Birch Ridge Inn Snow Stake
retired for the summer 

I finally put away the snow stake, officially recognizing that summer is upon us in Vermont. Of course, I was also being quite pragmatic, as Johnny C needed to have a clear run to cut the grass in the area where the snow stake resides for the winter. It is just amazing how quickly the grass grows in the mountains given a little rain, some sunshine, and comfortable temperatures. They don't call them the Green Mountains for nothing!

It has been a fairly quiet week around town. Mary and I have spent most of our time either working at the Inn or playing in various golf tournaments. The Killington Chamber of Commerce had a little tournament on the Killington Resort course in the showers on Tuesday. It was nice to have a chance to get out on the course with some of my friends who work at the resort. This was my first outing on the resort course this summer, and it was in really good shape. Probably the best early season shape in the last 5 years. I only got a chance to play the front nine. Next week, the Grist Mill sponsors a tournament a the resort course, so we will get a chance to see the whole layout.

On Wednesday, Mary and I played in a tournament at Green Mountain National to benefit charities sponsored by the Killington Rotary. The greens at Green Mountain are just coming in super. Green Mountain purchased a new green roller at the beginning of the season, and it is really starting to show in the quality of the putting surfaces.

A couple of weeks ago I purchase a new Callaway driver. Over the last couple of weeks, when most of the golf we have been playing is in a scramble format, you can just swing away. I have been pretty happy with the new driver so far as it is just crushing the ball off the tee. It will be interesting to see if I am still happy with it next week when I have some individual rounds scheduled. Who knows what it will do for my golf handicap this summer.

Where ever you may be this weekend, keep it in the fairway and don't forget your sunscreen.

Killington Town Hall Sign 

At a meeting last night in the Killington town offices, executives from Powdr Corp, Chris Nyberg, and SP Land LLC, Steve Selbo, met with the Killington Board of Selectmen to discuss their views on the operations of the Killington Resort. According to people directly involved in the meeting, the overall presentation indicated that the resort would be operated with more focus, aimed at improving overall profitability of ski operations.

A note widely circulated around town this morning from a meeting attendee, and quoted with permission below, commented that Powdr Corp plans discussed last evening included the following:

1. Powdr will make modest capital investments next year, in areas that will not be totally evident to most people. (Note from Bill.. In prior public statements, Powdr had stated that they will be spending much of their time and initial development dollars improving resort infrastructure to enhance the guest experience. But many of the improvements would, by their nature, be invisible to resort guests.)

2. Skier visits will probably drop, as a reaction to higher prices and fewer give aways. All programs involving free skiing, including programs involving local students will be reexamined.

3. Powdr's emphasis will be on higher margins from fewer skier visits, resulting in more profits(higher yield per skier).

4. Future capital investment will be funded from profits/cash flow. Funding will be at a maintenance level until profits make more possible.

5. Major lift improvements will wait for profits. Adjustments might occur in lifts where it makes sense to accomodate/enhance skier traffic and improvement of skier enjoyment.

6. Marketing will be done by a small group of highly skilled people. The effectiveness of marketing dollars will be closely monitored and scutinized to assure payback to the ski resort.

7. Internally managed and run programs will be favored over outsourced/local contracts.

8. Emphasis will be on winter, not summer guest traffic.

9. The interconnect is probably at least five years away, more likely 10 years , based on profitability/turnaround/ real estate sales.

10. Impact of lower skier traffic will not be the primary concern. More emphasis will be placed on higher margin busines with fewer guests. Fewer guests will not mean that less emphasis will be placed on real estate development. Real estate development may be focused on high end real estate/ high margin business.

11. Real estate development is a 25 year project. A lot needs to be done to get it started. Partners wil be considered in high risk investments.

12. Powdr and SP Land have minority investments in each others business..

From the perspective as a Killington business owner, it is too early to tell what this all means. On the one hand, I totally understand the need to drive the resort to profitability. That is the only way, long term, for a business to sustain itself. I also appreciate the need to immediately improve segments of the resort operations which may not be directly visible to resort guests, provided that the net effect is to improve the overall guest experience.

It is hard to react to the comments concerning skier visits and marketing, as both have been declining in recent years under previous resort management. In recent years, with the advent of a variety of very low cost seasons passes, ASC had changed the nature of the resort, resulting in an increase in day skier traffic and a decline in long term visitors. Those changes did not improve the resort. In my opinion, as an innkeeper, re-aiming the resort to providing a quality experience for people spending multiple days visiting the resort is a good thing, if that is the message Powdr is trying to give. Only time will tell...So it goes.

