Raccoon Hay Sculpture at Snowed Inn 

When I got dressed this morning, I naturally reached for a short sleeve shirt and a pair of shorts. I was immediately greeted by Mary with the proclamation: "You do know that the weather forecasters are calling this the last day of summer!"

Now, I'm thinking ...wait a minute. It's only September 15th, not September 22nd. The Autumnal Equinox is not for another week...why are we rushing the season?

Well, come to find out, when I got to my computer this morning and looked at the weather forecast...It looks like Mary is right (as usual.... don't let her know.) This looks like the last day at Killington where the temperature might nudge 70 degrees. The forecast for the rest of the week is calling for temperatures struggling to get over the high 50's during the day with temps in the low 30's most nights.

I don't know about you, but I am not quite ready for winter yet. I have started my ski exercise program to get ready for the ski season, but I would like a few more warm days before the snow flies. But then again, this is New England.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway...and think warm thoughts.

Boss Hog at Moguls Sports Pub in Killington 

The Killington Classic Motorcycle Rally wrapped up today. Riders leaving the Killington region are experiencing partly cloudy and cool conditions for their rides home.

It is hard to get a gauge of the number of riders who took part in the event. The bikes participating came in all different shapes and sizes, and produced varying decibel levels. The ones with loud exhaust systems were easily heard at the inn. But we also saw cycles passing along the Killington Road in front of the inn that were quieter than an average car.

The Rutland Herald reported that about 300 riders took part in the parade to the Vermont Fair in Rutland on Friday night. I am sure we will find out an official count for the event later this week.

In the mean time, Boss Hog will be staying in town on display at Moguls on the Killington road. Boss Hog is one of the hay sculptures that is part of the Killington Hay Festival, which will continue at Killington through out the fall season.

A flock of turkeys on the front porch of the Birch Ridge Inn 

Here is an interesting one for you.

The arrival of colder overnight temperatures is becoming visible both in the foliage on the trees and in the behavior of local animals. Bear reports are coming in from all over town as the search for food prior to going into hibernation. But this one was weirder still....

When Mary woke up to do breakfast for guests, she found a flock of wild turkeys huddled on the front porch of the inn. Since there is no food of any kind on the porch, one can only speculate that they were there to take advantage of the shelter provided by the porch, and the warmth of the slate floor.

For what it's worth...

Have a good weekend.

The stars and stripes of the United States of America 

Today is a solemn day in modern American history.

To all who lost loved ones eight years ago, our hearts go out to you.

And to all of those who have been called to serve to respond to the tragedies of eight years ago, and to their families, you have our gratitude and support.

And to our leaders, whether we have agreed with you or not in how you have lead our countries response, you have our respect.

God Bless America.

The Killington Classic Motorcycle Rally returns this weekend. 

As we enter the fall season, there is a lot going on at Killington this weekend.

The Killington Classic Motorcycle rally returns. "Thunder throught the Mountains" is being produced by Killingtons' Economic Development and Tourism Commission with assistance from the Killington Chamber of Commerce. The Killington Classic begins this afternoon and continues through Sunday with a variety of events around town. See the Killington Classics' website for more details.

Also this weekend, visitors to the region can tour the area and collect pictures of Hay Sculptures placed outside many local businesses. A Hay Sculpture Map has been posted online by the Killington EDTC for people to print out and follow.

Where ever you may be this weekend, hit them straight and don't forget your sun screen.

killingtonblog.com Updates 

Two weeks ago I introduced a mobile version of Killingtonblog.com. I have continued to improve the blogs performance on mobile devices since then as I was able to collect some test data from people looking at the blog. Thus far I have been concentrating on smart phones. The blog has been tested against the following devices : Iphone, Ipod Touch, Blackberry Storm. Based on my testing, it should work with most Blackberry models. It should also work on many full feature phones which accept a "handheld" option in their browser setup.

I have also made some feature changes to the photo galleries used on the blog to make them more interesting. The current active gallery as I post this is the "Fall Foliage Gallery". You will notice in the gallery that I have added a small caption underneath the thumbnails with the date the pictures reference. Just for fun, I also listed a link to the "2008 Fall Foliage Gallery" so you can compare the progression of this years foliage changes to last year.

While I was at it, I did the same thing with the "Snow Stake Gallery". The snow stake gallery for the 2009/2010 season is not active yet (that will happen when I snap the pictures of the first snow fall for the season at Killington), but I have also linked it back to the "2008-2009 Snow Stake Gallery" to allow comparisons with last year.

Hope you enjoy the new blog changes. Where ever you may be, hit the ball straight, and don't forget your sun screen!

Cookie Monster at the Sunup Bakery on the Killington Road. 

All around Killington, hay sculptures are being set up to pay homage to Vermont agriculture and the arrival of fall. The Killington Hay Festival, a product of the Killington Economic Development and Tourism Commission, is underway.

Around Killington, and up and down Route 4, there are 34 hay sculptures set up. Animals of all kinds, as well as characters of whimsy, are being created with some imagination out of bales of hay. A guide map to all of the sculptures and clues for the Hay Festival Scavenger Hunt are available at the office of the Killington Chamber of Commerce on Route 4.

If you visit Killington in the next few weeks, get your camera out and get your picture taken with your favorite hay sculpture. Life can be so simple some times.