Mary teeing off on the par 3
13th hole at Green Mountain National.
Notice that fall foliage color is starting to appear. 

There are a lot of things going on around Killington. This weekend sees the return of the Killington Classic Motorcycle Rally. In addition, many locals have gotten involved in the Grow Killington Initiative. And of course, the area is entertaining late summer guests, preparing to receive fall foliage visitors, and trying to figure out how to work with the new owners of the Killington Pico Ski Resort for the upcoming winter..in other words, there is a lot going on...

I was lucky enough to play golf on Thursday and Friday. As you can see from the picture of Mary on the 13th hole at Green Mountain, the trees have started to change color. This time of year is very pretty in Vermont. While on the course, because so much is going on around town, I got to thinking about how you can learn a lot about life in a round of golf. Of course, some times too much thinking can get in the way of having a good round; but anyways...here is my list:

10. Golf is a game of rules. But it is also a game of "Ladies and Gentlemen". Always remember the golden rule...Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

9. If a person cheats at golf, which is only a game, what does that say about a person when they have to deal with more serious topics?

8. You are handicapped, not haunted, by your past performance. To influence future results, you must keep focused on the present.

7. The ball you have just hit, is already out of your control.

6. Only the preparation you do before hitting the ball has any influence on where the ball may land after you strike it.

5. There is no such thing as a good bounce or a bad bounce. There are only bounces. Our interpretation of a bounce molds our psyche about it's quality. My good bounce may be a bad bounce for my playing partner.

4. It is easier to hit the ball off the fairway than out of the rough. Stay in the fairway.

3. Golf is a worldwide game played with standard rules. Golf technology and physical conditioning regimes are ever changing. Build on the knowledge of others who play the game around the world. Integrate their knowledge of the game into your own.

2. Even though golf is a worldwide game, it is still played on local courses. Those who ignore local knowledge, or reject it thinking they know better, are doomed to make mistakes that locals learned long ago to overcome.

1. You are the one that is swinging your club to strike your ball. You, and only you, are responsible for the outcome of your swing.

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

Somewhere on "E Trail" near "Julio" 

Although this may sound heretical to some, all of our free time is not spent wandering around the golf courses of Killington. Yesterday, we spent our free time wandering through the woods while climbing to the top of Killington.

We started our climb from our normal winter parking spot at the Killington Base Lodge in Bay 1. From there, we hiked up lower Bunny Buster to Mouse Trap and the bottom of Racers Edge. Racers Edge in the summer is used as a single track mountain bike trail, of what I would guess is fairly moderate difficulty. Normally we would be hesitant to hike it,trying to avoid bike traffic, but as there were only a half a dozen bikers on the mountain it was not a problem. Racers Edge is below and roughly parallel to the "C" trail on the Killington Hiking Map. "C Trail", know as "Great Northern" in the winter is a broad road, where as Racers Edge is a little wider than a path through the woods. A much more interesting hike.

We came out at the base of the "Glades" and meandered about on our way to the top. We did stop for a nice lunch at the Peak Restaurant. While we were there, we kept asking ourselves why we did not do this earlier in the summer, as the lunch at the peak was very nice.

While we were at the peak, we noticed a lot of maintenance work had been completed, with a lot more underway. The peak building has been completely repaired from the late spring storm damage. We also saw crews put painting the South Ridge Triple station, in addition to various pits of snow making plumbing repair around the mountain.

For our trek down, we followed the "E Trail" listed on Killington Hiking Trail Map. "E Trail" cuts through the forest between "Launch Pad" and Flume. In the process it cuts through the tree skiing trail "Julio", and across the primary trails Ovation, Old Superstar, Super Star, Skye Lark, Bitter Sweet, High Road, and Low Road, before coming out in the woods opposite the base of the Super Star Chair Lift. 'E Trail" was almost totally in the forest, away from bike trails and lifts. It was a very quiet, secluded hike through the woods, if you are into that sort of thing. Lions, tigers, and bears...oh my!

Several words of caution if you decide to hike up Killington. First, make sure you have proper foot wear. (No sandals or flip flops) Good athletic shoes (ie sneakers) are sufficient. Hiking boots over the ankle are better. Also bring plenty of water. Mary and I both consumed over 3/4 of a gallon of water each during our hike up and down the mountain. Yesterday was a warm day, so your needs may vary...but you will be much happier if you stay hydrated during your hike. Also, this time of year the weather on the peak is highly variable. Even though it may be warm at the base, you should bring a jacket or wind breaker with you in your pack incase the weather changes. And finally... have fun. You are not on Hannibal's forced march across the Alps... Stop and look around. The mountain is filled with interesting trees, flowers, rock formations, views.... Take in the sights... It is a beautiful place to be.

Where ever you may be this holiday weekend don't forget your sunscreen.

"Sentinel Tree" announcing the start of fall foliage 

While I was playing golf this morning, at Green Mountain National, I could not help but notice that many of the trees which had been a resplendent green last week were taking on decidely red and orange hues. Nothing major yet, mind you, but the change was evident.

It peaked my curiosity. So on my way home, I started looking for a collection of fall foliage "Sentinel Trees"; the trees who change color first to announce the arrival of the fall season. Sure enough, many of these first trees of the season were already showing color. Right across the street from the inn is a swamp maple that is already bright red.(See todays picture).

Now before I get too far a field here, you may be thinking...gee it sounds like fall is coming early!. I know I had that thought in the back of my mind myself as I was driving back to the inn this afternoon. But blogs are a beautiful thing. It turns out that last year, on August 28, I posted last years first post announcing the beginning of the 2006 fall foliage season. Pure coincidence mind you from a blog posting stand point. But an interesting marker about the season.

