Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with vermont

Plan My Drive from ATL to Vermont

tmharris65 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:32:20 -0800

A few weeks ago, you guys helped to reassure me that I could drive from Atlanta to Vermont in December. Now, I'm asking you to offer some suggestions for that drive. The plan is to drive for three days, stopping after about 6 hours of driving each day, and arriving in Vermont on the third day. I'm looking for suggested routes and cities-towns-villages to stop in that would have some combination of a) cool place to spend the night, b) a nifty place to get a bite to eat, and/or c) something cool to see/do. Thanks for any suggestions!

Things to Do and See and Eat on the Western Side of the Green Mountains

foxy_hedgehog — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:47:27 -0800

My sister planned a trip for us to Vermont next weekend, and we are driving up from the Boston area on Friday morning. We will be heading to the western side of the Green Mountains (in between Arlington and Manchester), and I'd love your recommendations for everything and anything in the area and along the way. I did a search for Vermont on the sight, but there doesn't seem to be any info on this specific part of the state.

I'd be particularly keen on recommendations for particular hiking trails in the Green Mountains or elsewhere, other potentially fun outdoor antics, and any strong opinions on local restaurants, roadside attractions, alpaca farms etc. in the area or places to stop or eat or sightsee along the way.

Our likely course will be Route 2 through W. Massachusetts, and then Route 9 through Vermont. And it looks like it is going to be cold.

Thank you!

Seeking dog friendly hiking in central Vermont

youcancallmeal — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:50:28 -0800

Where should I go hiking in central Vermont with my dog for maximum leaf peeping and scenic vistas? I'm planning a short trip to VT (near Barre / Montpelier) in the next couple / few weeks and would love to take my dog for a day hike while I'm up there. I don't want anything terribly difficult, but something like a 5-7 mile loop or out and back would be great.

Drive to Vermont in December?

tmharris65 — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:53:33 -0800

Are we crazy to think of driving from Atlanta to Vermont in late December? We have reservations at a great loft-barn-cabin and we have our favorite table at our favorite restaurant reserved for a New Year's Eve dinner, but the flights are so expensive right now. How much stress will we add to our lives if we drive? (It's not the length of the trip that worries us ... it's the potential for winter weather that Georgians don't know how to deal with.)

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown Redux

Xurando — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:13:01 -0800

Vermont Mystery Filter: Help me prove it was arson. We have lived in our house in rural Vermont for over 20 years. A mile up the road from our house is a piece of property by a stream. When we first moved in, the property had two buildings on it. A cabin and a small house. About 18 years ago the cabin burnt down and the owners refurbished the house and made it bigger. 3 years later the house burned down. The owners sold the property to someone who built another house in a different location on the property across the stream and up a hill. It was a modern expensive house. The owners became underwater with the mortgage and were looking to sell. Four years ago they were both at work and came home to find the house was on fire and a total loss. The daughter of a couple down the road bought the property and over time has rebuilt the house on the foundation. The $300,000 figure listed in the article is low. Friday my wife was driving home and the police stopped her and said the house was on fire and was again a total loss. The officer said the property was "cursed".

I don't believe in curses. This has to be arson. All four fires happened when no one was home. Statistically this seems impossible. The police and fire marshall seem disinclined to do anything about it. I want to prove someone caused this. I have a suspect. Any ideas about where to start? I have no background in forensics. I've thought about going to local newspaper or asking my own insurance agent for advice. It's pretty creepy.

Where in VT should I get a wedding band tattoo?

cmar618 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:50:14 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tattoo shop in southern Vermont? Wedding band tattoo advice welcome as well. My wife and I are taking an vacation in VT for our one year anniversary and to commemorate the occasion, I would like to get a tattoo.

I am looking to get a wedding band "ring" tattoo so I don't have to wear the actual ring all the time. I work in a machine shop and we can't wear jewlery on our hands for safety reasons. If I feel the need to "class" my finger up, I will simply wear my titanium wedding band my wife gave me on my wedding day (not that I feel tattoos are unclassy).

At any rate, I have never had a tattoo before and would like some recommendations if anyone has any. I am aware that some artists don't do hand tattoos because they don't hold up but I think a simple black band might be okay.

Any Suggestions? Thanks.

btw we live in CT, if that matters

Travel in the NewEngland states. A little help please?

filmgeek — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:38:37 -0800

Travel plans through the Northeast (New England States) Looking for the fun/quirky ideas. Myself and my g/f - we know we want to travel in the New England area for about week (from Aug 7th-12th). We're cheap and we like to keep it that way (but don't want to camp in tents.)

