Pico Peak in full fall regalia 

We often don't think to hard about Rutland Vermont, the closest "Big City" to Killington. Mary and I usually find ourselves in Rutland on errands 2 or 3 times a week. While most supplies are directly delivered to the inn, there are still some things that are better left to selecting by hand. Fruit for breakfast comes to mind.

After living full time in Vermont for over 10 years, the mountains in the area many times just form the background. They almost would become invisible, except for the fact that they are integral to the way of life for the people who live here.

There are 2 times of the year when the mountains really stand out. And both occur near the same time. The first, is right now, when fall colors change the mountain sides from a homogeneous green to a multi-colored canvas. The second, of course, is when the mountains are first graced with snow in the early winter. In both instances, the mountains stand bold and beautiful against the sky calling out to be looked at, and if you have the opportunity, to climb.

Today was one of those days when Pico called out to Mary on her way to Rutland. She usually does not carry a camera, but today she put it in her bag. What resulted is today's picture of Pico peak. Mary reports that Pico looks a few days short of peak color, with a good mix of orange, red, and green. It should probably be just right for a Columbus Day weekend hike.

Killington Peak painted by nature in red and orange 

Fall foliage season is always a busy time at the inn. But I took the opportunity this morning to drive up to the mountain to take in the fall colors. And the mountain is beautiful! Of course, in a few weeks we will describe beautiful as covered in snow... but the bright leaves of the fall are a great substitute.

The mountain is primarily colored this year in reds and oranges. The backside of Pico down to Rams Head was brilliant this morning, bathed in bright sunshine. The same color combination carried right across Snowdon Peak; the slope of which forms the foreground in todays picture. Temperatures are still a little warm, so Killington Peak in the background was slightly muted by some haze, but you could clearly see that the trees bordering the ski slopes were burning with more bright orange and red colors.

With the weather predicted to be warm through the week, with no precipitation or wind on the forecast, the colors should hold at least through the upcoming Columbus Day weekend.

Grow Killington
The Killington Economic Growth Initiative 

For Immediate Release --- KILLINGTON, Vt.
Members of the Killington Economic Growth Initiative are hosting a community benefit golf tournament at the Killington Golf Course on Sunday, October 14, 2007.

The Killington Economic Growth Initiative tournament is the perfect way to close out the golf season at the Killington Golf Course and raise money to create new energy in the town of Killington. Funds from the event will be used as "seed money" to get the community growth initiative off the ground. The Killington Economic Growth Initiative is a group of Killington townspeople and business owners who are exploring ways to create sustainable year-round economic development in the town of Killington.

The first goals of the organization are to be able to fund an events coordinator for the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration of Killington Resort, and to hire a business plan consultant to research long term goals for the town and the methods to reach them.

The golf tournament will begin at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start. The fee is $50 per person which includes greens fees, cart and a reception and awards celebration following the event. The format will be "Captain and Crew" with four person teams. Registration forms are available at www.growkillington.com.

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to play in the event and also to offer donations to the tournament and the general cause. Hole sponsorships are offered at $150. Local businesses are asked to donate food, gift certificates, prizes, etc. For donation and hole sponsorship information, contact Call Bill Bauer at Summit Lodge at (802) 422-3535 or Casey Crompton (802) 236-2179.

Special thanks are offered to Killington Resort for the donation of the golf facility for this event. Please join with them, and with the event organizers to kick off the beginning of new vitality in Killington.

Midway down Thundering Brook Falls 

The Killington area is filled with a lot of great places to just walk in the peacefulness of the forests of the Green Mountains. From several hour hikes up to Killington and Pico Peaks, or up to Dears Leap, to day long traverses along the Appalachian or Long Trails, the opportunity to get out and "away" from civilization is all around us.

A couple of days ago, Mary and I took a break from the inn and hiked around "Thundering Brook Falls". Thundering Brook Falls is ostensibly the tallest waterfall in Vermont. In the spring time, or during wet summers, the falls are aptly named. While this year has been a little dryer than most, water was still coming over the falls at a pretty good pace.

Mary and I started our hike down from the top of the falls. Most people start their climb from the bottom, where the Green Mountain Club has built a new wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. Nearly 1,000 feet long, it provides a nice view of the falls while crossing over the Ottauquechee River flood plain.

All in all, a very nice way to spend a couple of hours in Killington.

Moon Rising over Fall Foliage at Killington 

Even though temperatures have been in the 80's the last couple of days, there is no denying that winter will be coming soon. The majority of the trees around Killington are now showing their fall coats with the colors getting more vibrant every day.

"Peak Foliage" is becoming a question we are hearing more and more with each passing day. Historically, I have always felt that "Peak Foliage" in Killington was sometime during the first week of October. Last year, it was noticeably later, well into the second week. But this year, if I were to make a guess, I would say that peak in Killington should occur around the Columbus Day Weekend. Usually, Columbus Day Weekend is the second weekend of the month, but this year due to the calendar it is the first weekend.

Mother Nature is a capricious lady which makes the prospect of guessing the time for "Peak Foliage" just that... a guess. But no matter when it happens, Killington is a very pretty place to be in during this time of year.

Mary taking "Baby", her 1973 Mustang, to it's winter garage. 

Where did the summer go???

Although summer officially ended a couple of days ago, with temperatures in the mid 80's in Killington this afternoon, it is hard to believe that winter is on the way. But in a sure sign that the seasons are changing, Mary moved her mint condition 1973 Ford Mustang to it's winter garage. Mary will not be tooling through the mountains with the top down until next May.

So it goes!

Fog lifting at the 4th tee on Green Mountain National Golf Course 

The color change this morning in the fall foliage colors around Killington was quite noticeable. Last evening saw a cold front move through the area, replacing temperatures in the low 80's during the day on Saturday with temperatures in the low to mid 60's today. The change in temperature last evening, temperatures got into the low 40's, seemed to trigger a sharper change in color in the leaves than the warm weather of the last several days.

Within the area, may of the maple trees have started to turn various shades of red. The birch trees around the inn have started to fade from their summer green. Many of them have taken on a yellow hue. And some of the oak trees have started to contribute a little orange to the festivities. The color show that nature puts on every year in Killington is in full swing!