Tag Archives: Attractions

Northern Vermont Wine

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Northern Vermont Wine

The fall season is a great time to visit Vermont, but there’s so much more to do than look at the foliage! One of my new favorite things to do is to try out new wines. Between Texas and Vermont, the difference in wines is amazing so I’d like to share with two vineyards that I had the pleasure of trying while I was in Vermont!

East Shore Vineyard

East Shore Vineyards

(Disclaimer: Please note, I did receive a free tasting at East Shore Vineyards for my review. As always, all opinions are my own.)

East Shore Vineyards is located in Grand Isle but has a tasting room conveniently located on beautiful Church Street. The tasting room is a great opportunity to try out wine without having to go out into the country, a quick stop, before or after a meal or just swing on in during the afternoon.

PicMonkey Collage1The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing. You’ll have the opportunity to taste a few wines and review some of the local products, which they showcase. While I was visiting, they introduced me to their “Ice Wine”, which is definitely something that Texas lacks in the wine department.

Ice Wine is made on the third coldest night at the third coldest hour. The frost on the grapes is a huge component to the making of the wine. One pound of grapes literally makes only drops of the wine. The process is amazing but so isn’t the taste!

PicMonkey CollageThere is a small fee for tastings. Bottle prices ranged from $16-$25.

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Due North Winery

Due North VineyardsDue North Winery is located little farther north and situated in Franklin, Vermont. If traveling throughout Vermont’s dairy farming community, near Lake Carmi or to/from Canada suits your fancy, this is a location that you must place on your “To Do” list!

This winery has been producing wines for only the past two years and is fairly new! The delicious wine, scenic views and overall location in itself will make the trip worth the while (and the owners are incredibly nice)! There’s a great selection of wines to choose from!

274Due North provides free tastings on the weekends. Their hours are selective – please check their website or Facebook page for the latest updates.

All of the wines from both locations were fantastic. I literally enjoyed every single one! Has anyone been to either Due North or East Shore? Any favorites?

Activities at Hyatt Lost Pines

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It’s officially summertime and what a better point to take some time off and just run away from the world for a bit. Whether you are staying at the Hyatt Lost Pines for a day or two, or even a week, chances of getting bored are slim to none. The resort provides a magnitude of activities, no matter what who you are with or what your age. Singles, couples, families and for group stays, the opportunities are endless.

When I walked into the resort, I immediately felt at home. Who wouldn’t love this orange couch?! Makes you just want to settle down and pull out a good book or catch up with some friends.

If you’re not quite sure where to begin, the Hyatt Lost Pines helps you out. They have an activities desk located right next to the main lobby. Not only do they have a board with the daily activities and time, but they will help you schedule whatever it is that you’d like to do. Horseback riding, a massage, zip lining, canoeing, the options are endless. Take advantage.

Speaking of endless opportunities, let’s talk about a few….

The gardens. There are two gardens right outside the main rooms that you can walk around, smell the flowers and even sit down and just take a breather.

Of if you’re lucky enough, these three seats will be available overlooking the river.
Disc golf and basketball are right at the bottom of the hill if you’re looking for some friendly competition.
Bike rentals are also available if you’d rather hop on to ride around the resort. If you prefer to take a walk in the woods, I definitely recommend hitting the trails!
(Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines)
McKinney Roughs Nature Park and the Renegade Trailhead are right next door to the resort. Here you can go rafting, canoe, zip lining, horseback riding and even take shooting lessons, just to name a few.
(Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines)

If you’d rather just lay next to a pool instead of jumping into the river, well they can help you out there as well. Slides, pools and even a lazy river could keep you cool from the Texas sun all afternoon.

(Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines)
Let’s not forget about golf. The Hyatt Lost Pines has a beautiful Wolf Dancer Golf Course. Granted, I wasn’t able to golf while I was there, some of the views of this area are fantastic. From what I hear, the golf course is one that you must play at least once! You can also schedule golf lessons with one of four PGA professionals.
 
(Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines)
Speaking of views….
(Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines)
If golf isn’t your thing, or your significant other is out on hitting the greens, the Spa Django is right next door waiting for you.
(Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Lost Pines)
Animals are prominent on the resort. These are the Percheron horses that lead the wagon ride, daily. Hop onboard to enjoy a tour of the grounds and learn a little bit about these 2,000 lb. horses (double the size of a “normal” horse).
Also, you will find llamas and a pair of longhorns. I’ve never seen a black and white longhorn (and we all know how much I love cows), so I was pretty happy.
If all that doesn’t tire you out by the end of the night, head over the Sheller’s Barrelhouse Bar. Enjoy a cold one, sit back and listen to some great local music. I happened to be there when Steven Dolster and Phillip Gibbs came in from Austin. Great Americana music.
(A couple more videos from that night can be found, here.)
My stay at the Hyatt Lost Pines was far too short to enjoy all the activities available all in one swoop. What I could attend, was beyond phenomenal and I highly recommend the Hyatt Lost Pines for any kind of function. If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities and activities available at the resort, please check out their website.
Related Posts:

Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa
Most Historic Small Town In Texas
Exploring Nature at the Hyatt Lost Pines
Comfort & Beauty – Room Overview
Firewheel Cafe at the Hyatt Lost Pines

Disclaimer: I was not compensated but did receive one night’s stay at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in return for this post. All photos and opinions are 100% my own

One of the Greatest Towns In Texas

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Luckenbach, TX. Population: 3
By far one of my favorite places in this state. I light up whenever I talk about it and there’s not even that much there. Maybe that’s why I love it so! Maybe it’s because of the song. I’m not sure.
If you ever find yourself on Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, do yourself a favor and take a little detour. You’ll turn off 290, drive about ten minutes up the road and be careful not to miss your turn. You’ll find the general store (with a bar in the back), the dancehall and outdoor stage. Deep in the heart of Texas.
The general store has a lot of items that you can purchase. People come here from near and far, for good reason. This place is awesome! I mean, there’s even a cat that roams around, I like to think it’s the soul of one of original people from Luckenbach.

Luckenbach is incredibly unique. There are pictures, money, signatures, stickers, hats and pretty much anything you can think of covering the walls, ceilings and floor in the bar. It’s pretty awesome just checking out everything there and each time you go, there’s something new. (I stopped by twice on this trip. Once obviously wasn’t enough.)

While I was in the general store, a couple people were talking about the history of the town. Apparently, years ago, the town went up for sale. A local rancher purchased the town as it was a middle point between himself and a few friends. They used it as a place to get together in between their ranches and catch up, enjoy some tunes and have a few cold ones.

Had to get a picture with the bartender! When in Luckenbach, drink a Shiner. It’s the Texas way.

My first time visiting Luckenbach was a few years ago. When we had stopped, we asked the bartender who he had seen walk thru there. They pointed us to a man who was sitting on a bar stool and said “You should ask him. He’s been here a while.”. Well, this man had a patch on one eye and proceeded to tell us that Kenny Chesney was there the week prior, he had seen them all, George Strait, Willie and the list went on and on. To be a fly on the wall.

(Above) This band was playing in the dancehall on Saturday night.
(Below) This band was playing on the outdoor stage on Sunday morning.

Even the armadillos get in on the fun!
If you’re ever in the area, be sure to stop by. If you’ve been, I’d love to hear about your experience!

Texas Tuesday link up with Amanda from Princess of the Panhandle and Crystal from Masons Mama. This is a chance for any blogger to participate in a post on the greatness of Texas! There’s so much to explore!