09/06/10

Beebe Pond  (Lake Beebe)  is a beautiful 110 acre lake located in the Town of Hubbardton in  Rutland County in  Vermont. .  The deepest part is 43 feet deep.  Beebe Pond flows into Austin Pond and then into Lake Bomoseen.  Water from Lake Bomoseen goes through a channel into the Castleton River in Hydeville.  The Castleton River ends at the Poultney River in Fair Haven.  The Poultney River empties into the East Bay of Lake Champlain, near Whitehall, New York.

EAGLE ROCK ESTATES - HISTORY

For almost 50 years there were a number of beautiful summer camps for children on Echo Lake, Beebe Pond, and Lake Hortonia.  Also there was housing for parents, as the clientele was mostly Jewish, and discrimination was rampant in many local hotels.  The three main cities the campers came from were: N Y City, Montreal, and Philadelphia.

June Sherline owned  Twin Lake Camp on Echo Lake and Camp Awanee on Beebe Pond.  She subsequently sold Twin Lake Camp,  but in 1964 she subdivided the Camp Awanee property into building lots on Beebe Pond.  She called the subdivision:  Eagle Rock Estates.

CAMPS ON BEEBE POND & ECHO LAKE

Read about the history of these summer camps.  Visit the Twin Lake Camp and Camp Awanee web page: http://www.twinlakecamp.com/ 

Listen to songs made in 1947 by campers from Camp Awanee, the  girl's camp , and from Twin Lake Camp, the  boy's camp .          Learn about Gus, the Canada Goose .                     

Here are many pictures of Camp Awanee  on Beebe Pond, plus a few of Twin Lake Camp on Echo Lake.  I have drawn a map of the location of the various buildings in Camp Awanee, with valuable input from Ilyse Segal, a former Awanee camper from Montreal. 

CAMPS ON LAKE HORTONIA 

Learn about the history of the two camps on Camp Road.  Originally there was the Green Mountain Camp for Girls at the west end of Camp Road in Hubbardton and Green Mountain Camp for Boys on Camp Road closer to Route 30 in Sudbury.  The name of the girls camp was changed to Camp Birchwood and after it closed was reopened as a boy's camp which is currently operating as Camp Wachusett.  The boy's camp was closed and then reopened as a girl's camp called Wanee.  It was closed and vacation homes are now located there.  

Info on Camp Birchwood is at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45483461516  and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hubbardton-VT/Camp-Birchwood-Lake-Hortonia-Hubbardton-VT/295497644606     It is currently operating as a boy's camp called Camp Wachusett, which began in NH and the name was moved to the Vermont location.  Info is at http://www.campwachusett.com/ and also at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hubbardton-VT/Camp-Wachusett/208186020737

FIRST HOUSES IN EAGLE ROCK ESTATES.

Eagle Rock Estates on Beebe Pond was developed in the mid 1960's after Camp Awanee closed. 

In 1964 there was one house in Eagle Rock Estates…that of June Sherline, who owned Camp Awanee.  Her caretaker, Al Greeley of Sudbury, became the foreman or general contractor for those that wanted homes built or existing camps remodeled.  Al did grading, put in septic tanks, and used Fred Fortier of Fair Haven to do the carpentry work. 

 A few of the existing camp buildings were remodeled.  Current owners are: Mason (June Sherline's house),  Rollman (Infirmary) , Fiocca (Counselor's Bunk), Ravkin (Storage Building), and Cooley (Shower House).

The first new house was the Gallagers, built in 1965.  Houses built in 1966 were: Sondergeld,  Ranhofer, Holland, and Mullen.

We bought our property on Beebe Pond in 1965.   See Sondergeld Property.

A list of the dates of purchase of lots in Eagle Rock Estates is a proxy for the dates houses were built shortly thereafter.  Here is a map and a location of houses in 1989. 

Telephone service meant a four party line.

TURTLE CLUB

A swim club, mostly ladies, has been in effect for many years on Beebe Pond.  See Turtles.  Read a terrific story and view pictures by the eminent  artist and writer Florence Mason.  Read   "The Turtle Tale".