It is way too early to tell how the fall season will turn out. When peak foliage will occur in Killington? How long the foliage last? Will the colors be vibrant or muted? But one thing I do know with absolute certainty....the colors of fall will be upon us again this year in fairly short order. I have my camera ready. Do you???

Where ever you may be, just remember to keep it in the fairway, and don't forget your sunscreen.

Green Mountain National Golf Course
2007 Ladies Club Champions.
(l-r) Carol Kostelnik - Low Net,
Mary Furlong - Runner Up,
Lida Wilson - Club Champion 

In a 2 day tournament last Thursday and Firday, the ladies of Green Mountain National battled it out for the title of 2007 Women's Club Champion.

Mary, who usually does not like to play golf 2 days in a row, did very well. She came in as first runner up 3 shots back from Lida Wilson who took the top spot. Carol Kostelnik won the low net honors for the ladies annual tournament.

Congratulations ladies!

Where ever you may be, just remember to keep it in the fairway, and don't forget your sunscreen.

Chairs in the gardens behind the Birch Ridge Inn 

Global warming indeed. (No political commentary intended.)

Brrrrr...It is down right chilly in Killington today. A late summer cold front has descended upon the area from Canada, scouring out any remnants of the hot and humid air that has been blanketing the area most of the summer. Temperatures last night dipped into the 40's at the inn. Today, they re struggling to make it past the mid 60's. While I am still in my summer shorts, it is still August after all, I did have to close the window in my second floor office because of the cool air. It's wonderful! And it is a harbinger of things to come...Dare I say "let it ...." no... to early for that!

Where ever you may be, just remember to keep it in the fairway, and don't forget your sunscreen.

Nina, Carolyn, Mary and Roberta
at the first tee at the Blush Hill Country Club in Waterbury Vermont 

While I try to get out on the course 3 or more times a week, Mary also escapes from the inn several times a week to hit the round ball down the fairway as well. While a lot of the men at Killington play locally, each week the ladies go on a field trip to different parts of the state to play in "Ladies State Day" sponsored by the Vermont State Women's Golf Association.

This week, the ladies traveled to Waterbury Vermont to play at the Blush Hill Country Club. The course was a typical rolling Vermont course with a few hills. It was well maintained with some very nice gardens. While being only a 9 hole course, the ladies played alternate tees the second time around to fill out an 18 hole card.

Kudo's go out to Nina for her round at Blush Hill. Nina carded a 92, taking low gross honors for the foresome. They celebrated with an ice cream stop at the Ben and Jerry's factory, just up the street from Blush Hill in Waterbury. Mary enjoyed a strawberry ice cream cone before heading back to Killington.

Where ever you may be, just remember to keep it in the fairway, and don't forget your sunscreen.

Grow Killington
The Killington Economic Growth Initiative 

In addition to various activities to promote our inn, like the video work from the last post, I have also gotten involved this summer on a start up project in the community dubbed the "Killington Economic Growth Initiative".

The initiative is actually an outgrowth of work developed by Bill Bauer of the Summit Lodge and Chris Karr of the Pickle Barrel night club. Back in March at the Killington Town Meeting, Bill and Chris were able to get an article placed on the town meeting ballot which, in it's simplest incarnation, was to hire an events planner for Killington and pay for this person with a 3 cent increase to local property taxes. The tax item basically made the article a non-starter, but with the sale of the resort by ASC looming in the background in March, the issue of economic development stuck in peoples minds.

In June, the local selectboard raised the issue again, this time calling for a 1% local option tax to be used to fund the initiative. Unfortunately, the initiative had not yet been born, and a group of local citizens, myself included, asked the selectboard to humbly refrain from discussions of taxes to fund development until a plan which required taxes surfaced. From those discussions, a group of citizens were pulled together into an ad-hoc town committee chaired by Bill and Chris to create a plan for economic growth in Killington.

From a simple beginning, the economic growth initiative is starting to take on a life of it's own. A full blown community effort is underway within the Killington Community to collect ideas about growing the local economy. Currently, there are 7 sub-committees formed to investigate various areas. At this point, about 40 people in Killington have gotten actively involved including many local residents, retirees, business owners, selectmen, Powdr Corporation (the new owners of the resort), and the Killington Chamber of Commerce.

I have gotten involved as the chair of the Communications Committee for the initiative. Much of my time has been spent creating a website for the initiative called growkillington.com, creating the "Grow Killington" watering can logo and setting up a chat room for the group to work collaboratively, called 'The Garden".

Oh... and incase you were wondering about the tax discussions, funding for the economic initiative is still an open question. Right now the group is researching various funding avenues including grants from federal, state, and county agencies. We are also looking at how other communities have funded similar initiatives through the creation of non profit foundations. While funding the initiative recommendations via tax mechanisms are not out of the question, the group is heavily invested to fund the initiative through other means. The good news in all of this is that a group of local people have been energized to get involved to help grow the local economy.

If you would like more information about the project, or would like to join the group working the initiative, the website is a good first place to stop to find out more information about what people are working on in town. Where we are still in the exploratory stages, if you are interested in coming on board, now is the time to bring your ideas to the table.

And while I still have your attention, Mary and I have also managed to squeeze in a round or two of golf between raindrops the last couple of days. After all, all work and no play is really not very much fun, especially when you live in the Green Mountains of Vermont at Killington.

Where ever you may be, just remember to keep it in the fairway, and don't forget your sunscreen.