green River Reservoir is part of a dam, but two rivers – one flowing in and one flowing out keep this environment fresh and natural.

Setting out on this vast bastion of clean water was humbling. I witnessed Keith’s herculean strength. 

 Out into the reservoir of beauty

He looked pretty relaxed, even though I had just watched him hoist Patches off the top of his Highlander vehicle, load tons of gear, including waist-high waterproof bags carrying heavy items, a heavy but sleek quiet electric motor into the wheel barrel and then take it to the shore where he had placed Patches. Finally he had to load everything all in the canoe.

Keith is extremely knowledgeable. He pointed to the many islands we passed, such as Finger Island. 

The beauty continued.

Nature' s bizarre creations stood out as we motored to the end of the lake.

 We were on our way to the wetlands to see if we could spot more birds and some otters. Although there were no otters, we watched some geese resting on the water. Mid lake, we saw two loon families with their babies. This was a joyous sighting for me. Keeping a distance we were able to get close enough to hear the little sounds of hooting they emitted, while overhead, we heard loon waling.  Sometimes we paddled; other times we simply stopped to hear the beauty of silence. We docked at campsite 13, to take a mini-stroll and enjoy the private tranquility of this remarkable reservoir.

Keith revealed that of all the places in Vermont he has trekked into, this is his favourite place. I agree. The waterholes I visited were rugged and refreshing, but this lake is unforgettable. 

Make sure to book with Montgomery Adventures to enjoy so many aspect of the North Kingdom. What ever you want, Keith will fulfill it. Lori organizes your own photography tour as well. Keith used to work as a professional photographer as well in Manhattan, but now he used his Lumix camera on each trip. Photos he takes are amazing and they are yours to keep. It would seem that your every wish becomes Keith and Lorie's command, and they do it without any hassles.

They are your personable multi-skilled guides. Getting to know them is as inspiring as the trips they take you on.

 

Visit: www.montgomeryadventures.com

Email them at: mthavensledogs.com

TILTON INN AND ONIONS PUB & RESTAURANT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Original, restful and a foodie favourite

Unique and full of character, this comfortable 1875 country-style inn puts you within easy driving distance to the Lake Region's major attractions. A New Hampshire gem, the picturesque inn is located opposite the Winnipesaukee River in the quiet town of Tilton. The white clapboard inn is owned by Allan and Kathy Powell, a super hardworking couple whose combined hosting élan has been bringing great experience to the table. In 2010, they bought the inn, and after some serious renovations, the establishment has earned an enviable reputation, not to mention several awards. Still, its low key unpretentious atmosphere is what draws the crowds.

Allan who hails from Bermuda is a restaurateur with considerable business acumen. He owned Bermuda’s Wharf Tavern for over 11 years and Freddie's in St. George, Bermuda.  Possessing a UNH degree in Management and Culinary Arts, he then attended Johnson & Wales  U. in Rhode Island for four years.

On any given day, you’ll see Kathy multi-tasking – toting a pile of housekeeping linens upstairs, taking orders in the Onions restaurant, greeting folks at the door, and tending to business in the office. The low-key power couple have the knack for keeping inn folks happy and unbelievably well fed.

A remarkable restaurant and pub

Folks from all over come to partake in the fun pub. Opposite it is the acclaimed Onions Restaurant. The menu has a Bermuda twist to some of its dishes, but most are simply divine creations concocted by chef Bret Mailhot, who’s been cooking for 40 years. He’s worked at the Marriott and even owned his own restaurant in Dallas. The food fare is as exciting as can be. With popular appetizers and main dishes known for savoury flavourings to create dining excitement, the menu offers intense taste delight. Palette- pleasers bring British fish and chips to the table, and there are bangers and a burger of caramelized onions – it’s addictive. 