EAGLE ROCK RACQUET CLUB

This tennis club is located on Delancey Road near Beebe Pond.  There are 12 families that own stock in Eagle Rock Racquet Club: 8 from Beebe Pond, 3 from Echo Lake and 1 from Lake Bomoseen. 

LAKE BEEBE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

This Association was formed in 1968 and was incorporated in 1981.

The roads to property in Eagle Rock Estates are owned and maintained by the Association.  It also owns 4.1 acres of land surrounding the outlet at the SW end of the lake.

Property owners are eligible to join the Association. Here is a list of property owners, about 70% are members.

TWIN LAKES WATERSHED ASSOCIATION

"TLWA" is a 501 C 3 tax exempt organization formed in 2001.  By Laws were adopted on October 6, 2001.  Alan Breckenridge has been its president. The purpose of "TLWA" is  to: 

1.  maintain, conserve, protect and enhance the environmental health, quality and purity of the water constituting the bodies of water generally known as Beebe Pond or Beebe Lake in the Town of Hubbardton and Echo Lake in the Towns of Hubbardton and Sudbury in the State of Vermont (collectively "Twin Lakes"), and their tributaries, located within such Towns ("Tributaries") (the area covered by and within a mile immediately surrounding the Twin Lakes and their Tributaries is hereunder collectively referred to as "Twin Lakes Watershed" or "The Watershed Area"),                                                                                                                                             

2.  maintain, conserve, protect and enhance the health quality, and beauty of the flora, trees and other plant life located in the Twin Lakes Watershed,                                                                             

3.  foster and develop the appreciation and enjoyment by residents and non-residents of Vermont of the beauty and environmental quality of the Watershed Area,  and

4.  engage in and encourage activities of a scientific, literary or charitable nature involving or incidental to the foregoing. 

LAKE BOMOSEEN 

Lake Bomoseen is to the south of Beebe Pond.  It is the largest lake within the borders of Vermont of almost 2400 acres.  It has a maximum depth of 65 feet.  A small part is in Hubbardton and a larger part is in Castleton.  An excellent book titled "Beautiful Lake Bomoseen" described the many hotels on this lake, a dance pavilion, and trolley service from Rutland.  The Trakenseen was one of the oldest hotels. Karen Sondergeld worked there as a waitress one summer.  Neshobe Island has an interesting history involving Alexander Woollcott who gave money to the Library  in Castleton, which is why his picture adorns the east wall.   The current owners of Neshobe Island, Davene and Jerry Brown, completed their new home on Lake Bomoseen across from the church on Route 30 in 2010.  A more recent book titled "Lake Bomoseen: The Story of Vermont's Largest Little-Known Lake" is also worth reading.

Waterski on Lake Bomoseen:  You can rent  a ski boat for waterskiing or a pontoon boat for touring at Woodard Marina (802-265-3690).  Lake Bomoseen flows into the Castleton River.

LAKE   HORTONIA

Lake Hortonia is a 479 acre lake to the north.  It has a maximum depth of 60 feet.  Half of the lake is in Hubbardton and half is in Sudbury.  Hubbardton, the last of New Hampshire Grant on June 15, 1764, contained all of Lake Hortonia.  However, inhabitants in the north felt closer to the center of Sudbury and in 1806 successfully petitioned to become part of Sudbury.  There was a large inn on Route 30 (The Hortonia) and a dance pavilion nearby.  The beautiful log home on Walker Grove Road on the site of the dance pavilion was still for sale on July 1, 2010.  The Hubbardton River is the outlet to Lake Hortonia.

