Monday, March 17, 2008

Top Ten List of Things to do on Lake Champlain

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do on Lake Champlain throughout the year:

10. Ice skating,

9. North Beach in Burlington for the day and an evening cookout,

8. Taking any of the Lake Champlain Ferries to catch a sunset or watch the full moon rise or both,

7. Wish List item...Owning a home on Lake Champlain,

6. Jumping off the back of my boat yelling with joy on a hot day in the middle of Lake Champlain,

5. Renting a boat or taking sailing lessons at the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center in Burlington,

4. Going to Basin Harbor passing Cathedral Rocks by boat for dinner,

3. Watching summer storms advance out of the Adirondack Mts across the lake from behind the Coast Guard Station in Burlington,

2. July 4th festivities and fireworks over the Lake Champlain from Waterfront Park in Burlington,

1. Hanging out in my boat, reading a book or listening to the Red Sox, drifting along with no particular place to go.

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list of favorite things to do on Lake Champlain, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Top Ten List for Charlotte VT

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Shelburne VT throughout the year:

10. Walking my dog up Mt Philo,

9. Swimming/Tennis/Sunsets at the Charlotte Vermont Beach,

8. Charlotte Land Trust/Open Spaces,,

7. Charlotte Central School,

6. Launching out of Point Bay Marina en routh to Basin Harbor or Whallon's Bay,

5. A "Charlotter", cup of coffee with half & half and sugar, and the newspaper hanging out on the
porch of The Old Brick Store,

4. Sledding down Mt Philo,

3. Views anytime atop Mt Philo,

2. Cycling Charlotte VT back roads,

1. Views from my front porch!

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Top Ten List for Shelburne VT

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Shelburne VT throughout the year:

10. Canoeing or kayaking on Shelburne Pond in summer or fall,

9. Dinner at Cafe Shelburne,

8. Kayaking the Laplatte River as the birds migrate home from the winter,

7. Launching out of Shelburne Bay,

6. Shelburne Market,

5. Dinner at Sauce Bistro,

4. Summer Concert Series at Shelburne Museum,

3. Hike to the top of Lone Tree Hill at Shelburne Farms,

2. Picnicking at the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Concerts at Shelburne Farms,

1. Picknicking at the Mozart Festival Concerts at Shelburne Farms.

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Top Ten List for Burlington Vermont

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Burlington Vermont throughout the year:

10. Summer picnic pilgrammage to enjoy a sunset at Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain,

9. A show at the Flynn Theater followed by profiteroles for dessert at the "Trat",

8. An evening stroll down Church Street,

7. Finding a parking spot,

6. JazzFest in June,

5. First Night,

4. Burlington Bike Path,

3. Coming in by boat to the Community Boat House to hang out on the docks for a sunset, dinner,
drinks or all 3,

2. Christmas Lighting Ceremony on Church Street,

1. 4th of July fireworks on the waterfront.

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Praise for the Charlotte Vermont Land Trust

Christmas has come early this year. I was rejoicing reading the Free Press this morning about the successful efforts of the Charlotte Land Trust to preserve 40 acres of open land west of Mount Philo, near State Park Road. A three year effort has paid off and I would like to express my deep gratitude to all who had a hand in making this preservation of important land a reality.

The Charlotte Land Trust recognized two main purposes for conserving this land. The first was for the property's prime agricultural value and the second was for preserving expansive westerly viewsheds from atop Mount Philo.

Who among us hasn't rejoiced in those spectacular views earned with only a short (30 min) hike to the top of Mount Philo to view the beauty of our Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain, The heart of the Adirondack Mountains, westerly sunsets that are superlative, walking with loved ones and our dogs, watching the bi-annual migration of Canadian Geese, Snow Geese, or Peregrine Falcons in jackknifed dive into the now preserved meadows in search of a meal.

Yes. It feels like Christmas Day allright!

Charlotte residents contribute to the conservation funds each year through 2 cents of the tax rate. This was authorized by the voters in 1996 and re-ratified again in 2006. Every ten years a revote must occur to reapprove the allocation of resources. In excess of a dozen properties have been conserved with help from this fund.

If you would like to make a contribution to the fund, you may do so by writing to the Charlotte Land Trust at P.O Box 43 Charlotte VT 05445. Their website is at present under construction at http://www.charlottelandtrust.org/

As always, if you would like to add your comments here at Hurd's The Word, please feel free to do so or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.