P.S. Don't forget your sunscreen.

Johnny Boys Pancake House
on the Killington Road 

Since we have returned from Ireland, the weather at Killington has been very good. So having a rainy day today was not a bad thing. Instead of an 8:30 AM tee time this morning at Green Mountain National, the group I was scheduled to play golf with got together at a great place for breakfast on the Killington Road, Johnny Boys Pancake House. I went the traditional Bacon and Eggs route (sunnyside up). Within the group we also had an omelette, pancakes, and a Johnny Boy - something like Eggs Benedict only with a jalapeno cheese sauce replacing the hollandaise.

Of course at breakfast we solved all of the worlds problems (we should be congratulated for that) as well as comparing notes about what is going on around town. The biggest thing on deck in town, of course, is the new ownership of Killington. Nothing new to report on that front, as the new owners have taken a decidedly low profile. Rumor has it that season pass prices will be released for the next ski season later this week, but other than that it is very quiet in town.

At the inn, the day without golf has helped me catch up with some of the other items on my plate. Most of my work at the inn over the next couple of weeks will be related to re-opening the restaurant at the end of the month, as well as menu preparation for the upcoming Killington Wine Festival in the middle of July. Until then, if you get out on the course in the near future, keep it in the fairway, and don't forget the sunscreen.

Charlie Brunell
driving the ball on Hole #11
at Green Mountain National Golf Course. 

Yesterday, Mary and I had the privilege to play in the Jeff Hadley ALS Golf Tournament at Green Mountain National Golf Course. Jeff was the first head professional at Green Mountain. Unfortunately, he succumbed last year to ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease.

(For those of you who did not have a chance to meet Jeff, he was a dedicated golf professional, an ardent promoter of summer in Killington, and a really nice guy. Killington is a very small community. Jeff had many friends here and is truly missed.)

Yesterdays tournament at Green Mountain saw approximately 175 players tee off to support ALS research. All proceeds from the tournament, including the $125 entry fee and proceeds from a silent auction are being dedicated to fund research into identifying a cure for Familial ALS, the type of ALS which unfortunately is genetically passed through Jeff's family.

At the tournament, Mary and I paired up with Nina Tasi and Charlie Brunell, former owners of the Fox and Pheasant Inn. We were joined by Mark Larrabee, head professional at Eastman Golf Course in Grantham New Hampshire. I am happy to report that our team carded a 61 for a net 50, taking first place net for the tournament.

While yesterday does not make up for the loss suffered by Jeff's family, it was a very nice day to pay homage to a true gentleman who shared with all of us his love for the game of golf.

Peter Lynch looking in the cup
for his ball on Hole #7
at Green Mountain National Golf Course. 

Congratulations go out to Peter Lynch who shot a hole in one this morning on the par 3 Hole #7 at the Green Mountain National Golf Course. From the white tees, with an 8 iron, under beautiful blue skies, Peter's ball hit the front of the green, took 2 bounces, seemed to stop briefly, then disappeared from view into the cup.

Witnessing the event, and sharing a celebratory beverage on the 19th hole later in the day, was Howie Barbash, Norm Holcomb, and Bill Vines (aka yours truly). It was a really nice day for a round of golf. Congratulations Pete!

Gus O'Connors Pub, Doolin Ireland 

Note from Bill: Mary and I were fortunate to be able to visit Ireland on vacation earlier in the month of May. This posting is the 4th and final posting of a 4 part series on our adventure.

For our last 2 full days in Ireland, we bid Killarney goodbye and headed out through the Irish countryside to a little seacoast town in county Claire called Doolin for a stay at a charming B and B called Daly's House. The initial part of the trip was uneventful. The road between Killarney, Limerick, and Shannon is actually a real divided highway in many places.

Ennistimon cascade in Ennistimon Click to enlarge

To the west of Shannon, we left the divided highway and once again proceeded down what passes for numbered highways in Ireland. About 20 kilometers west of Doolin, we arrived at the town of Ennistimon where we decided to do lunch. Ennistimon is a little village that is stuck in time. There are huge developments taking place on the resort beaches to the west of Ennistimon. We saw many cars loaded with wind surfing equipment. But Ennistimon did not try to cater to the traffic that was passing through it. The town has several nice little pubs, which did not appear to serve food mid-day, and a nice little restaurant where Mary and I sat and relaxed for a few minutes. Just behind the village is a moderately sized waterfall complex called the "Cascade". In days gone by, the village used water power in its now empty small factories. At some point, I expect it will become a regular stop for people touring Ireland, but for the time Mary and I were there, we had the walk along the waterfalls all to ourselves. And we did not have to pay a 10 euro admission fee to boot.