LAKE GEORGE

Drive to Hulett's Landing on the east side of Lake George and camp on one of the islands.  That is a terrific experience on a lovely lake.  We spent many days with the Breckenridges camping on the state owned islands. See: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24474.html  Or drive to Lake George Village on the west side and take a cruise. See: http://www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com/

 POULTNEY  RIVER

The 40 mile long Poultney River starts on the west facing slope of Tinmouth Mountain near Middletown Springs and flows west to Poultney where it turns north.   Just west of Poultney, it forms the boundary between Vermont and New York.  This river flows north  under Route 4  just west of Fair Haven, Vermont. It then  flows under the bridge on West Street in Fair Haven.  It continues north to West Haven. It turns west near Carver Falls and then turns south past the Coggman Bridge. It continues south and west and empties into the East Bay of Lake Champlain near Whitehall, NY. 

The Poultney River basin  includes the Castleton River and the Hubbardton River.

In the History of Fair Haven (and and later West Haven) we read:  "There are traces still existing confirmatory of early indirect records, that a body of Hessian soldiers came up the East Bay during the war, and abandoning their boats at the foot of "Carvers Falls, " cut a road thence through the woods on the New York side, to Poultney River at a point a little below its junction with the Castleton River (should be Hubbardton River), at the south end of the old Merritt farm, where they threw over a bridge long afterward known and called the " Hessian bridge, " over which they crossed the river and cleared a road eastward toward Castleton and Hubbardton by way of the large hill south of Hiram Hamilton's, which, on account of their hollowing out a stump on the top of the hill was called "Hessian Bowl Hill." By this " Hessian Road, " where it came away from the river, the surveys and deeds of Mr. Merritt's farm were afterwards bounded.  Another detachment of Burgoyne's army passed through t his  town after the battle of Hubbardton, in July, 1777, and it is thought made a road south of the river, passing near Otis Eddy's, and along the north side of the cedar swamp below J. W. Estey's house and thence crossing the Poultney river S. and W. either creating or following what was Iong subsequently known as Skeene's road. On a rude map of t his  region, printed in London, in January, 1779, by order of Governor Wm. Tryon, of New York, there are two roads branching out of one, about on the east of this  town, and diverging S. W. across the territory of Gen. Skeene."

CASTLETON RIVER

The Castleton River Basin is comprised of fifty-four subwatersheds covering approximately ninety-nine square miles. It covers all of the town of Castleton and portions of the towns of Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Pittsford, Proctor, West Rutland, Ira and Poultney. It includes Lake Bomoseen, Glen Lake, Pine Pond, and several other smaller ponds. The major tributaries are Pond Hill Brook, North Breton Brook ,and Gully Brook.  The minor tributaries are Belgo Brook and two unnamed tributaries to North Breton Brook. Many projects are on going.  See the Gully Brook Project at: http://www.pmnrcd.org/projects/district_projects/castleton_river_restoration.php

Read the excellent report about the Castleton River.  It begins in the marshes of Whipple Hollow above West Rutland and flows 20 miles to the Poultney River west of Fair Haven. See SLIDE SHOW.

The river flows under many roads on its westward journey to the Poultney River.  In Castleton, you can see it where it flows under Mill Street,  North Road, and Cemetery Road.  It then goes under Route 4A east of Castleton Corners before flowing under Route 30 south of Castleton Corners.  It flows under the Blissville Road 3/10 of a  mile south of The Dog in Hydeville.  The outlet to Lake Bomoseen is a dam on the north side of Route 4 in Hydeville. The water from Bomoseen then  flows a little south under Route 4A and turns west and meets the Castleton River less than a half mile west of Hydeville. 

In Fair Haven we view the river at the corner of Route 4A and Route 22A.   On Adams Street, just south of the Fair Haven Inn, there are waterfalls.  They are shown below:

The river then flows under the Route 4 divided highway. The Castleton River empties into  the Poultney River just south of the West Street bridge over the Poultney River. The Poultney River then empties into the East Bay of Lake Champlain in Whitehall, New York.

