Wells, Vermont • 802.325.2829 |
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357 Five Star Reviews • 100% Guest-Focused • 71% Repeat Guests This Year
Don't Just Read the Story, Become the Story!
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Hello Everyone!
After last year’s magnificent fall foliage, this year, by comparison, has been rather muted. That said, our guests continue “doing it all.” Of course, everything our readers know and love about Vermont is that it’s still here… pristine forests, crisp clean autumn air, world-famous micro-breweries, if that’s your thing, while we create memories that will last a lifetime… we find life-changing experiences that impress even our most adventurous globe-trotting guest.
All our best – Kay & Glenn
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Distant views of Lake Champlain, with over 300 acres of fruit trees, they grow 146 varieties of apples, which is why Champlain Orchards is our favorite orchard. Together with our guests, we visit the orchard more than a dozen times each season! This week, there are almost 40 apple varieties available to pick, and some Red & Gold Raspberries. |
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Georgia O’Keeffe, one of the most significant artists of the 20th century, was not only inspired by her Lake George surroundings, but spent the better part of sixteen years (1918-1934) reveling in one of the longest foliage seasons in the country. Adirondack views from the water of rolling hills and mountains with an explosion of color offer an almost cathartic distraction from our daily lives. Let us show you how we create the perfect day… on the lake.
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Lake Willoughby is a National Natural Landmark, and arguably the most photographed lake in Vermont. A five-mile glacial cut between two fjord-like mountains in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is nothing short of spectacular! Every year we fail to visit this breathtaking natural wonder. We are hopeful this year will be different…
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Blake Hill Preserves at PMI
Windsor, Vermont
We now serve Blake Hill Preserves—absolutely extraordinary! 2023 Good Food Award Winners, Blake Hill Preserves is an English fruit preservatory in Vermont creating innovative jams, marmalades and condiments for the modern pantry. Combining three generations of preserve-making skills with innovative, super elegant flavors and the finest ingredients. Their adorable shop is a must visit, and make sure to ask for Sydney, she’s the omniscient narrator of everything Blake Hill! Include your visit with our Upper Connecticut River Valley Day Trip Itinerary.
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Quechee Gorge
Known as Vermont’s little Grand Canyon. The Quechee Gorge is one of New England’s natural wonders that was formed by glacial activity approximately 13,000 years ago. The land on which the park is located was originally owned by the A. G. Dewey Company, a major wool processor in the 19th century, and employed as many as 500 people. Water from the falls and the mill pond just above the gorge was used to power the facility.
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Martin Covered Bridge
Marshfield, Vermont
The Martin Bridge is named for a pioneering Marshfield settler who farmed this land. Built about 1890, it is the only surviving historic covered bridge in the town. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Experiencing Vermont’s most notable treasure is to experience the indescribable feeling of the presence of those who traveled long before us across these hand-hewn timber structures.
Photograph by Francois de Melogue.
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Our Hacker-Craft Factory Visit... |
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Another Spectacular Experience…
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Never heard of Hacker-Craft—don’t worry, we hadn’t either! Our first introduction was when we were island-barbecuing on Lake George when these two magnificent wooden boats passed gently through the narrows with an unmistakable deep, throaty rumble that one would immediately associate with Lamborghini or Ferrari—but, even better!
Hacker-Craft has been locally building the greatest mahogany boats since 1908. We visited the factory a few weeks back and watched craftsmen working on new boats, and multi-year restorations. Our favorite, was a completely restored 2011, 22-foot Runabout—asking price, $215,000. The most interesting was a restoration-in-progress—a 29-foot 1928/29 Racing Runabout waiting for a Ferrari V12 engine taken from a wreck. Ferrari doesn’t sell its engines. And, there’s a 27’ electric boat alternative starting at $700,000! See our Blog for incredible factory photos.
Kay joins me in thanking Hacker-Craft, and Collin Hunter for some spectacular insights into luxury boatbuilding—for more information contact Collin directly at 518-543-6666.
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Along The Shores of Lake Champlain—Just Outside Shelburne |
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Fall may be the best time of the year at Pond Mountain Inn. Warm days, crisp nights, colorful foliage—all giftwrapped in a perfect package…. watching the leaves transition from bright reds into yellows and oranges – nature’s palette unfolds before your very eyes. “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. Walking the pumpkin patches and rambling through apple orchards while inhaling that crisp clean Vermont mountain air is why we all wait for autumn. |
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Savoring the Waning Days of Summer... at Dancing Ewe Farm |
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The Daughters & Armann...
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This may very well be the best family photo we’ve ever taken… Eighteen of us spent the evening dining on the farm—great food, great wine, great family, great friends. And, the photo says it all… |
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Our Chanterelle Mushrooms
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We found a treasure trove of Chanterelles on our property. Chanterelles are as rare as a Bigfoot sighting—chanterelles run for about $224 per pound. Just to compare, we spend upwards of $20.00 for local mushrooms from “our mushroom guy.” Our guests, who identified these mushrooms, had Sautéed Chanterelle Mushroom Omelettes the next morning! |
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Good sausage is all about balance. Balance of salt and savory, balance of meat and fat, balance of spices and herbs—and red wine! We shared over 20 lbs. of sausage with our guests this year—and it was delicious! Whether visiting for wellness, adventure or a culinary-focused retreat, we offer a full immersion into the Vermont experience… |
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Upcoming Events & Insightful Features |
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Smuggler's Notch... Vermont
This is another Francois de Melogue photograph, and his words… Smuggler's Notch. One of my favorite roads in all of America is highway 108 where it winds through Smuggler's Notch just north of Stowe. Driving down its twisty rock-strewn road always leaves me in awe of its beauty. It also shaves off a lot of time when I drive from my house to Stowe. For locals, it also becomes something of a comedic guessing game for when the first semi-truck boldly drives past all warning signs posted everywhere and gets stuck in the notch—earning a $2,000 dollar ticket from the State Police.
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Another Stumble Upon Moment...
…on our way home from Saratoga, we spotted a colorful hot air balloon in the process of being inflated—a first for us! There are fewer things as exciting as witnessing a massive balloon 10-12 stories tall preparing to ascend into a still evening sky. The ideal launch location should be a quarter acre or more, and free from any immediate obstructions. The pilot must consider a number of variables before taking off... read the complete blog and see the five stages of take-off by clicking the link below...
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Whoopie Pie Cake...
Never cared much for Whoopie Pie—I just didn’t think it was that good. When Kay announced that she was making “the cake” for a croquet potluck gathering, I was less than enthusiastic. It wasn’t until the end of the evening when I finally had a very small slice… It was absolutely unbelievable, and took the rest home, and savored it for the next three days! This easy-to-make saucer-shaped chocolate cake sandwiched around a marshmallow cream filling recipe has been sent to so many people that we now share it on our website…
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We Liken Our Instagram & Facebook Photographs to sampling the finest champagnes and caviars in the most decadent Champagne Lounge… How's that for an exaggeration?!?! Please click on either link just above.
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Check Availability
802.325.2829
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Pond Mountain Inn Bed and Breakfast
1955 Saw Mill Hill Road, Wells, Vermont 05774
802.325.2829
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