Char-grilled fare includes lamb, shrimp, steak and chicken.  how about deep fried chicken tenders? How delectable is that? Very, according to one girl who told me they were the best in the county.  her dining companion raved about the eggplant parmigiano  Five sea specialties, such as rustico shrimp is a top hit with its wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, black olives, sun- dried tomatoes and garlic. Five main meat dishes make choosing what to have a challenge. Onion Wellington is a fillet mignon with caramelized onion and fish demi-glace wrapped in puff pastry and baked a golden brown. I want to try that one next time. An array of nine tasty pasta dishes  salads  and soups - some which bring Bermudian taste accents boldly into the picture is on thte menu. Their fish chowder is one such example of this. I heard it's sensational. Tilton Restaurant tips its hat off to the island's cooking.  Remember that Bermuda onions are sweet, so no need to be shy about ordering any dish with onions in it.




I had the salmon topped with mango salsa the last night of my four-night stay. It came with a risotto that deserves its own award – the best I’ve ever tasted. The salmon was so tender, I gobbled it up as greedily as I did the crème brûleé dessert. 


Settle into the pub before you eat or have a drink afterwards. You may meet Allan here who enjoys smoozing with guests. But if he’s not visible, he’s probably back in the kitchen. Need anything, ask Allan! By the way, you can eat your meal in the pub; they'll bring it to you.  Their beer list is extensive. I loved the Long Trail and Blue Moon beer. Wine of course is served there. They also serve their own specialty drinks. What a great place!

Rooms Resonate history

The advantage of this place is it makes for an informal eat and sleep stay. Sleep upstairs in one of the well appointed rooms, then head down for lunch and supper. You need never leave the place.

Because some pretty illustrious entrepreneurs spent time in Tilton, rooms are named after these folk. There’s the Thomas Edison room, Henry Ford room and the cozy Lawrence Moss. I stayed in the spacious Charles Tilton room. Each one has its own special décor.

These rooms are pointers into Tilton’s history. There’s a book at the entrance that tells Tilton’s story, naming some if the important men and women who contributed to the town’s prosperity. The inn is certainly a big part of the history. They say there were three fires here in the space of 100 years, and that one girl named Laura was left behind. Paranormal experts were called in after a sighting in the inn, and the conclusion was the inn is indeed haunted.

Tilton Inn and Onions Restaurant & Pub is located at 255 Main St. Tilton, NH. 
Visit: www.thetiltoninn.com
Email: tiltoninn@metrocast.com

Click here to read about NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LAKES REGION

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LAKES REGION: EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES WITHIN A BACKDROP OF NATURAL WONDERS

 

 

Cruises, Hikes, Rural Roaming, Village Exploring

Last year I visited New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, and was profoundly impressed with its rugged beauty. Magnificent loon-filled lakes and mountain forests with walking trails traveled on by humans and critters alike converge to create that “wow” factor in scenic appeal.

The region’s endless treed canopy comes with its own chameleon agenda. Fall turns the region into a riot of color.

                                   When winter arrives, everything glistens white. 

 

Twenty percent of the region is a woodland wonder of birch, oak, hemlock, maple and pine, but it's the lakes that take the lion’s share of sunset splendor.

Free and Easy Living

The Lakes Region is a natural template for rejuvenation. Head for the mountains, linger on the lakes, let out your loon calls, and immerse yourself in farm settings where country roads are lined with colorful clusters of wild flowers, scrappy shrubs and purple wheat grass. 

 I longed for the region's sense-enlivening surprises whose rural mystique makes you want to pack up and move there. And so I returned.

I parked my car to watch wild turkeys waddling along a field.

                  The best sighting was a black bear cub bounding across the road. 

Four Days of Heady Experiences

For this second visit, I turned to the expert knowledge of the friendly folks at the Lakes Region Tourism Association. Amy Landers, Executive Director of the region and her associate, Kim Sperry are angels.  Their guidance was invaluable. Thank you!
 