HUBBARDTON RIVER

The 20 mile long river begins at Lake Hortonia. This river flows SW though Benson and West Haven and then joins the  Poultney River. There are at least four tributaries that flow into the river that starts in Hubbardton.  See Map.

a) The river begins at the dam at the outlet from Lake Hortonia.  It flows west, then south  and then west under Route 144 (the road to Benson)  1.4 miles from the dam, where there is a falls on the west side of Route 144.  Shortly thereafter it is joined by a small tributary from the north, which you can see if you drive north on Pleasant Valley Road.

b) It continues west to the northeast corner of Rout 144 and Sunset Lake Road, which is 2.8 miles from the Hortonia dam.  Shortly before this point it is joined by another tributary, the outlet from Sunrise Lake that flows down from the north.

c) The river then flows west under Sunset Lake Road,  .1 mile north of Route 144..  Then it flows  .2 mile west along Route 144 and turns south under Route 144 and continues south to the dam at  Mill Pond.   The outlet to Mill Pond flows southeast along the north side of Mill Pond Road. 

c) After it leaves Mill Pond, it is almost immediately joined by another tributary that flows south from Howard Hill. This tributary comes from Bresee Pond and from Black Pond.  The river flows south under Mill Pond Road.  It continues southwest and flows under Route 22A a half mile north of East Road.  Just west of Route 22A it is joined by another tributary (Beaver Brook) that flows down from Strong Swamp west of the center of Benson.

d) It continues about 3 miles or more and goes under Main Road  in West Haven.  It flows southwest along the west side of River Road for about 2 miles.  Half way down River Road there is a lovely set of rapids.  It then enters the Poultney River just east of the Coggman Bridge. This bridge is 2.1 miles south of West Haven on Book Road, which becomes Route 10 in New York. (If you want to canoe in this area, turn west onto the dirt road just before the bridge on the Vermont side. Travel on the dirt road for 1.1 miles until you arrive at Coggman Creek culvert, where the creek empties into the Poultney River. This is the canoe put-in. Limited roadside parking is available.)

The confluence of the Hubbardton River with the Poultney River can be seen by walking east from Book Road before reaching  the Coggman Bridge.  Alternatively, it can  be seen by driving to the end of Hackadam Road from Main Road in West Haven and then walking in about one mile to Nature Conservancy property.  Don't park in the area labeled parking, but farther down the road, about three houses from the end at Sam Ezzo's and then walk in the dotted lined road.   See topo of the area.

In 1792 it was decided to separate West Haven from  Fair Haven.  One proposal for the dividing line was the Hubbardton River.  Another proposal was Mud Brook, which also flows into the Poultney River, just north of where the Castleton River flows into the Poultney River.   Mud Brook lies east of Inman Pond, the reservoir that supplies water to Fair Haven.  Mud Brook starts near Old Marsh Pond.  Old Marsh Pond is south of Glen Lake in the northeast corner of Fair Haven.  Glen Lake lies in three towns: Fair Haven, Castleton, and Benson. The compromise was a vertical line just east of Route 22A.  The two towns shared one representative until 1823 when each had one.

CARVER FALLS ON THE POULTNEY RIVER

Carver Falls is on the Poultney River about 6 miles northwest of Fair Haven, VT.  It is 126 feet high.  To get there, drive  west on West Street in Fair Haven.  (West street begins by the United Methodist Church on the northeast corner of the Town Green and Route 22A)  After 1.5 miles turn right (north) on Manchester Road. After 3.3 miles, turn right on Carver Falls Lane. (Do not turn left on Carver Falls Road)  Park at the dead end in one half mile. To view the falls, walk down a wooden stairs and turn right, or hike down the embankment at the left land corner of the fence that encircles the CVPS facility.    See topo of the area.    

The following  picture of Carver Falls was taken on July 10, 2010.

