Staytripper, February 2021
Cross-Country at Craftsbury Outdoor Center; Strolling Ripton’s Spirit in Nature Paths; Entertainment Without Leaving Your Living Room
The Magnificent 7: Must See, Must Do, January 28 to February 3
1. Women’s Work What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase “nine to five”? Chances are it’s Dolly Parton’s 1980 hit song “9 to 5” or the movie of the same name starring Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda as overlooked and underpaid secretaries. In fact, “the movie was married…
Chart Your Approach to Midwinter With ‘Staytripper’
There are two ways to approach midwinter in Vermont. You can lean into the belief that there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing, and head outside for whatever fun can be found in the snow, sleet or slush. Or you can give in to February fatigue, pop some vitamin D and hibernate at home. No…
Discovering the Draw of Cross-Country Skiing at Craftsbury Outdoor Center
Cross-country skiing, when well executed, is a graceful embrace of physics — a delicate balance of velocity, gravity, friction, force and drag. Driving up the dirt road to Craftsbury Outdoor Center in northeastern Vermont, I watched in awe as skiers swept across the hillsides and darted in and out of the treeline like birds. It…
Ski, Skate or Bike Your Way Through Vermont
Ice Skating on Lake Champlain Weather permitting, ice rinks will be cleared for daytime skating on Lake Champlain’s City Bay on February 13 and 14, with parking and entry by Hero’s Welcome General Store in North Hero. Visit greaticevt.org or call 372-1795 in advance for updates. When the winter weather cooperates, Lake Champlain’s shores transform…
Nature Conservancy Artist-in-Residence Elizabeth Billings Finds Beauty in the Wild
Tunbridge artist Elizabeth Billings had been aware of the Nature Conservancy for years but had never visited one of the 58 natural areas it has preserved in Vermont. That is, until she received a call from the Vermont chapter asking her to be its first artist-in-residence. Billings said yes and last September began exploring the…
Connecting With the Land Around Ripton’s Spirit in Nature Paths
In preparation for a recent daytrip to Ripton, my husband and I threw snowshoes, hiking poles and various clothing layers into the car. I filled up our water bottles. Then I departed from my usual modus operandi. I pretty much cannot leave for any excursion without tucking fruit, nuts and a granola bar in my…
Virtual Events to Enjoy From Your Living Room This Winter
Sometimes a staycation means checking into a cute B&B in a neighboring town and exploring the local attractions. Other times, particularly during the era of physical distancing, it means finding creative ways to have fun right in your own home. We’ve compiled a wide range of virtual events from Vermont organizations, including concerts, lectures, book…
Obituary: David Watts, 1945‑2021
Through his legal career and volunteer activities, Charlotte man was committed to justice
