Notes from Maidstone: Events from the Weekend of July 21-22

Notes from Maidstone: Events from the Weekend July 21-22

Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger, Maidstone State Park

This past weekend, in addition to our regularly scheduled Friday Night Open Mic Campfire Night, Yoga, and Saturday movie night, we also hosted out own version of the 1980's hit Nickelodeon television show Double Dare and also a loon/rock art program. Our Double Dare event was intended for all ages and involved both trivia and challenges. Each team was asked a trivia question (relating to VT and nature) ans should they be correct, they were safe, those who were wrong had to carry out a physical challenge. The physical challenges included things like, tossing and catching water balloons in a colander that the teammate held over theri head and tossing wet sponges from one teammate to the other in order to fill a bucket to a certain line. Everyone involved recieved prizes, but the winner recieved a free pizza donated by Bruno's Wood-fired pizza on the west end of Maidstone Lake. 


The loon/rock art event was also a weekend hit. Those who have made their way to Maidstone know about the rock loons that line the road that lead to Maidstone State Park. If you don’t know, a local hobbyist makes these and more in his spare time. He was kind enough to donate pre-made, unpainted loons for a lucky few to paint and take home. This event was supplemented by an educational piece relating to loons and loon preservation efforts.

Although the end of the season is just around the corner, we are working diligently to bring about more quality programming that both entertains and educates park guests.  So come out and join us soon. 

Lake Champlain Festival of the Islands!

Vermont's Third Annual Festival of the Islands- July 27-29

Free admission at Knight Point State Park: Friday, Saturday and Sunday! 

The five towns of Grand Isle County  present the best of the Islands. Adults will enjoy concerts, flea markets, retail events, art exhibits, wine tastings, farm stands, yard sales, even a pig-roast - all in the beautiful Champlain Islands.  The children will love petting paddocks, seeing alpacas and peacocks,eating maple creamies, picnics at beautiful Knight Point StatePark (free admission during the Festival), or just the beauty of farms & lakes on a wonderful summer day. Come, visit, relax, and enjoy.

Alburgh

The Right Place, take your chance in our lottery for 10-30% off your purchase 

The Tie Dye Shop, great recycled & re-dyed clothing

Champlain Islands Nursery, discount coupons available at display at The Right Place

Alburgh Beverage Mart, Noon - 2PM,  free drink up to 20 oz., with purchase of sub, or lunch special

Isle La Motte 

DAILY: South End Café,  free beverage (up to $1.30) with any purchase Fri & Sat 7:30-2:30, Sun 8:30 – 2:30: Ruthcliffe Lodge and Restaurant, free non-alcoholic beverage with lunch entrée 12-2PM;  

North Hero

Knight Point State Park, Free Admission for the Festival Weekend

Another Time Around, Re-sale shop, 11AM-4PM, behind Hero’s Welcome 

Hero’s Welcome, sandwiches, ice cream and so much more

Harborside Market- Best deli in the Islands- plus anything else you need 

Papa Pete’s, Festival specials and the most delicious sweet potato fries in the Islands!

Dcreationz, Beaded jewelry and beading demonstrations

Grand Isle

Vallee’s Den of Antiquity and Lost Art Gallery, "Flea Market of past treasures from Antiquity" & Art Sale

Fish Hatchery, Self-guided tour of facility, movie and fish feeding

Hyde Log Cabin & Block Schoolhouse, Flea Market, Vermont’s oldest log home, open 11AM - 5 PM, Adults $3 Children up to 14 yrs. free

South Hero

Blue Paddle Bistro, Festival dinner specials nightly

Allenholm Farm, 9-5 Petting Paddock, Maple Creamies

Apple Farm Market, Flea Market on the Green, 10 AM- 6 PM

Keeler Bay Variety,  Free bottle of ice cold water while supply lasts

For a full schedule and map CLICK HERE

Walking Stick Adventures at Quechee State Park

Walking Stick Adventure at Quechee State Park

by Lisa Fisher

The morning is quiet along route 4 as a small group of people gather in front of the Quechee Gorge Visitor Center. They are all wearing walking shoes of some sort and carry a waterbottle. Some even carry walking sticks, "what are they doing out here at 6:30 on a Thursday morning?" You ask. They are here is begin a walking stick adventure. As they gather they are greeted by the Park Ranger who explains the purpose of this adventure.

“Welcome to our walking stick adventure. Today we will be rambling to the bottom of the Gorge and back This is a journey of discovery, we are on an adventure to connect or re-connect with nature. To see, hear, feel, and breathe the forest. This is known in Japan as Shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing”. The purpose of this journey is to breathe in the natural oils that the forest releases and de-stress and boost our immune systems. This ramble is a chance for us to re-connect with a less stressful and healthier self and will last approximately 60-90 minutes. If you have any questions please feel free to ask, or if at any point you need or want to stop, or turn back, just let me know. If everyone is ready… let us begin to walk… and to … breathe.”