After lunch, we headed back out to complete our day's journey to Doolin. We had about 20 kilometers to go, and felt pretty good right about now about our skill in navigating the Irish countryside. Just as we entered Doolin, we stopped by the side of the road to pull out the directions to Daly's House. While parked on the side of the road, a car raced towards us....Big Wack... our side mirror was now torn off the car and in pieces. The car that hit us sped off, never to be seen again. (If you see a gold colored Ford in Ireland with no right side mirror...Call me!) Oops.. we did not have the extra insurance. Luckily, there was no other damage, and more importantly no one was hurt. We were able to settle with Hertz for just over 200 Euro's when we brought the car to Shannon the next day.

Rental Car sans passenger side mirror Click to enlarge

Fresh from our little excitement, we arrived about 10 minutes later at Daly's House in Doolin. Daly's House is run by Susan Daly, a strong petite irish woman. She greeted us with a cup of tea, called the police for us to file and accident report, and told us about the area. One of the main reasons to visit Doolin is the Irish Music played in the several pubs in town. As I was getting thirsty, Susan directed us to take a 100 meter walk down the lane to Gus O'Connors pub. (Susan, by the way, used to be the owner and head bar maid in the place prior to selling it several years ago.)

Gus O' Connors Pub is one of the most famous pubs in Ireland. It is reputed to be the home of Irish music, and it is truly a special place. Each night, in the center of the pub, a table is left empty with a reserved sign on it. Local musicians wander in with their instruments and sit at the table, The bar tender provides them with their favorite beverage, usually of the malt variety, but I also saw a lot of hard cider. And then the musicians start playing. Irish folk songs, various ballads, bar patron requests, you name it, who ever is sitting at the musicians table plays what ever they want. Our first night in Doolin we got to O'Connors about 6:00PM. We actually wound up sitting at a table with another couple from Vermont. Many, many Guinness, and Jameson's later, we stumbled out around 1:00 AM. If the other couple did not have a plane to catch back home in the morning, I think we might have gone all night. O'Connors is that type of place. If you go to Ireland, and are in County Clare, it should not be missed.

Gus O'Connors Pub In Doolin Click to enlarge	Irish Singers In Gus O'Connors Click to enlarge

The next day, feeling surprisingly spry, we headed out to tour the countryside. Our first stop was the scenic Cliffs of Moher. Rising about 800 feet out of the North Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher provide a stunning commentary about the linkage between Ireland and the sea. Rising straight up, the Cliffs are filled with all kinds of nooks and crannies which provide nesting space for countless sea birds. One sad point about our visit to the Cliffs was the commercialization of the area. Susan Daly told us when we returned to her guest house that the Cliffs receive over 1 million visitors per year. The European Union has just completed a $31 Million Euro project (about $40M at current exchange rates) to build a visitors center and walkways set back off the Cliffs to handle the crowds. While we were there, it was relatively peaceful and uncrowded with only a few tour buses in the parking lot, but the development along the Cliffs to handle visiting crowds is massive.

The Cliffs of Moher Click to enlarge

As a side note, I am sure that some development was necessary. The EU did not remove the old pathway on the edge of the Cliffs. I would imagine, that if 1 million people have been visiting it for a few years, more than a few tourists experienced a 800 foot dive off the cliff edge into the Atlantic. But no more.

After our visit to the Cliffs, we headed north down some very small country roads out into the Burren. The Burren, or "Rocky Land", is a vast plateau of limestone deposits stretching from the sea several miles inland in Country Clare. The limestone deposits are scarred by channels scoured by rain. Over the years, the channels have accumulated small amounts of dirt, in which many strange small flowers have taken root. Scattered throughout the Burren are ancient settlements. As the rock is basically impenetrable, you will also see the remains of ancient burial chambers spread out across the Burren.

in the Burren Click to enlarge

On our way back through the Burren, we took the coast road from the village of Black Head. I have driven the Pacific Coast Highway, so I have seen roads built on the sea coast in mountainous areas, but the views from Black Head to Doolin were out of this world. The barren, foreboding, other worldly Burren was to your left. The deep blue, wave cresting, boiling Atlantic was to your right, many times literally hundreds of feet down from the car door. It was a beautiful way to finish our tour around the southeast of Ireland.

That night, we headed back to Gus O'Connors for one last taste of the good stuff made by Irish brewers. With our vacation coming to a close, we were both relaxed and exhilarated at the same time. We had navigated through Ireland. Met a lot of very nice fellow innkeepers. Tasted our fill of various Irish nectars. Like all vacations, it was too short, but it was also time to go home to Killington.

