How Do You Solve a Problem Like Exhaustion...

... Go on a vacation to the Van Trapp Lodge!! Oh yeah!!

Katie visited Stowe, Vermont for cross country camp during high school. But we have always wanted to visit the Van Trapp Family Lodge. When we didn't end up going to Italy, Vermont seemed like a great alternative.

The mountains don't open until next week but we've enjoyed some great sightseeing, food, yoga and winery.



For Katie's birthday dinner, we tried the Green Mountain Inn. I loved my mushroom and chevre raviolis with butternut squash sauce. Katie enjoyed her apple, Cabot cheddar chicken with an apple cider reduction.

Yesterday, after a run on the trail that Katie remembered from high school, we enjoyed a bit of breakfast at the cafe on the Van Trapp property.




As THE SNOW STARTED FALLING, we warmed up by the fire and enjoyed a cinnamon scone (they must have known I was coming;-))




We headed towards the Boyden Valley Winery via the Smugglers Notch Pass. Unfortunately we failed to realize that the road is closed in the winter. But on the upside, we got to watch some diehard skiers walking up the mountain with skis and snowboards on their backs and then skiing down. I can only imagine how the town and mountains crank during the weekend.

Also on the upside, we drove to the winery via Morrisville and found lunch that was The Bees Knees. Literally. The Bees Knees cafe served mean mac & cheese with caramelized onions and a quiche with Vermont cheddar, sun dried tomato, green beans and kale. The atmosphere was quintessentially relaxed, crunchy, friendly Vermont.

We were glad we pushed on to the winery for a tasting of everything from rhubarb wine, ice cider and ice red wine, and glogg. How cool (and hot)... not your average winery.

More adventures tomorrow!