Happy Vermont

Backcountry Skiing Along Vermont's Catamount Trail

The Catamount Trail features more than 300 miles of backcountry skiing in Vermont. The trail extends the entire length of Vermont, winding through towns, villages, and remote sections of the state.

Matt Williams, executive director of the Catamount Trail Association, talks about what makes the trail special and offers tips on how beginners can try backcountry skiing this winter.

Vermont's 251 Club Inspires Exploration of Towns, Cities, Grants and a Gore

There are 251 cities and towns in Vermont, plus three gores and one grant. Some places you've probably heard of, like Burlington, Brattleboro, Woodstock, and Stowe. Then there are other places, including Lewis, Baltimore, and Victory, that are off the beaten path. Host Erica Houskeeper talks with Stephanie Young, executive director of the 251 Club, about the club's beginnings, what it offers, and why you should join. 

How Captain Richard Phillips Changed the Trajectory of Alison Conant's Life

Alison Kosakowski Conant first came to Vermont in crisis mode.

While working in communications for Maersk, a global shipping company, she rushed from her home in New Jersey to Vermont in April 2009. The Maersk Alabama had been hijacked by four Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. The ship’s captain, Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vermont, was taken hostage.

As the crisis unfolded, Alison was dispatched to the captain’s home in the small town of Underhill to manage the intense media spotlight on the Phillips family.

In this episode, Alison talks about her experience with Captain Phillips, as well as her decision to move to Vermont later on and create a life for herself as a mother, wife, communications professional, and farmer. 

What Makes Vermont Weird?

Chad Abramovich loves to explore the weird side of Vermont. Things like abandoned buildings, mysterious legends, and obscure places are right up his alley. Chad talks with host Erica Houskeeper about what makes Vermont weird and shares stories about strange and mysterious places in the state. 

The Prettiest Vermont Towns to Visit During Fall Foliage

Fall in Vermont is all about hiking, scenic drives, apple picking and exploring small towns.

You can’t go wrong wherever you are in Vermont this fall—the leaves are changing across the state and there’s beauty to be seen in every direction.

In the fall, there are dozens of scenic towns worth visiting, including Craftsbury, Peacham, Ripton, Dorset, and Wilmington. Here's a list of towns to explore and things to do along the way. 

You can learn more by visiting www.happyvermont.com

Why Vermont's Fall Foliage is Better than the Rest

Mike Snyder is the go-to guy for Vermont fall foliage updates. As commissioner of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, Mike is known as Vermont’s Chief Foliage Forecaster, providing weekly foliage reports to the media and state tourism office. 

In this episode, Mike chats with host Erica Houskeeper about the 2020 fall foliage season, the science behind why the leaves change, and what makes autumn in Vermont so special. 

 

The Wild Fern Cafe Grows Community and Positivity in Stockbridge

Baker and musician Heather Lynne runs The Wild Fern on Route 100 in Stockbridge, Vermont. She spends part of her week baking, cooking, and filling to-go orders for sourdough bread, sesame bagels, locally sourced beef burgers, and pesto pizza.

On other days, she is lining up musicians for drive-in concerts at the café’s outdoor pop-up stage or playing bass with her band, Rick Redington & The Luv.

She opened The Wild Fern after Tropical Storm Irene upended the state, causing widespread damage to many Route 100 towns in 2011. After the storm, Lynne realized that Stockbridge needed some sort of community gathering place.  

Fast forward to 2020, and Lynne’s bread and bagel business has quadrupled during the pandemic. Her cafe's drive-in concerts, available by reservation only, are also drawing new customers.

“The Wild Fern is attracting good humans, and I am super lucky,” she says.

 

 

The History of Burlington Builds a Following on Facebook

Bob Blanchard, who grew up in Burlington, Vermont, started a Facebook group last year that highlights the history of his hometown.

With more than 10,000 followers, the popular Facebook page features old photos of Church Street, Battery Park, the Waterfront, local grocery stores, and neighborhoods around the city. Several times a week, Bob shares historic information that he has meticulously researched.

In this episode, Bob shares historic details about Burlington, including stories about a ravine that ran through the middle of the city, a radio tower that stood behind a building on College Street, and how land along the waterfront was reshaped with mud and sand to accommodate the lumber industry. 

You can learn more by following the Burlington Area History page on Facebook. 

Unusual and Beautiful Places in Vermont

When you think of Vermont, what comes to mind? Ben & Jerry's? Maple syrup? Host Erica Houskeeper shares entertaining details about Vermont and recommends unusual, beautiful places to visit in the Green Mountain State. 

Where to Explore the Vermont Outdoors this Summer

Tara Schatz of Bennington is an avid hiker, camper, and outdoor enthusiast who writes about her adventures on BackRoadRambers.com. Tara's travel blog offers tips about kayaking, camping, hiking, visiting state parks, and road trips around Vermont.

In this episode of Happy Vermont, Tara talks about camping at off-the-beaten path locations, exploring swimming holes, waterfalls, and hiking trails, and her favorite places in Vermont.