Chronicle on WCVB TV Boston - Explores St. Johnsbury and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom

If the old adage of "a picture is worth a thousand words" is true...streaming video on Vermont's majestic Northeast Kingdom must be worth a trillion. WCVB TV Channel 5's Chronicle out of Boston aired a wonderful thirty-minute special last night on why you should escape the rat race and rejuvenate in Northern Vermont. Having grown up in southern New England, I know firsthand why people vacation in what is now...my backyard.

Driving up I-93, the first sense of relief will occur when you come through Franconia Notch State Park and get a glimpse of New Hampshire's "North Country" and Vermont's "Northeast Kingdom". Less than 3 hours north of Boston, Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is far enough away from southern New England to make it feel "special". Truth is...it is special. It is clean, it is safe, it is unassuming, it is unique and it is very much like going back in time. The best part...Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is close enough to visit multiple times in a month (just ask my snowmobiling and skiing enthusiasts). When I-93 ends...you're officially "there". I mean "here"...I mean in St. Johnsbury. For those that are directionally challenged...let me just reiterate the directions from Boston...I-93 North til' it ends...ok, that's it.

Vacationers coming north on I-91 experience the same stunning views but approach them in a slower and less dramatic fashion. Foothills in western Massachusetts, roll into southern Vermont and continue to the White River Junction region. North of White River the 60 minute drive offers some of the most breathtaking views in all of New England. Be sure to take a few minutes at the rest areas to "stop" and "start" the rejuvenating process. A well-placed picnic table, breathtaking views and a cup of freshly brewed java can go along way towards setting the pace for the rest of your vacation. "You're on island time" is a standard phrase in the Bahamas to remind vacationers that there is no rush or reason to hurry. The same applies in the kingdom..."You're on green mountain time"...slow down and take it all in.

If the video snippets below peak your interest and you are new to my blog, please take time to go back through my entries. The Chronicle did an amazing job but only scratched the surface of what I would recommend doing in Vermont's majestic Northeast Kingdom.

I hope to see you soon!

Chronicle WCVB TV Boston - Explores St. Johnsbury and Vermont's Northeast Kingdom

Main Streets and Back Roads, Saint Johnsbury, Vermont: Segment One
Kingdom Trails and Stephen Huneck's Dog Mountain
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/21525702/

Main Street, Railroad Street, St. Johnsbury History, Boxcar and Caboose Bookstore, Fairbanks Scales, St. Johnsbury Atheneum, Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/21525765/

St. Johnsbury Academy; Graham Highlanders
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/21525793/

Great Vermont Corn Maze
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/21525817/


COMFORT INN & SUITES - ST. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT
http://www.vermontvacationland.com/

FAIRBANKS INN - ST. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT
http://www.stjay.com/

"Doggy Dog World" or "Dog Eat Dog World"

Is it a "Doggy Dog World" or "Dog Eat Dog World"??? I think you'll find the answer is "both" when visiting Stephen Huneck's "Dog Mountain" in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Just a little background...my family and I have endured the loss of two of our dear pets in just the past twelve months. "Boo" our cat of 18+ years passed after a lengthy battle with a stomach tumor. "Holly" my young and amazing German Shepard passed very unexpectedly of bloat. She was 6+ years old. If you have a large breed dog...take time to learn about bloat (great site for information) and possible ways to prevent it. I had never heard of bloat but it is the second leading killer of dogs behind cancer.

Family friends have told us repeatedly to take time and memorialize our pets at St. Johnsbury's "Dog Mountain". Until this weekend I had only driven past the unique chapel built by Stephen Huneck. The chapel at Dog Mountain was built to memorialize the special bond that exists between families and their dogs. Over the years, visitors have made the chapel a memorial to all their beloved pets.

This past Saturday I picked my youngest son, Cass, up from work. At the last moment I had decided to take my new puppy "Crown" for the ride. Crown, is an Australian Shepard, who got his name after my favorite past-time...I mean drink. My wife, Becky, vetoed "Whiskey" saying it was an inappropriate name for my puppy. My wife runs a daycare out of our house. Becky was concerned about children going home or to friend's houses and telling them about playing with Whiskey at Becky's Playcare. Not exactly the exposure/reputation she was looking for. Crown is a beautiful puppy that has an amazing personality to match. This was Crown's first truck ride. After picking up my son, Cass suggested that we stop by Dog Mountain as it was on our way home.

Dog Mountain is both beautiful and secluded. You are encouraged to bring your companion(s) and experience the chapel, art gallery, agility course and hiking trails. The chapel along with Stephen Huneck's artwork make this a do not miss location for pet lovers.

The three of us loved the agility course. I was able to convince my son to role model for the dog. I fell over holding my side on more than one occasion as Cass completed obstacles. All the while, Crown sat there in amazement looking at his young master jump over bars...six inches high. Cass also scaled teeter totters and ramps at a vicious rate. Ultimately, Crown and I decided that for a human Cass was pretty agile. We're planning to enter him in some shows and hope to bring home some blue ribbons.

My Fairbanks Inn is pet friendly and located only minutes from Dog Mountain. Plan your pet friendly vacation today!

Fairbanks Inn

http://www.stjay.com/

802-748-5666