They presented me with an itinerary that catered to my near-obsessive yen for nature, and fulfilled my quest for culturally authentic milieus of rural life. 
The next four days were packed with experiences that pleased my senses, stimulated my mind and made my spirit soar as high as the bald eagle I spotted during Squam Lakes “Nature of the Lakes Cruise". Fortunately, all places were within an easy 10 to 30-minute reach by car. The route signs are excellent. No GPS needed! 
Visit: www.lakesregion.org

Kim Sperry, Executive Vice President, lakes region Tourism Association

                      Freedom at your feet, Heaven at your head, Scenery in between!

Terra firma, fresh air and a view meant for the gods – that was my reward for taking the 30-minute hike up the west side of Rattlesnake Mountain in Holderness. Its well-groomed 450-foot ascent was easy; even little ones can do it. Bring your dog with you.

                         Visit: www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/rattlesnake-mountain-trail

                    

               

                    Go Gunstock! 

 

Another panoramic open-air site is Gunstock Mountain in Gilford. Celebrating its 80^th anniversary, this place comprises hundreds of acres of beauty. 

There’s a spring-fed lake at the entrance.

A grand variety of year-round outdoor activities has been designed for the entire family, and so not every family member has to be “joined at the hip” in a single activity.

There are fifty downhill ski trails and four major cross country ski trails. An entire flat area at the foot of the escarpment is dedicated to teaching cross-country skiing to children. How smart is that!?

                         For summer adventure, hop on the mountain coaster ride.

Adding to the rush is the zip lining from various heights (4000 feet from the top of the mountain and 3800 feet from the middle of it).

There’s even a “before-you-zip along” mini training session for kids and adults.  A trailer area also accommodates those who wish to summer here. 

             
                An authentic rustic style country lodge has hosted many a wedding.

Gunstock is a gorgeous four-season fun and outdoor recreation. Interestingly, there are four vintage ski jumps that are slated for “resurrection”.

 

I took the chairlift up the 1400-foot mountain, then hiked down Brook trail with Amy Landers.

                        

                                               

                                                                          Visit: www.gunstock.com

Lakes Alive!

When it comes to water, a bountiful bastion of some 1,300 lakes and ponds spread throughout the region. The largest is Lake Winnipesaukee. With an area of 183.90 sq miles and a depth of 212 feet, this majestic lake has 258 islands, and many are lived on.

There’s even a mail boat delivery service – the only one of its kind in North America! A star attraction, Lake Winnipesaukee is best traveled in style. After all, its shores are lined with million-dollar “cottages” (estate mansions is more like it); and so the lake begs for prestige boat travel if you want to live like royalty for a moment. 
And that’s exactly how I traveled when I was booked to ride the Miss Meredith. I pictured myself getting on a humungous cruise boat such as the Mount Washington that travels here, but my mode for riding its waves was even more illustrious. I was escorted onto a handsomely polished mahogany speed boat that was once owned by the wife of Chiang Kai-shek! 

This happened at the Ekal Activity Centre in Meredith. They supply your own captain/guide to take you out. Leaving Church Landing where the Ekal Activity Centre is located, we traveled some 45 minutes along a part of Lake Winnipesaukee, to gape at the imperious houses on Governor’s Island – while pretending we owned one or two of them! 

Captain Jake, myself and the Miss Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee

This 5-mile pleasure ride was only 35$ US per person. You can actually reserve the boat for your own private group (seats seven comfortably), but you can ask Ekal to charter you one of the same ilk that seats ten people (15$ each) Your Ekal captain will be steering you into lifestyles of the rich and famous on Lake Winnipesaukee – and on a boat once owned by China’s most famous first lady!

Visit: www.ekalactivitycenter.com

Calling all Loon Lovers

Equally thrilling, was the exceptional Squam Lakes “Nature of the Lakes Cruise” in Holderness. This marvelous 90-minute excursion leaves right across from the Science Centre (more about this extraordinary place later). The cruise brings you close to loons without causing them any threat. We rode on a comfy pontoon steered by Margaret, an experienced naturalist who invited us to do our own spotting of bird life. Binoculars were handed out for close-up viewing. 
How thrilling it was to spot a mother loon swimming towards her chick. When they reunited, Margaret explained that the little chick was probably hiding out of sight to avoid danger that her mother had spotted. 

