I am writing this post ahead of time 😯 as I will be checking out tomorrow and driving back down to Connecticut. Nice feature with WordPress is I can write the post now, publish it, but set the publishing time to be some time in the future and it will update my blog at the right time while I am out. So on with the blogging…
The Lodge
It was a great trip these past few days here at the Black Bear Inn in Bolton Valley, Vermont. I had been here once before three years ago in October. Unlike the last time I was here, we had snow on the ground and the weather got a bit harsh outside. I drove through some of that a couple of days ago. I have video of the ride up the access road back to the Inn. I haven’t decided yet how I am going to do video here (YouTube or some other video service). That day you could not see the peaks for anything.
As you know I started backpacking this year and really enjoyed it. I have read plenty and in that reading found and talked to some individuals that have done some alpine backpacking. I could not imagine myself doing that, well.. at least not solo. Part of it is fearing I may get disoriented and lose the trial. The other, of course, is the cold and I got a taste of that when I took the Jeep out for a spin a couple of days ago running some errands. In the valley other than the snow falling I didn’t think it was too bad. At altitude the mountain shows how bitter it can be.
Mascot
What I love about the Inn is how it contrasts to the weather outside. Where it is harsh and unforgiving out there, inside it is warm and inviting. The staff is friendly as well as the guests that I spend time with when sitting in the lobby area which I make a point to do. You feel very much at home here. Some of that may be due to this being a small operation here. For me, for the second time in three years, this is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of life back in Hartford. Breakfast is not something I often do when back home and I make certain I am up for every meal. They offer two choices for what you can have. The dinner menu is at the bar so you know what is available that evening and changes everyday. You can let them know at breakfast if you will be making it for dinner. I of course am considering making plans to come back sooner and not let it go for too long again.