MySecretVermont

Vermont's Mad River Rockets

This week's podcast features an interview with Whitney Phillips, the president of Mad River Rockets.  If you can imagine taking a white water kayak down a snowy mountain side, you can imagine hitting the mountain in one of these high performance sleds.  Check out this video and listen to my latest podcast to hear Whitney tell the Mad River story.

Vermont's Lake Champlain Chocolates

Whether it's Christmas, Valentines Day, or any day you would like a treat, Lake Champlain Chocolates will do the trick.  Jim Lampman started Lake Champlain Chocolates on a dare in 1983.  At that time, Jim was the chef and owner of Burlington's Ice House restaurant.  When Jim's pastry chef suggested that he could make better chocolates than the ones Jim had been buying for gifts, Lake Champlain Chocolates was born.  Lake Champlain Chocolates has grown into three locations, two in Burlington and one in Waterbury, and a booming website where you can order their fine chocolates.  I had a chance to interview Jim a little while back.  Listen to hear Jim describe Lake Champlain Chocolates and the quality that goes into everything they do.

Vermont Christmas Trees

This week I visited my favorite Christmas Tree Farm, Balsam Acres in Worcester.  My family gets its Christmas tree from Tom Lang's farm each year.  In fact, this year we tagged our tree in October to make sure it would be ready for us this weekend.  Listen to my podcast and hear how Tom started his farm and takes care of his trees.  You will also learn how to take care of your own real Vermont Christmas tree. 

Have a Cup of Vermont Coffee

This week I had the chance to visit with Patty Meade of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters at the visitor's center they have created in Waterbury's renovated 19th century train station.  If you like coffee, you will love visiting this center.  Once you have learned the story of Green Mountain Coffee Roaster's farmers and Vermont roasting facitlity, you can stay a while in their cafe to enjoy some coffee, buy some beans to take home, and browse their coffee inspired gifts. 

Winter Comes to Vermont

The weather has changed and Winter has certainly come to Vermont.  While just last week we had weather in the 60's, we now have had weather in the teens and twenties for about a week.  Vermonters awoke to snow this Saturday morning - from a dusting in some places to almost a foot of snow in other places.  This means ski season has begun with many mountains opening this weekend.  Now is the time to book your winter ski vacation!

All Kinds of Hunting in Vermont

It's been a while between podcasts but we are between seasons in Vermont.  This week I talk about deer hunting and bargain hunting in my podcast.  Learn where you can find great socks, a ski parka, and some fine pewter at a bargain.   (photo credit: Chris Ilstrup)

Welcome 2 Cents Readers!

Hi folks,

Thanks for checking out my site.  Here is the funky pizza place that David was talking about - American Flatbread in Burlington.  This site - My Secret Vermont is a place where you can learn about my home state of Vermont.  Take a listen to my podcast or click around my site to learn about this great state.  Send me an e-mail if you would like your own questions answered!  Your question might be part of my next podcast!  mysecretvermont@gmail.com

This is a Vermont Interstate?

Yes, this is a photo taken from Vermont Interstate 89.  Today's podcast takes you on a trip along Vermont's I-89 starting in Hartford and traveling up to Lake Champlain.  Of course you would want to drive along a country road while visiting Vermont, but the towns and vistas along our Interstates are fantastic.  Listen to today's podcast by clicking on the link to your left or subscribe to my podcast in iTunes.  (Photo credit:  Paul Moody on Flickr)

A Classic Scenic Drive for Foliage Season

The foliage is beginning to really pop!  I have a new scenic drive for you to check out.  I take you from Waterbury, to Stowe, and down to Richmond.  You can visit a cider mill, drive up a mountain, and visit the home of Snowflake Bentley.  Check out the page for my link.  Take my drive with you by downloading my podcast from the player on this page or on iTunes.

Hubbard Park in Montpelier, Vermont

In today's podcast I share one of my secret spots in Montpelier, Vermont - Hubbard Park.  This 185 acre park has miles of trails and places to have a picnic or cook out.  Just minutes from the streets of the capital city, Hubbard Park is a great place to enjoy some of Vermont's natural beauty.  A highlight of visiting Hubbard Park is climbing its tower and enjoying the mountain views.  Find out more about Hubbard Park by clicking the podcast link! (Photo credit to Chris Mear on Flickr)

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