We also saw a bald eagle, and some mergansers and a lone red throated loon that seemed lost in time. Squam Lake was formed by a deep glacier some 12,000 years ago. Its picturesque shoreline extends 60 miles. Margaret handed out a replica of a loon egg and the skull of a bald eagle. 

 

The Loon Preservation Committee monitors loons on New Hampshire’s lakes, studying their habits, rescuing them, examining diseases and they even got the state’s fishing laws changed to prohibit lead jigs which kills loons once swallowed.                                                                         (Click here to read about their work). 

                                     Educational and exhilarating, this cruise is unforgettable.

Visit: www.nhnature.org

Visit: www.loon.org

Garden Glory

Tarbin Gardens is a mother-son labor of love endeavor. I met up with Richard Tarbin and his mother, Jackie – both born in England.To enjoy the gardens, a special Turkish tea is served that makes it way to Tarbin Gardens all the way from Denmark. This typifies the family’s love for the exotic and rare – as seen in the gardens, described as English landscape style gardens.

Aside from lilies, hostas, hydrangeas, and oodles more, they grow china vines, kiwi, quinces, Japanese silver pines, pineapples plants, blue yucca, senna, the seven sons flowering tree and so much more. Still not tea, though!
                                                                    

 

The gardens with their wild-like, non-manicured look are brimming with 1000 species of all kinds of flora sprawled out over five acres.

Every seed and bulb – count 1000 tulips among that -  has been lovingly planted by Richard, a gifted horticulturist who began the garden back in 1978 after 40 bulldozers came in to do away with the massive tangle of trees. 

Greenhouses, ponds, wrought iron benches and a bridle pathway make Tarbin Gardens a rare retreat for serenity amidst fairy-tale flora magic.

 


Homemade scones with Devon clotted cream and jam are also served here. After all, this is an English garden! Bring on the tea!

                                              Visit: www.tarbingardens.com

Environmental Enlightenment

 I was eager to enter into unique love-of-the-land landmarks – the kind that that defy the normal and excite young and old alike, so the Lakes Region Tourism Association suggested Prescott Farm in Belknap County.

Its idyllic pastoral hills, gentle valleys and pastures cover 160 acres. Here, environmentally-conscious educational programs happen with wonderful workshops and play areas for kids in nature.

One such creation includes an outdoor, mini-makeshift “kitchen” with a vintage aluminum sink, pots and pans and tiny antique "burner" for “cooking up” a truly organic meal made from leaves picked off the ground. How imaginative!  

For four months, starting in July,  an array of courses on earthy educational themes are shared by parent, grandparent and child alike.  Start walking!There’s a fall polliwog excursion into the forest, fields and gardens at Prescott, along with mushroom foraging. Much to do and much to learn while journeying into nature.

   What a wonderful black walnut tree - the largest in the county, and it's right here!

So events get more and more original as summer fades. Attend a cider pressing party, an acorn eating class, and don’t overlook the sugar shack where maple syrup is made.



                    

Want to learn how to turn raw sheep’s wool into yarn? You can on October 28^th. Bread and cheese- making are offered, along with sessions on wild forest foods and fall foraging. There was also a three-month herbal series on harvesting for food and medicine that I sure would have loved to have attended. This extraordinary farm is not only wholly dedicated to ecology and the environment, but is intent on integrating us humans into it all; and that’s what makes it special. Environmentally educational, it’s where nature and us all are harmoniously united. 

You don't have to take courses or pay a single dime to explore Prescott Farm's trails, meadows and woods. It’s all free. Do it alone or with your family. 