So the journey starts down the stairs and below route 4, the sounds of traffic are muffled. As we reach the bottom of the trail and turn on to the main trail we can hear the traffic as it crosses the bridge; ”thump, thump; thump, thump.” As we progress further into the Gorge gradually the sounds of traffic melt away and the sounds of the forest take over. We can hear the birds calling in the trees and a chickadee flits by. A squirrel chatters his displeasure over something, perhaps that we are disturbing his peace. Below and to the right you can hear the river as it winds it way through the Gorge, tumbling over rocks and small falls as it rushes to the bottom. The air is heavy with humidity and the scent of the pines and as you breathe deeply you can almost taste it. Just a slow walk, breathing deeply, stopping to touch a tree and feel it’s texture, and perhaps even the energy that surrounds it. Perhaps another stop to watch a couple of chipmunks chasing each other around a large oak, Someone, laughs at their antics and they run away to hide. Scolding us as they go. Now we have reached the bottom, how peaceful to just stop here for a moment and watch the river lazily flowing over the massive rock formations that have been carved out of the century, to maybe walk out on the rocks, and stick your fingers or toes in the water. To see new life spring up in the wake of last years flood.

Now the walk back begins, back to civilization and our everyday hustle and bustle. As we climb out of the Gorge, we notice things we may not have seen on our way down, a pretty rock, a fallen leaf, the smell of the river. Slowly we work out way back to the top, stopping occasionally to rest and just breathe. Gradually the sounds of traffic intrude into our peaceful interlude. “Thump, thump; thump, thump” go the tires of the vehicles on the bridge. Some will leave the group here to go up to the bridge and look down into the Gorge the rest of us will continue back up the path, back to the Visitor’s center, back to the beginning. Our adventure is done, for now. There will be another next month and a full moon hike as well. This is simply a beginning. Now it is up to us to continue, or not, as we choose. Perhaps… we will all meet again at the next one. Until then… Breathe!

Off the Beaten Path: Programming Returns to Maidstone

Off the Beaten Path: Programming Returns to Maidstone

Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger, Maidstone State Park

What to do? What to do? Our family has driven so many hours to get to Maidstone and we have already exhausted all of the park’s recreational options. The closest town is at least a half hour away; and the kids are bored and crying that they want to go home. We want to stay to enjoy the peace and serenity the park has to offer, but we also know that that kids need to be entertained.

Does this sound familiar?

Well worry no more. We here at Maidstone, realize that in today’s society, kids and adults alike have become too reliant on TV, computers and video games for entertainment and that when you are out camping, even though you want to relax, you also want to be entertained and engage in activities. That said, we have been diligently working to develop and deliver both educational and entertaining programs for the entire family.

In addition to our weekly, Saturday Night movie and weekend wake-up yoga, we will be also be offering a Friday open-mike campfire story night (bring your own smores). Additionally, on Saturday and/or Sunday we will also be offering new programs that are currently in the development phase. Programs that have already been offered include:

• Camping 101: The Do’s and Don’ts
• A Jewelry Workshop
• A Scavenger Hunt

A few that we have been considering for successive weekends include: 

• Using Nature to Find Your Way in the Woods
• A Canoe Race
• Using Nature to Build or Design Birdhouses
• A field-day (Three-legged races, sack races, etc)
• A sand castle contest
• Guided hikes
• A Blues Concert

Those are just some to name a few. In any case, when you are trying to determine which VT State Campground to visit in the future, know that we understand that we are in the middle of nowhere, and that you want to be able to entertain your kids as well as enjoy the peace and serenity that this park has to offer. This is why we are striving to bring more to your Maidstone Experience.

Automobiles at the Islands Center at Knight Point State Park: Saturday, July 7th

 

A New Car Show Comes to the Champlain Islands!

Vermont Auto Enthusiasts, the organization that presents the Stowe Car Show each year, will hold the first annual Automobiles at the Islands Center at Knight Point State Park in North Hero on Saturday, July 7^th.  All vehicles are welcome, including historic autos, trucks, motorcycles and more.  Featured events this year are spectator judging, games, cars, food, and vendors with everything from food and crafts to “those things you have stored in your garage for old cars”. 

The automobiles will be on display from 9:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Spectator judging ends at 2, after which prizes will be awarded.  Car games will be in the Show Field.  Watch classic cars compete in balloon breaking, slow racing, and blind driver!  Food and beverages will be for sale.  The VFW is cooking up burgers, hot dogs and ribs, along with fine food prepared by the Champlain Islands Farmers Market.  Hall Home Place will offer tastings of their Ice Cider.  More vendors are welcome.  Vendor space for car-related items is also available.  Vendor space is $10, $15 after July 1.  Bring your own tables and tents.  To register as a vendor, call the Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce, 372-8400 or pick up a form at their North Hero office.

 To register a car for the show, send $7 with the following information:  name, address, phone number and email, as well as the make, model, body style, year and number of cylinders to:  VAE, 4 Wing Street, Burlington, VT 05408-1317.  Vehicle must be covered by insurance and must have a fire extinguisher.  Pre-registration by July 1, 2012 is recommended. 

 Automobiles at the Islands Center is a project of the Islands Center for Arts and Recreation, Vermont State Parks and Vermont Auto Enthusiasts.  The entrance fee is $6 per car, and includes park admission.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see automobile “survivors” of years past!  Call 372-8400 for more information.