METTEWEE RIVER VALLEY

The 40 mile drive from Beebe Pond to Dorset is lovely. The last part goes through the beautiful Taconic Mountains in the Mettewee River Vallley.  The Mettewee River begins south of Dorset and flows north for 17 miles in Vermont to the New York border near Granville (through Dorset, East Rupert, North Rupert, and Pawlet). It crosses into New York and goes through Granville, Middle Granville, Raceville, West Granville and then into the Champlain Canal south of Whitehall.  The outlet to Lake St Catherine is Mill Brook Creek which flows into the Mettewee River in Vermont east of Granville which flows into the Champlain Canal.  Here are the waterfalls in Pawlett:

The 12 mile stretch on the Mettewee between Raceville and Grays' Corner is excellent Class IV whitewater kayaking.  See: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1343/.mobile  

OTTER CREEK

Otter Creek is one of the major streams located in Vermont. It meanders for 112 miles but its source and mouth are only 68 miles apart.  See:  http://www.vacd.org/~rcd/documents/UpperOtterCreekPhase2Assessment.pdf Here is a slide show.

Otter Creek rises on the western slopes of Mt. Tabor, and flows southwesterly towards East Dorset, thence veering northward into Emerald Lake.. Thence it runs northward passing through Rutland County. On entering Addison County, it generally forms the town line between various townships. It  eventually empties into Lake Champlain in Ferrisburg.  Otter Creek (or "Kill") was known to the French as "La Rivière aux Loutres", whence the English name.

On April 1st, 1690 Capt. Abraham Schuyler was commissioned by the city of Albany to take a party up the Otter Creek about seven miles and there to keep watch and engage any indians. [This would correspond today to the town of Vergennes]. In 1731, the French began construction of a fort at Crown Point to be known as Fort Frederic.  Vergennes, situated on the first falls, 7 miles upstream from the outlet of Otter Creek, was chartered in 1778 only four years after New Haven and Hartford, and thus was the third incorporated city in New England.

The stretch of water between the mouth at Fort Cassin point, Lake Champlain (the site of the former Fort Cassin) and Vergennes is passable by boat, and is frequented by motor boats, canoes, and kayaks. Indeed, Vergennes was a shipyard of some importance in the various wars of the 18th century. Many nesting platforms have been built along the creek, so one is likely to see both Osprey and Bald Eagles in the area. See July 1898 article on Fort Cassin:

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9404E0D71738E433A25752C3A9619C94699ED7CF

Here are the falls in Vergennes:

Another set of falls is in the town of Middlebury.

Read about the Otter Creek Gorge Preserve at http://www.localmotion.org/trails/trail.php?trail=146  The Gorge, near Weybridge, is shown below:

The Otter Creek drops over 3 dams in the town of Weybridge. Huntington Falls Dam is a 35' drop consisting of a dam built right on top of a natural falls.

And the Sutherland Falls in Proctor is shown in this old picture:

In Center Rutland we see:

SWIMMING HOLES IN VERMONT

Go to http://www.swimmingholes.org/vt.html and view an interactive map of 89 locations in Vermont. Also see a slide show at http://www.swimmingholes.org/phpslideshow2.php?prefix=VT  View my favorite list of swimming holes. 

Drive 40 miles south on Route 30 to the beautiful town of Dorset.  Have lunch at the Inn.  There is a summer Theater in Dorset.  Swimming in the 60 foot deep Dorset Quarry one mile south of Dorset is a must.  The country's first commercial marble quarry was opened in South Dorset by Isaac Underhill in 1785 on the land of Reuben Bloomer. This is the oldest marble quarry in the United States. The popular area along Route 30 is  the lower quarry. Footpaths lead to the quiet upper quarry. http://www.vermontdaily.com/panoramas/quarryswim.html and http://blogs.gonomad.com/beourguest/2008/08/quarry-jumping-in-dorset-vermont.html and http://curlywurlygurly.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/adventures-at-the-swimming-hole-the-dorset-quarry/ and http://www.dorsetvthistory.org/history.html  and  http://www.1877scubausa.com/dive_trips/east_dorset_marble_quarry.htm and  http://www.swimmingholes.org/vt.html#DORSET%20QUARRY

WATERFALLS

See the many Vermont Waterfalls at: http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/vermont.php  

There are many swimming holes at the bottom of the waterfalls.     Buttermilk Falls in Ludlow at: http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/waterfall.php?name=Buttermilk%20Falls%20%28Ludlow%29  Falls of Lana in Salisbury: http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/waterfall.php?name=Falls%20of%20Lana  Bingham Falls at Stowe: http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/waterfall.php?name=Bingham%20Falls

HIKING FROM BEEBE POND

Take an easy hike to the summit of Eagle Rock or to High Pond.  Examine the topographical map. 