For those who want to get back to nature and pick up skills to do it, Prescott Farm is the place to take your journey. This non-profit family-owned farm is a utopia!

Visit: www.prescottfarm.org

An Abandoned Village

Another tranquil destination is Canterbury Shaker Village. Founded in 1792, its unique heritage has left a legacy that’s embodied in the site’s 29 historical buildings – 25 of them still stand in their original state...  abandoned beacons of a time long gone.

 


One of the buildings is now used as a museum to display furniture and clothes the Shakers made.

Over 694 acres of outlying farm land, forests, ponds and trails spreads over this serene sanctuary of religious austerity.
The Shaker community practiced celibacy, communalism and confession in the presence of an elder. It’s described as “nuns and monks without the bolts and bars”. 

Yet, despite its strict adherence to the three above-mentioned Cs, the Shaker community loved music, stomp dancing to religious songs, learning how to play all kinds of instruments, even putting on plays.

  

School was obligatory.

Theatrical presentations often took place inside the chapel , but they usually centered around religion. 
Shakers were fascinated with technology, and so they developed innovative ways to be totally self-sufficient with the emphasis on efficiency.

They had electricity, a printing press and stoves.

                                                                                          

Dental care, an infirmary and meeting houses for discussion, printing, box making using cherry wood, baking and spinning were part of a daily routine. 

                                          
The community even had its own firehouse and library.

As my guide Becky explained, the community took in converts and acted as shelters for women whose life during those days could be brutal, if left widowed or homeless. It’s amazing to think that this community lasted over 200 years without the right for women to bear children. Is it any wonder this community of rural-loving folks endured? Its laid-back simplicity hearkens back to bygone days when you could “park” a horse instead of a car, and haul barrels of hay instead of plastic bags.

Guided tours, craft demonstrations, a lovely museum, and a big barn serving locally-made light snacks enliven this historical site.

Visit: www.shakers.org

A Sensational Science Center

Reserve at least two hours to explore the phenomenal Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Unique exhibits, trails, wetlands, fields and the splendour of Kirkwood Gardens at the entrance (a moving story in itself about its creator) are all palpably inspiring. 

Expanding beautifully over 232 acres, the center is a paradise of sorts; you won't find any concrete buildings here. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, this center has cleverly turned science into a kind of natural Disneyland where games full of rich learning experiences leave an indelible imprint through hands-on participation. Although there are no rides as such, the amount of knob pulling, button pressing, ducking, scrambling and ear phone listening to get answers to all kind of challenging questions – all presented in super creative ways is exciting, even exhilarating. 

Exploring underground life as certain critters do, ducking, climbing into a huge squirrel’s nest, descending slides and enjoying an enormous oversized rope spider web

 -- these are only "raindrops" in the grand scheme of natural science discovery here.

Experience how dynamic our earth is by witnessing “Water Matters”. It consists of 18  water-related exhibits -- all fascinating, but the rainfall one was really ingenious.

There's a centerpiece of kinetic colored sand representing different geographical elements. You can actually play with the sand, molding it to shape your landscape. Hold your hand over it, and your hand becomes a rain maker changing topography. You’ll see how mountains, valleys and hills change as water flows into them. Of course, there really is no water; it’s all in your hand. That’s what I call magical learning.

Aside from the umpteen ecological and environmental workshops offered by the center, there's another educational surprise: a Montessori school right on the premises – the first of its kind in New Hampshire. Called Blue Heron School, it’s nature-based; the entire center becomes a field classroom for the school’s children.

Live animals are here as well, including, two mountain lions, two bears, eight raptors, three minks and two foxes, deer, otters, even coyotes – all in spacious caged habitats, of course. The only animal that wasn't real was the moose poking out near a pond; but you could have fooled me!

Don’t forget to purchase your ticket across the street for the Nature of the Lake Cruise, run by the inimitable Natural Science Center.

Visit: www.www.nature.org

Click here to read about Tilton Inn and Pub & Restaurant