Mary and Bill hoisting a glass goodbye to Ireland at Gus O'Connors Pub Click to enlarge

The next morning, Susan Daly cooked us our final Irish breakfast of the trip, we settled our bill, and headed out one last time down little Irish country roads. At about 1:30 in the afternoon, our plane took off from Shannon Airport for the trip across the Atlantic. By 4:30 PM, after just under a 6 hour flight, we were through customs and in our car heading back to Vermont.

I do miss the pubs. I need a Guinness!

Mizenhead Light Station,
the southwest tip of Ireland 

Note from Bill: Mary and I were fortunate to be able to visit Ireland on vacation earlier in the month of May. This posting is the 3nd of a 4 part series on our adventure.

As we left Kinsale on our 5th day in Ireland headed towards Kerry and the Friars Glenn Country House, we still did not have a true appreciation of Irish country roads. We only had about 200 kilometers to travel on the route we had planned for the day. For a number of reasons, it is a ride we will not soon forget.

Molls Gap at on the road to Killarney Click to enlarge

It started out calmly enough. The route we selected aimed us at Mizenhead Light Station, the furthest point southwest in Ireland, before turning north for the ride through the mountains to Kerry. As we are tooling through the Irish countryside, the roads started to get very narrow. By the time we got to Mizenhead, the road was barely 1 lane wide. Mary had a firm grip of the sissy handle on the passenger side as many time we were careening into the bushes on the side of the road to accommodate oncoming traffic. With about 20 kilometers to Mizenhead, the road narrowed again. It was basically a path that sheep would take between fields. And this was a numbered highway twisting around seaside cliffs. I spotted a tour bus about 1 km ahead of us heading in the same direction. For once in my life, it was a welcomed sight. I sped up to get snuggle right up behind the bus. It did a great job of clearing the road for the last 15 kilometers to the light station.

The scenery at Mizenhead Light Station is breathtaking. Set on jagged cliffs jutting out into the Atlantic, you can get a real sense on how the ocean has shaped life in Ireland. The western Irish coastline is basically a collection of cliffs, with little bays and protected harbors interspersed amongst the rocks. Mizenhead Light Station was originally built to guide mariners around the southern tip of Ireland as they crossed the Atlantic from the states headed towards Kinsale and Cork.

Friars Glen Country House in Killarney, County Kerry Click to enlarge

From Mizenhead, we turned north on our way to Killarney. Our route took us across the Caha Mountains and the Macgillicuddy Reeks, passing through the principle towns of Bantry and Kenmare along the way. This part of Ireland ranges from lush green farms to desolate mountain peaks devoid of color. There are any number of mountain gaps and passes which were traversed along the way, as well as several mountain tunnels. While being a pretty ride, because the roads were through the mountains it was also quite tiring. Our little rental car was breathing hard in several places as we crested some mountain peaks. Not to mention the constant shifting required to negotiate the many mountain switchbacks. We were very happy when we reached Killarney.

Muckross House In Killarney Click to enlarge

We stayed in Killarney at the Friars Glen Country House. It is a beautiful 10 room bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Killarney right beside Muckross House and Gardens. Mary Fuller, the innkeeper, was gracious beyond belief, providing us with delicious morning breakfasts and afternoon tea. Once she found out we were innkeepers in Killington, she made sure that she took our brochure, as she and her husband always take a ski vacation each winter.

Killarney is a rich environment for a visitor. There is just so much to do. We were getting tired of driving, so we decided not to drive the famous "Ring of Kerry". Instead, we spent most of the time hiking around the area. Next to Friars Glen was the Muckross House and Gardens, set on Muckross Lake. The grounds of Murkross House feature a 10 KM walk around the lake. It was just a delightful day. And we were walking on little Irish roads instead of driving on them.

Parade in Dingle Click to enlarge

The one day it rained consistently during our whole trip, we decided to visit the Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is a little fishing village/artist colony about 100 km east of Killarney. The ride was very pleasant with charming little villages, picturesque farm vistas, and any number of ocean inlets and bays to attract ones attention. When we arrive in Dingle, there was a local festival underway with marching bands and street entertainers, all performing in a driving rainstorm pretending it was a beautiful sunny day.

All told, the Killarney area was a welcomed break from our driving tour of Ireland. We stayed in Killarney for 3 nights. We had a chance to settle in, visit many nice pubs and restaurants, and casually tour the area. It is one spot we would go back to the next time we visit the Emerald Isle, but probably with our golf bags instead of our driving gloves.