Summer & Fall, Together Again |
There are still plenty of summer days to enjoy as we slowly head into Autumn. If you haven't yet made it to Burke for a getaway, come on over. If you have been here this summer, come on back! There's plenty to do and it's fairly easy to socially distance and explore the outdoors in these rural parts.
CLICK HERE to see if the county you live in has low numbers of COVID-19 cases so you can visit VT without needing to quarantine. And remember that there is a mask mandate here in Vermont. CLICK HERE for VT guidelines related to COVID-19. Sure, it takes a little more effort and thoughtfulness to enjoy the area, but it's worth it. Thank you for supporting our local businesses and respecting the health of our community.
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Things to do
While the usual fall events aren't happening this year, there are new events and redesigned events to check out. Head to West Burke on Saturday the 19th for a pig roast in the park! LIbbey's Meat Market is bringing the smoker and side dishes. The Burke Chamber will be offering up free fruit smoothies and while you're there, you can learn what One Burke has been up to including updates on the West Burke Revitalization Project.
The Annual Race Back to School on Kingdom Trails event is going virtual this year. From September 15th - October 15th, runners, walkers and bikers can participate and track progress online to win prizes and raise money for local schools.
Events happening this month include:
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Deal of the Month
Fitness centers are now open and following VT Guidelines related to COVID-19, but If you are hesitant to be at the gym, you can work out from home with the pros from XIP Training Systems. XIP offers several choices for online training including 4 or 8 week Athlete at Home sessions and training specifically for Back Health. Youth training is also available and includes programs for basketball and soccer players. Rates start at just $49 for 4 weeks.
Whether you live here or across the country, you can sign up for personalized coaching which includes an app you can use to track your progress and share updates with your XIP coach. If you're not sure about virtual workouts, you can sign up for a free one week trial.
What XIP clients say:
"I loved my XIP online training sessions this fall while at school! Having the app on my phone made it very easy to access, and I really enjoyed being able to scroll back and see my progress from the past weeks. Having the videos of exercises at my fingertips helped me understand how to do each exercise even without Adrian there."
"All of the trainers at XIP truly care about your personal well-being and are very supportive and motivating while also providing athletes (we are all athletes) with a complete education on your health, fitness and performance."
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Unpack & Unwind
Motels, Rustic Lodges, Spacious Homes, and even Mansions...we've got all kinds of lodging to pick from in these parts!
If you're coming to the Kingdom, you might as well vacation like royalty in an actual mansion. The Inn at Burklyn is now open are ready to welcome you to this incredible property featuring 14 rooms, suites and even manor bedrooms. The details inside are an architect's dream and the grounds are a gardener's delight!
Burke Property Rentals offers several vacation rentals in the area that sleep from 7-14 people and feature beautiful, modern kitchens. These spacious rentals offer lots of amenities including wifi, gear storage, bike wash stations, laundry facilities and a great location near the mountain, the trails and the village.
Lyndon Motor Lodge offers a great location just a few miles from Burke and just 2 miles to NVU-Lyndon. The family owned Motel offers 9 cozy rooms including some that are dog friendly. The rates can't be beat at only $70-$90 per night!
Designed by bikers for bikers, Kingdom Farm Lodge is the perfect choice for riders on a budget. Eight rooms with shared bathroom space are available in this renovated cattle barn and each room has a theme including the Milkhouse room. The large common area is perfect for swapping tales from the trails with fellow bikers. The property also offers bike wash and repair stations along with direct trail access.
Enjoy 13 acres to call your own at Play Hard Mountain Sports located just next door to Burke in the small town of Kirby. This beautiful timber frame home features 3 bedrooms, loft sleeping space and additional sleeping space in the finished basement. The spacious kitchen features top of the line appliances and the barn out back has plenty of room for your bikes and other gear.
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Foliage Season is Coming
Soon the Autumn colors will be popping up across the region and there are lots of ways to check 'em out. While there may not be many fall craft fairs happening, you can still find work by local artisans in local shops. You may know the NEK Country Store for great pizza and sandwiches, but be sure to head upstairs to check out a range of crafts and local gifts. From nature photography to hand-knit creations to specialty foods, you'll find all sorts of hand-made items.
Of course, foliage season is exploring season and there are all kinds of ways to do that from the ground or above. Burke Mountain offers fantastic views via the lifts at the Burke Bike Park or you can take a drive along the Scenic Toll Road.
Kingdom Trails has some new trails to check out plus some old favorites that have reopened. If you've never been mountain biking before or don't know the trails, there are two businesses in the area that offer tours. Kingdom Cycling & Experiences offers instructional tours for all levels of rider that take you along some of the most popular trails on the KT network or if you prefer, you can book a tour on a gravel route. Vermont MTB Tours & Green Mountain Pro Tune offers custom tour packages that include riding, lodging and dining. Individualized coaching is also available from co-owner Alex McAndrew who coaches the IdeRide Race Team.
An amazing way to see the colors is via one of the local lakes or ponds. Reserve a kayak, canoe or SUP from Village Sport Shop and then head to your favorite waterway to enjoy a scenic journey. Favorite local spots include Lake Willoughby, Island Pond and Newark Pond.
For dinner with a view, end the day at Juniper's on Darling Hill Road. Outdoor dining is the way to go and this is a view that can't be beat. The food is equally awesome with something for everyone on the menu including burgers, seafood, gluten free and vegetarian options.
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