There is something about the feeling of being outside in the Vermont winter. The crisp clean country air and the peaceful silence that comes with a soft snowfall. One great way to get outside and experience this serenity is snow shoeing. Lucky for us, there are plenty of great cross-country ski trails around Brattleboro that also make fore a snowshoers paradise. As a matter of fact, you can snowshoe almost 15 miles of trails right from the backyard of our Brattleboro Inn! But there are also several nearby locations that are well suited for all snowshoeing skill levels.

For first timers, check out the Brattleboro Outing Club. The outing club sets up shop in the winter on the golf course, creating a 14km system of trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the picturesque hilly country club. They even rent equipment and offer lessons right on site on the weekends. The outing club is located just across the water from our inn, on Upper Dummerston Road.

If you are looking for something a bit more challenging, or a nice afternoon trip, check out Grafton Ponds. Grafton Ponds is located in Grafton Vermont, about 25 miles up Route 30 (to Rt 35, to Townshend Road). A bit bigger than the outing club, and with snow making equipment and groomed trails, Grafton Ponds is a local favorite for a serious day on the trails. Grafton Ponds rents equipment, offers lessons, guided tours and even snow tubing. All situated in a picturesque community in rural Vermont.

For those who already have equipment or prefer the “wild” side of getting out on a mountain, the Kilburn Loop trail in nearby New Hampshire’s Pisgah State Park should certainly fit the bill. Pisgah State Park has 13,500 acres of forest and covers more than twenty-one square miles.  Trails roam for miles in the park and six different trailheads leading into the park each allow for a specific use such as snowmobiling, or snowshoeing.

Of the trails, the Kilburn Loop is for skiing and snowshoeing as motorized vehicles are prohibited to protect these ungroomed trails. The trail itself is five miles long and loopy. While the trail is rather steep at times, it is also picturesque and offers a series of rewarding views and places to pause.

Sure Pisgah State Park and the Kilburn Loop are a challenge, but a fun one. If you don’t have your own snowshoes, the Outing Club mentioned earlier rents them on site (on the weekends) as does Burrows Specialized Sports in downtown Brattleboro.

Any way you try it, snowshoeing is a great way to spend an afternoon staying active in the winter. And Brattleboro is a great base for any snowshoeing adventure.

I am all about spending a sunny summer day outside as you can see from the video above.  One of my favorite leisurely outdoor activities is tubing on the West River in Southern Vermont.  The best part is the tube rental and the river are located very close to our Bed and Breakfast.  The West River is great for tubing as it is not too deep, the water is moving at a good speed, and it offers variety.  In some spots you are just floating along while in others you are gently bumping your way through the large smooth river rocks.  What a relaxing way to spend a hot summer day.

If you are planning a trip to Brattleboro and you choose to stay with us here at Forty Putney Road B&B, we can help you with your tubing adventure.  We will direct you to the tube rental (Vermont Canoe Touring Center 802-257-5008) to pick up a tub and life jacket, you can follow us in your car to the ending point where you will leave your car,  we will then drive you and your tubes to the launch site.   The launch site is located at the  West Dummerston Covered Bridge this trip will take you about 2 hours depending on the speed of the current.   Then all you have to do is float down the river and get out at the nearby swimming hole where your car will be parked.  What do you need to bring?  We suggest water shoes and sunscreen.  You will find beach towels at our B&B that you can borrow.  So cool off this summer in a tube on the West River – and at Forty Putney Road B&B!

Mt. Wantastiquet in Hinsdale, NH is just a short walk from downtown Brattleboro, VT and  is one of our favorite simple hikes.  It’s easily walkable from our Vermont B&B, and offers 3 great choices for hiking.

Start by walking downtown and crossing the steel bridge into New Hampshire.  Make the first left and follow that dirt road to the end.  You’ll see a small parking area, where you can head off in several directions.

When we want to take a leisurely stroll with the dog we head to the left and take the nearly flat walk along the Connecticut River.