We're thinking about going to the Arlington craft sale in VT on sat the 8th and the Mystic Outdoor festival on the 9th...

And beyond that, we don't know. We're mobile, adults (late 30s), I've traveled more than she has; but this is a first (a random cartrip vacation together.) She's never been to a BnB (so kitchy little cheaper ones are good...)

Not so interested in food festivals, but a brewery visit is fine...music festivals aren't our cup of tea either. Also a no-go anything involving the caging of animals (circuses and zoos make the baby jesus cry.)

Maybe a meetup (or crashing at a mefi's place) would be fun too.

C'mon - Give us your best. Feel free to toss in quirky or touristy 'don't miss' things

Going to Vermont!

Cat Pie Hurts — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 08:50:00 -0800

Help me plan my trip from Boston to Burlington, Vermont next weekend! Next weekend, I'm making my first trip ever to Burlington, VT to meet up with a long lost, now found friend, all by my lonesome. Our meetup isn't happening until Sunday afternoon (Downtown Burlington, Church St., wherever that is :)), but I'd still like to make a whole weekend out of it (at the very least, arrive early Saturday and stay over). I'll be driving up (I considered taking the train, but $88 round trip blows the budget and limits my exploratory options).

#1: I'm having difficulties finding reasonably priced lodging (reasonable being in the $75 - $100/night range - less would be better - the hotel is just going to be a place to sleep and nothing more). I had even thought about camping in the area, but it seems there are no decent campgrounds around with showering facilities (which I need if I'm going to meet a long lost friend!). Even staying on the NY side is an option (especially if it's cheaper!) Also, I don't necessarily need to stay right in the Burlington area. If something well priced and interesting is within an hour's drive, that would be OK, too (as long as I can make Burlington by 1pm on Sunday).

#2 What to do Saturday day, evening and Sunday morning? I keep forgetting to acquire a passport, so going up to Canada isn't an option, unfortunately (but I may drive as close to the border crossing as I can, just to see it) .
I'm more interested in outdoors type stuff (could be hiking, could be a scenic drive) on Saturday (day), especially things that allow me to explore the interesting things around the Lake.

Thanks!

Need help appealing a real estate assessment?

justkevin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:42:19 -0800

Where to find data to appeal a real estate assessment? My sister and I own a cabin & large plot of land in Pittsfield, Vermont. The town recently re-assessed all properties and we were (unpleasantly) surprised to see how much our property has sky rocketed in value. I'm not sure when the last assessment was, but based on tax records, its new assessed value is approximately 230% of its 2004 value and 150% of its 1008 value. The value is split around 60/40 between the land/house.

The town's new assessment is based on sales over the past 3 or 4 years. Total housing sales volume has dropped off in the last year, but according to the town, the few sales suggest prices haven't declined much.

Anyway, I want to make the case that our house and land aren't worth what they think they are.

Three points I'm basing my case on and corresponding questions:

1.) The house has not had renovations or anything but maintenance repairs the past two decades, unlike most houses sold during the past few years.

2.) The house does not have a reliable water supply (it has a well that has slowed to a trickle in the past two years).

3.) Most of the land has been enrolled in a land-use program since the previous assessment. This is somewhat of a complicated point-- it lowers our tax rate, but the land may never be developed without paying a substantial penalty.

Where can I find data that shows how an unimproved dwelling's value has changed over the past 4 years?

How does a lack of water affect a home's value?

How would a land-use program enrollment affect our land value?

I've tried using zillow and trulia to look for data, but haven't found any usable data.

Eugene vs Vermont vs Austin

youcancallmeal — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:13:22 -0800

What the difference between Eugene, OR, Vermont and Austin, TX? I'm considering moving to the Eugene area at some point in the next year for either grad school or to take a farming apprenticeship. I currently live in Austin and most recently have spent some time in Vermont. I'd like to know how the hivemind thinks these places stack up.

(Yes, I've read the Eugene threads, but I think this is a specific question that hasn't been previously answered.)

Things I love about Austin: the lakes, the dog-friendliness, the hills, the amazing food, the niceness of people, the music / film scene, the local stores and stuff

Things I loved about Vermont: the mountains, the trees, the friendliness, the "do it yourself" Yankee vibe, the cheese, the beer

Things I hate about Austin: the heat, the heat, the heat

Things I hate about Vermont: the six months of cold, the isolation

So, tell me. Will I like Eugene? What about it will I like? What about it will I hate?

