Category Archives: Vermont

March 13, 2008

Leading up to March 13th, 2008, I was preparing for my life changing trip. My car had been looked over, new tires put on, tearful goodbye’s said, boxes packed with what was being shipped, car packed and everything else was snugly tucked away at my parents. We even went to the Lincoln Inn in Essex to have a final Tuesday night ritual listening to bluegrass. My roommate and I were regulars, they would save us a table and know what we were ordering every week – oh what was I leaving behind?! On the 13th, I woke up around 4am, planning to begin my long journey around 5am. The temperature outside was around 10 below. Just a little on the chilly side. (It’s amazing how weather is, I talked to my mom today and it was 75 degrees in Vermont!). Alright, back on track… my car was packed, and ready to go. I did my tearful see ya laters with my parents and brother and we were off. I say we – Sy had flown up to take the 2,000 mile drive to Texas with me.

(This picture was taken a couple days before we left at Oakledge Park in Burlington, VT.)

The first leg of the trip was going to take us from Northern Vermont over to New York and down to Philadelphia where we were going to stay and catch up with my friends from college Audrey and Dave. Seriously, I haven’t seen these two since this visit and it’s long overdue but I was so excited to spend some time with them. Looking back, I remember this surreal feeling like “am I really about to do this?”. Moving out of state was always something that I had in my mind. “If I move and hate it, I can always come back so why not do it” was really what I was thinking. I also remember this feeling like, once we get through Kentucky, I can have a sigh of relief. I’m not really sure why, I think I was more nervous that something was going to go wrong with my car than anything else. Have I mentioned I’m slightly paranoid?

After an eight hour drive over Lake Champlain, thru the Adirondack Mountain where the snow was so high we couldn’t see the picnic tables at the rest areas, trash flying around in dirty Jersey and over the Ben Franklin bridge, we finally arrived at our destination in historic Philadelphia, where there was no snow. And most of all – Hello Audrey and Dave!

Jay Peak Revamped!

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Jay Peak is the closest ski resort to where I grew up. I’ll be honest, as a kid it never interested me as I didn’t learn how to snowboard until college (and I became addicted). I was more into snowmobiling with my dad. Once my new addiction kicked in and especially after I moved to Texas, I try to make it a point to go back and hit the mountain during the holiday visit home. Yes, I’m the one who is still nervous as all hell getting off the lifts.

In recent years, Jay has begun to revamp itself so while I was home, I had to go up and see “what’s new”. That’s what we do when we live in the country folks!

A couple years ago, Jay first introduced a new golf course, which I hear is fantastic (although a little pricey). Maybe I will have to try out my swinging skills in the future, maybe when there’s no snow.

Next, came the ice arena where you can go curling (I’ve heard), ice skating and play hockey.

While we were visiting, the NAHA (North American Hockey Academy) were playing. Jay Peak is now their home. The NAHA is an elite hockey academy which attracts talent from around the country. Oh, if only I could be a hockey player! The facility was really nice!

The last time I went to Jay was probably December 2010, to ride. It was awesome as usual and I got to check out the new lodge which is pretty fantastic in itself. I really love the bar atmosphere. It’s rustic, full of history and just good Northern Vermont comfort.

This (above) is the “old” lodge. Although the old hotel is gone, I”m glad they kept this building. If the walls could talk…

This is leading up to the new building – the Tram House Lodge. This building houses lodging, a spa, Aroma Cafe, Annie’s Table, Tower Bar and more so, it is a place to come in and grab some food to warm up or take a break.

I think the best part about this building is that they tried to keep everything local. Luke Hardy from Montgomery built the furniture and if you are there and look close enough they used sap spouts on one of the coat hangers. The hallway shows the history and the thought process used when planning this building. It’s really nice to see it all come together.

I love the furniture that can be found in here. If anyone wants to make me some of this for Christmas, my birthday or just because it’s Tuesday (or Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday even)… I’ll gladly accept!

This is the bar in the middle of the… bar. They have the sheave wheels from an old chairlift. It’s awesome!