When we are looking to build some endurance we will head up the hill to the right, and take the winding  switchback style jeep trail to the top of the mountain. This trail is pretty gradual, but a steady climb.  We would label it as a moderate hike, and it takes about three hours from our front door to the top and back.

Finally, if we are short on time, we will take the short cut straight up the mountain which is much steeper, but shorter.  We would label that path moderately difficult, this trail only take about two hours from our door step and back.

Both the switchback and the short cut will take you to a clearing at the top where you will see panoramic views of Brattleboro and the river valley.  Even on a hazy day you can see our slate roof peaking out over the trees and our huge Japanese Maple with its bright red leaves, in the back yard.

If you are really looking for a longer adventure, venture over the top of the mountain and hike the backside down all the way to the old “Castle” (see our haunted hike).  Be warned though, that is a long trek.

When you come off of the mountain, you walk back to the Inn through downtown, where you can stop to enjoy a well deserved lunch.  This certainly makes  Mount Wantastiquet a great local hike and one of the many reasons we love living in Brattleboro.

For more great Brattleboro area activities, be sure to keep an eye on our blog at InnBrattleboro.com!

Marlboro Music Festival is located in Marlboro, Vermont (only a short 15 minutes from our B&B, Forty Putney Road).  Marlboro Music Frestival is an amazing group of concerts held throughout July and August.  Marlboro Music has gained world-wide acclaim as an institution devoted to fostering artistic excellence and grooming new musical leaders who illuminate all areas of music today.  There concept is unique as they invite master artists to play together with exceptional young professional musicians, under the Artistic Direction of celebrated pianists Richard Goode and Mitsuko Uchida.  Below you wil find the 2009 schedule directly from Marlboro’s website.  We highly recommend you attend and hope you enjoy the wonderful sounds of Marlboro Music Festival

Marlboro’s 59th Season: July 18th-August 16th, 2009

The programs offer chamber music for diverse instrumental and vocal combination’s from all musical periods. Selected each week from among some 70 works in rehearsal at any one time, the programs are announced Saturday just one week prior to weekend performances.

To purchase tickets over the phone, please call our Box Office at (215) 569-4690.  Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.

Concert Schedule

Please Note: All performances take place in Persons Auditorium at Marlboro College in Marlboro, VT. Please call (215) 569-4690 with any questions or concerns.

Opening Weekend 2009

Saturday, July 18th at 8:30pm
Sunday, July 19th at 2:30pm

Week Two

Saturday, July 25th at 8:30pm
Sunday, July 26th at 2:30pm

Week Three

Saturday, August 1st at 8:30pm
Sunday, August 2nd at 2:30pm

Week Four

Saturday, August 8th at 8:30pm
Sunday, August 9th at 2:30pm

Week Five

Friday, August 14th at 8:30pm
Saturday, August 15th at 8:30pm
Sunday, August 16th at 2:30pm

**Final Weekend Package w/ All Three Performances

The Yellow Barn Music School and Festival, is an internationally known chamber music professional school and concert located in Putney, Vermont. Join them this year, 2009, for their 40th Anniversary season. Yellow Barn provides a supportive, noncompetitive and challenging learning environment. They offer an inspiring five-week study and performance experience for advanced students and young professionals. Enjoy their imaginative programming at the primary five-week festival session, July 5th through August 9th, which attracts some of the best up-and-coming young string, piano, woodwind and percussion players in the nation.They also provide an intensive workshop for younger students from June17th through July 4th. This Young Artist Program welcomes young instrumentalists and composers age 13-19 and culminates into three public performances. Together with a world-renowned faculty group, they explore and perform works from the Baroque to the contemporary. Treat yourself to some or all 30 amazing public concerts, master classes, pre-concert suppers and discussions this season. Be sure to stay with us at Forty Putney Road B&B, we are located in Brattleboro on Route 5, which is a straight shot to Putney only a short 15 minute drive.