Define "having a suspension."

papayaninja — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:45:33 -0800

Can I get my VT Operator's License now, or do I need to wait three months? So, Vermont has a graduated driver's license program, and you have to be 18 before you can get the real Operator's License. Hooray! My birthday was last week. However, back in November I got a speeding ticket and my license was suspended for three months, beginning on December 29.

June 29 will be 6 months from that date. In addition to being 18, you "must have not had any recalls, suspensions or revocations during the previous six-month period" in order to get an Operator's License.

So the question is, is that six months from the start of the suspension (i.e. in 5 days) or is that six months from the end of the suspension (three months and five days)? My other license expired on my birthday, but I'm out of state and not driving, so it's not an issue now, but it will be when I'm back in town.

Biking from Burlington

thegreatfleecircus — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:14:12 -0800

Approximately how long would it take to ride a bicycle from Burlington to Vergennes, VT at a leisurely pace? Also, is it a hilly route? I'm a pretty slow rider, but reasonably fit. I am thinking of bringing my bike along for a trip to Vermont next weekend. I have to get to a wedding in Vergennes after a couple of days in Burlington. How realistic is to plan on riding my bike out there? Any info on potential timing and terrain would be appreciated!

Where to take a 30th birthday long weekend near NYC?

toomuchkatherine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:47:39 -0800

I'm turning 30 in two weeks. Help me find a great ~4-day trip not too far from New York to celebrate it. My 30th birthday is June 26. I'm hoping to get out of town (NYC) for it; I don't have *too* much angst about turning 30, but I hope not to be sung "Happy Birthday" to in a local dive. And I've been meaning to explore the great Northeast more anyway.

I prefer the mountains to the beach, and am looking for someplace fun to go within a reasonable (6 hour?) train or car ride from New York City. I'd like to stay in a fun funky town, small city, or rural area. Hudson Valley? Vermont? Adirondacks? Lake Placid? Maine (too far?)? I don't have a tent of my own, so no utter backpacking, but I do like to hike etc.

I've been all over Western Massachusetts, because I have family there; it's nice, but I want to try something new. I will probably be on my own for one or two nights, and joined by the bf for the next part.

Would love any suggestions for towns or specific accommodations. I'm not super flush but am willing to spend a bit to make this a nice getaway.

Know a good Burlington, Vt motel and a cool restaurant?

Anonymous — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:18:31 -0800

Recommend a decent motel in Burlington, Vt, and the coolest restaurants in town? Going to see David Byrne at the Shelburne Museum next month. Trying to find a decent motel.

Don't need an indoor pool or anything, just clean and comfortable. Have seen the Vermont Cheap Motel List (http://www.motelguide.com/vtag.html) but it's just a list you apparently pay to get on. A little firsthand experience would go a long way.

A cool restaurant would be great too. Have read this thread: http://ask.metafilter.com/102050/Where-should-we-eat-in-Burlington-VT

... but it's not exactly what I'm after.

Seeking cool restaurants. "Cool" meaning memorable for its character while having good-to-great food. Not fine dining, necessarily, not the most expensive places in town. Just a place that's unique in its own way. A place you won't find anywhere else. Vermont has a reputation for funkiness, and I seek to bring in da funk to this trip.

Thanks.

(Anonymous because the trip is a surprise for someone who reads MeFi).

Wilder, VT versus Lebanon/Hanover NH.

icy — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:36:21 -0800

Wilder, VT versus Lebanon/Hanover NH. I recently got a job in Hanover, NH. I am looking for places to live and am trying to decide between living in the Lebanon/Hanover area or a cheaper place that I found in Wilder, VT. What are the pros and cons of renting in Wilder, VT versus the Lebanon/Hanover, NH area? I have heard there is a state income tax and sales tax in Vermont and I am trying to gauge how much this would affect me since I would be renting (vs. owning) and would be able to buy most anything I needed in Lebanon. Any other things to consider?

Any help/advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any suggestions for places to live in the area (hidden gems) let me know.

Renting a dorm room in Burlington, Vermont

Ylajali — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:07:24 -0800

Hi, MeFi's collective oracle. I was wondering if anyone out there has ever successfully rented as vacation accommodations a dorm room from either UVM, Burlington College or Goddard College in Burlington, Vermont. I'm planning a Memorial-Day getaway there and, because my needs are few, I figured that staying in a dorm room might be the most cost-effective option. Any tips, tricks or other insights would be gratefully received!

Seeking dog-friendly fun in New England!

youcancallmeal — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:55:52 -0800

Seeking places in Northern New England to take our puppy! We're picking our English Shepherd puppy up this weekend and are looking forward to a summer of puppy classes, hiking and swimming. The trouble is, we've got classes squared away, but where can we go to play? We're in central Vermont (near Montpelier) and would be willing to drive a couple of hours each way, more if there's a park where we can camp nearby. As far as I can tell, most state parks in VT, NH and ME don't allow dogs out of the campgrounds and hiking trails. We'd love to find a dog-friendly lake or dog beach or similar.