When I went home last week to visit, I went up to check out the new hotel and the Pumphouse (pool). To be honest, I’m not really sure what I expected but it sure wasn’t the Jay that I remember. The old hotel, was, well, old. I never went in there, never had a reason to. The new hotel is gorgeous. It reminds me of the bigger resorts out west. Now Jay is like a little hidden gem in the Northern Vermont. The hotel wasn’t open yet but I’m sure that once they are complete, it is just a matter of time until they are filled.

Now let’s talk about the most exciting part – the Pumphouse!

Doesn’t it look like fun?!

Wheeeeee!

There is actually a waterpark at Jay Peak. I need to say it again because I almost don’t believe it – there’s a waterpark at Jay Peak! It’s gorgeous and it looks like a ton of fun! I checked this place out on a Tuesday. Obviously, there wasn’t a lot of people there considering mid-week and the fact that there wasn’t a lot of snow at the time. I’m going to predict that this time next year, packed.

Now, I’m going to say, a lift ticket at Jay Peak is a little expensive. $75 for a day pass for out-of-staters and $50 for a Vermonter pass. Maybe I should’ve just said $75 for Flatlanders and $50 for Vermonters. I think I paid $75+ for a day lift in Lake Tahoe and the mountain was much bigger. Anywho – it’s a little steep if you plan on coming for more than one day or plan on coming with a family. It all adds up quickly. Hopefully, it doesn’t get too expensive that the locals can’t come play in their own back yard or even take a mini vacation if they wish.

The best part about all these changes are the number of jobs that Jay has brought to the area. There’s a limited amount of jobs to begin with but this expansion is bringing over a hundred new jobs and the new owner is receiving a ton of credit. Well deserved.

If you check out Jay, let me know how you like it!

Vermont – December 2011

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This year I went home for an early Christmas, two weeks early to be exact! Yes, I’m very blessed! Santa makes a special trip just for me! haha. Once I got there, it was relaxation central! I barely left the house thus my recap will not be very extensive. So I’ll catch you up on just the key bits of information.

Taken while driving about in Enosburg Falls. Jay Peak off in the distance.

One of our annual traditions, heck maybe it’s our only tradition, is my mom and I make sugar cookies every year and yes I still leave a couple out for Santa with a note. He writes back, so why not keep doing it!

They’re so pretty! They were also delicious, in case you were wondering!

My parents Christmas tree. For years now, it’s been kind of a running thing that my mom gets a tree that isn’t really as full as you may typically find. I think in high school I hated them, now it’s kind of nice and if it wasn’t there I would probably be a little disappointed. Check it out.

She’s a little bare in some spots. Branches thin and far apart. The ornaments vary, there’s some newer ones and some that are a little older. There’s a lot of history on this tree! Check out the string of popcorn. I’m not sure if you’ve ever strung popcorn but what a pain the in a$$! My brother actually cut this tree down. Apparently he had to climb eight feet up the tree to cut the top down. Vermonters I tell ya!

My brother and his new wife also needed a tree for their apartment. I guess she is a little more particular about what tree she would like so we went out to a tree farm in Bakersfield. Last year this tree farm provided free trees to families with a member in the National Guard who were in the Middle East. Very nice of them, so she wanted to go back. It took us a while to find the right tree, but we did it!

Sawing a tree by hand is a lot harder than you think! I think loading it in the truck was the easiest part! Apparently I had a couple of guys watching me saw the tree down. Now it makes a little sense why some guy said “You did it!” to me when we were leaving!

I went into the town next door to find an ugly Christmas sweater for a party and they were doing visits with Santa and “sleigh” rides (there wasn’t any snow!) across the street – cute!

A HUGE pastime in our house is the game Tuc. My brother and I have been battling this game for as long as I can remember. It all began at our Memere and Pepere’s house and it lives on every time I come home. It’s a card / board game similar to Aggravation. I am proud to say that I am the reigning champion! YAY!

I was also able to visit with a few long time friends and I even got to meet one of their new babies! One and a half month old Alexa! So darn cute. She’s got the chubbiest (cutest) little cheeks. It’s kind of fun to go home and see everyone and being from such a small town you can always point out “what’s new” in a split second.

I guess the other big thing that my mom, Memere and I did was check out the new Jay Peak ski resort. I’ll post more on that in another post. I’ve got lots of pictures to come with it. Stay tuned!