2009 YELLOW BARN 40th ANNIVERSARY SEASON: JUNE 25 – AUGUST 8

Yellow Barn Young Artists Program: June 17 to July 4
Yellow Barn Music School and Festival: July 5 to August 9

YELLOW BARN SUMMER SEASON 2009

Young Artists Program and Guest Artist Performances
Sunday June 21, Performance by So Percussion, Putney
Friday June 26 and Saturday June 27, Joint Yellow Barn and Mohawk Trail Concert, Charlemont, MA
Thursday July 2 and Friday July 3, Young Artists Program Concert

Yellow Barn Festival
Friday July 10, Yellow Barn Opening Concert, Putney
Saturday July 11, Yellow Barn Concert, Putney
Thursday July 16-Saturday August 8 (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays), Yellow Barn Concerts, Putney

Master Classes
Saturday, July 11, Master Class with Gilbert Kalish, Putney
Saturday, July 18, Master Class with Donald Weilerstein, Putney
Saturday, July 25, Master Class with Steven Doane, Putney
Monday, July 27, Master Class with Robert Mann, Putney
Saturday, August 1, Master Class with Roger Tapping, Putney

Special Dates
Saturday June 27, Mountaintop Musicale 40th Anniversary Party: Featuring Young Artists Program Participants, Walpole, NH
Saturday July 18, GALA Performance with Peter Frankl, Putney
Saturday July 25, Open House Event at the Greenwood School, Putney
Wednesday July 29 and Wednesday August 5, Yellow Barn Concert, Northampton, MA
Saturday August 8, Yellow Barn Season Finale Concert, Putney

PURCHASE TICKETS

(800) 639-3819 x107
(802) 387-4726 fax
tickets@yellowbarn.org

Many folks do not think of Vermont as a spring destination, but it is actually a great time of year to visit Brattleboro.  Brattleboro kicks off the Spring season right with Gallery Walk, Sidewalk Sales, Farmers Market, Live Music, Live Entertainment and don’t forget all of the beautiful flowers in bloom! Check out our list of great events below and come stay with us at Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast this spring!

Brattleboro Sidewalk Sale will be held in downtown Brattleboro on May 1st, 2nd, & 3rd 2009, organized by Build a Better Brattleboro.  Downtown Brattleboro is home to many outdoor events, join local businesses as they kick off the spring season right with deals and discounts.

Gallery Walk, on Friday night will follow the sidewalk sale.   All of the Galleries, many restaurants and shops will open up to display a variety of art work, sculptures and paintings.

River Garden Event also in downtown Brattleboro, on Saturday, May 2nd,  from 10am – 4pm will host a pottery exhibit and sale complete with food and live entertainment by Brattleboro Music Center’s Music School  join them for there Performathon.  Music School students perform recitals all day to raise money for the student scholarship fund. Public invited free.

Brattleboro Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 2nd from 9am – 2pm.  Enjoy local grown flowers, herbs, produce and locally made Vermont products along with live entertainment.

Brattleboro Museum and Art Center presents Charmed by Audrey: Life on the Set of Sabrina at 2 pm on Sunday, May 3rd at 2pm. Located in downtown Brattleboro at 10 Vernon St, tickets are $6. Join the BMAC as they celebrate Audrey Hepburn’s 80th birthday with a screening of the 1954 film Sabrina starring Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden. Following the film , photographer and author Juliet Cuming of Dummerston, Vt., will sign copies of her new book, Charmed by Audrey: Life on the set of Sabrina, which features photographs by Cuming’s father-in-law, famed fashion and celebrity photographer Mark Shaw.

The Race for a Reason is an annual fundraiser hosted by the SIT Graduate Institute Chapter of Net Impact. This event will begin at 10am, on Saturday, May 2nd, with the customary 5/10k run/walk, and continue the festivities with games, food, live music, and entertainment. There will be also be a silent auction with a selection of wonderful items generously donated by Brattleboro businesses. Net proceeds will benefit our ‘Reason’, Morningside Shelter, which is the only homeless shelter in southern Vermont. Join them in celebrating spring and give your support to a fantastic local cause!  For more details contact Sara LeHoullier (919)257-0057

For continued updates on what is going on around Brattleboro, follow us on twitter or sign up for email alerts on our blog, innbrattleboro.com.