Vermont: A terrific day hike is Camel's Hump which has a granite dome which provides 360 degree views.  Also, consider hiking the  "Monroe Skyline" on the Long Trail which requires two cars and takes all day or two days.  Many topological maps can be found at http://docs.unh.edu/nhtopos/nhtopos.htm and at http://docs.unh.edu/towns/HubbardtonVermontMapList.htm  Also consider Mt Philo State Park, a 45 mile drive north on Route 7 in Charlotte. The 168-acre park is located atop Mt. Philo (968' elevation) and overlooks the Lake Champlain Valley and the Adirondack Mountains of New York. This is Vermont's oldest state park, created in 1924. There is a 1.1 mile toll road you can drive to the top for picnicking and camping.   Admission is $3. You can also hike to the summit.  The views are spectacular.

A nearby hike is on "Tim's Trail" an easy 2.8 mile loop along the side of Bald Mountain in West Haven VT near  Whitehall NY.  Bald Mountain  is 1065 feet high, whereas the elevation of Lake Champlain is just under 100 feet.   In 2007 Caitlin Whitney counted 32 Leopard Frogs on Tim's Trail.  You will have great views of the South Bay of  Lake Champlain.  From Rutland, VT, take Route 4 West. Then from Route 4 you’ll cross the state line from Vermont into New York. From the state line, continue west on Route 4 for about 5.5 miles, crossing a set of Rail Road tracks. Turn north (right) onto Route 9A just across from where there was a garden center. Route 9A takes you by the Skene Valley Country Club.  Travel about 1 mile on Route 9A, and then turn left onto Route 9 at the “T” intersection.  Take the first right onto Route 10 (Doig Street).  Drive a half mile, then turn left onto the dirt road (the paved road curves right).  Cross the bridge over the Poultney River into Vermont and turn left on the unmarked Galick Road.  (Ward Marsh is to the right) The parking area for Tim’s Trail is .7 miles down the dirt road on the right.  Please be advised that this road is often flooded in the spring. The parking for the Susan Bacher Memorial Trail, a 2.5 mile loop trail, is another mile down the road from Tim's Trail.   See Topos of the area.

New York: The very best hikes are in the Adirondacks.  The "High Peaks" in the Keene Valley area are well described in http://adirondackhikingtrails.com/  Also, visit nearby Lake Placid.

New Hampshire: An excellent day hike is Mt Chocorua   http://www.mountainsummits.com/mountains/newhampshire/chocorua.htm Also see the following site for Mount Washington and other hikes: http://www.slackpacker.com/map_nh.html

DRIVING

The Hubbardton Battlefield and Visitors Center on Monument Hill Road in Hubbardton is terrific.  Also visit  Mt Independence in Orwell only 15 miles away. 

Take the three minute ferry across Lake Champlain at Larabees Point  to NY to visit Fort Ticonderoga.. Drive  the one mile non toll road to the summit of nearby Mount Defiance, where General Johnny Burgoyne had a cannon dragged to the summit.  This made the situation untenable for the American General St. Clair, who then vacated Fort Ticonderoga in the middle of the night.  The British caught the Americans the next morning and a successful rear guard action at the Battle of Hubbardton on July 7, 1777 saved the main body of the army which defeated Burgoyne at Saratoga a month later.  Here are pictures of Fort Ti and a lovely view of the narrowing of the lake between Fort Ti and Mount Independence seen from Mount Defiance.

Take a ride on the Carillon (Fort Carillon was the French name for Fort Ticonderoga), an excursion boat at Larabees Point.  Consider renting a houseboat for the day at Plunder Bay.