We want to be sure that he gets plenty of experience in the world off of our property, I just haven't got any idea about where to take him!

Help Me Make Old New England New.

MasonDixon — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:38:40 -0800

Obscure New England? I've seen the best, what about the rest? What quirky, "second tier," and out of the way places have I missed? My SO and I have been all over New England, we've seen the big stuff, especially the major stuff along the coasts. So . . .

What quirky, unique, oddball, hidden gems or secretly awesome places have we not been to?

What seldom visited state parks, by-way diners, unusual attractions, great picnic spots, attractions from an earlier age and things only-the-locals-would-know can you suggest?

Are ski lift ticket vouchers legit?

yom3ts — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:47:41 -0800

What's the deal with cheap and abundant ski lift ticket vouchers? Going to Stowe in Vermont next week. Lift tickets usually sell for $84/day, or $223 for a 3-day pass. All over eBay, Craigslist, etc there are "vouchers" for sale, offering $99 three-day passes. The vouchers are listed at about $20-$25, so all in all this is about a 50% discount.

What's the deal? Where are these vouchers coming from? Why are there so many of them? The fact that they are so abundant leads me to think that it's (a) a scam or (b) Stowe is making them freely/easily available and people in the know are turning it into a money making opportunity.

Vermont ski resort bus trips from New Jersey?

exhilaration — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:09:41 -0800

Anyone know of any Vermont ski resort bus trips that leave from New Jersey? I just finished reading this entry on a Times blog about about day trips to Vermont from New York City. What I want to know is if similar trips are run out of New Jersey, preferably North Jersey.

I've seen the NJ Ski Council trips, but most are longer than a day and require memberships to ski clubs. Aren't there any ski shops that organize no-commitment day trips like the ones mentioned on that Times blog, but from Jersey?

High speed internet in the sticks?

youcancallmeal — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:21:25 -0800

How can I get DSL in Barre, Vermont? Alternately: is satellite internet really that bad? So, my boyfriend and I are moving to an apartment just south of town in Barre, VT and the lease says that Verizon services the place. The Verizon website disagrees. Is there something I'm missing? Is there another provider I should be looking for?

If we can't get DSL... I've heard bad things about satellite speeds. Is it still that bad? We mostly just use the internet for surfing, general youtube watching, some TV streaming, XBOX/Wii playing, etc. Will it choke?

Seeking a short term apartment in Central Vermont

youcancallmeal — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:15:38 -0800

Seeking an apartment in the Barre / Montpelier, Vermont area. Where to look? I'm moving to Topsham,VT with my boyfriend in the spring, but we're looking to escape our current place in NYC a bit sooner than that (Jan. 1 would be ideal) to save money on rent.

Does anyone know of any apartment rentals that would be willing to do a short lease for 4-5 months at around $600/mo? We don't need anything fancy and the only pet we have is a cat. We could even pay for the whole thing in advance.

Alternately, where (besides Craigslist) should we be looking?

Peace and Sirenity

papayaninja — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:23:31 -0800

I need a siren whistle, in Vermont, by Friday. Like this. And this.

My friends and I are using one for an avant-garde poetry band for our school's open-to-everyone concert type thing. We had a nice green one like in that picture, but I lost it. They're cheap as heck, but no brick-and-mortar store seems to have them. Online would be great, but two-day shipping is something like 20 bucks for a 60 cent toy... I don't think so.

I've tried both VT Toy and Hobbies, Toys R Us, and one, extremely sketchy, music store.

Who knows where I can get one, for cheap, in two days?

P.S. If somebody had one in stock, I'd almost be willing to spend a disgusting amount on a nice, metal, ACME siren, but again, where are they?

Nelumbo lutea in southern Vermont?

doomtop — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:14:18 -0800

Nelumbo lutea in southern Vermont? In search of Nelumbo lutea anywhere near southern Vermont. Northern MA, NH, upstate NY? Can it be found anywhere near here?

NYC-->Burlington, VT: best route, where to stop along the way?

agent99 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:04:16 -0800

Driving from NYC to Burlington, VT (actually, Waitsville) this weekend. What is the best route to get there? Also, what are some cool places to stop along the way (by cool I mean old bookstores or junk shops, flea markets, diners, farmstands, cemeteries, any obscure, odd, or curious local attractions, or things along those lines). Thanks!