Visit the historic 60 mile long  Champlain Canal. Take an excursion boat tour from Schuylerville, NY south through lock 5 and north to a nineteen foot high  waterfall.  The canal's waters flow south to the Hudson (and Erie Canal) and north to Lake Champlain in Whitehall, New York.  The mules along the towpath are all dead.  See:  http://www.champlaincanal.org/  & http://www.tug44.org/champlain.canal/  & info on the 11 locks at http://www.offshoreblue.com/cruising/champlain-canal.php

Visit the historic Vail House in Sudbury.

Go to Proctor and visit the Marble Exhibit.  Also drive the Marble Trail:  http://dimensionsofmarble.org/thetrail/VermontMarbleTrailWeb.pdf

The beautiful towns of Manchester and Woodstock are well worth the one hour drive.  Brandon and Middlebury are less than 30 minutes away.  In Manchester, drive the 5.5 mile toll road to the 3848 foot summit of Mt Equinox in Manchester, Vermont.  The origin of the word “Equinox” may be that it is a corruption either of the Indian word “Akwanok” or “Ekwanok”. These words can be freely translated to mean the top or the place where the very top is - an appropriate name. A must is a visit to Hildene the summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's son, who was Chairman of the Pullman Company. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildene

Pond Hill Ranch in Castleton (802-468-4669) has Trail Rides.  See: http://www.pondhillranch.com/  Barrel Races are on Tuesday evenings and Rodeos are held on Saturday nights.

MOUNTAIN ROADS

You can drive up the toll road to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire.  But there are six mountains in Vermont that have roads to the summit:

Mountain Mansfield (elevation 4395') has a 4 mile toll road built in 1856.

Mount Equinox (elevation 3848') has a 5.2 has a 1.4 mile toll road "Skyline Drive toll road built around 1860 or 1870.

Okemo Mountain (elevation 3344') has a free 4.5 mile road that is a ski trail in the winter.

Burke Mountain (elevation 3267').  In 1860, Joseph Hall, a man who had helped build a carriage road up New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington, hacked a small road to the summit.  An improved toll road was completed in 1935 or 1939.

Mount Ascutney (elevation 3144') has a 3.7 mile toll road.

The absence of other nearby mountains makes Ascutney a monadnock. 

Mount Philo (elevation 988') has a 1.4 mile toll road  Vermont's oldest state park, created in 1924, is at the summit.

BIRDS OF PREY and OTHER BIRDS at BEEBE POND

This Fox was at the Eldens in August 2009.   In June of 2010 a fox and her kits were seen at the Mason's.

SNAKES

We have common water snakes and garter snakes at Beebe Pond

It was fascinating to watch a snake eating a frog at Beebe:

FROGS

Here is a frog at Beebe and a Leopard Frog on "Tim's Trail in West Haven, Vermont:

HISTORY  OF  HUBBARDTON,  VERMONT

This book was written by Don Sondergeld and first published in 2005.  A slightly larger book was published in 2007. 

Here is the Cover and the entire Book  which you can download. The first two pages are blank, so please scroll down when the downloading is finished.

CONCERTS

There are many free concerts around the state.  Go to free summer concerts:  The "Concerts On The Green" in Castleton are held on Tuesdays at 7 pm.  They are terrific with over 500 people attending each week. See dancers from  Reggie's Red Hot Feetwarmers.

Bandstands on the Town Green: The Brandon Town Band performs on Mondays at 6:30 pm.  It is a small affair, but the trombonist is terrific.   The Orwell Town Band performs on Thursdays in July at 7:30 pm.  There are also concerts on Sundays in July at 6:30 pm in East Poultney.

RESTAURANTS

30 minutes:   Cafe Provence in Brandon.  Fair Haven Inn in Fair Haven.  Countryman's Pleasure in Rutland. Swift House,  Fire and Ice, and Mr. Ups in Middlebury.

45 minutes:  Victorian Inn in Wallingford.  Cafe Shelburne in Shelburne.  Hemingways east of Killington on Route 4.                                                                                                                                                   

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