I had a fascinating encounter with the bald eagle family of Lake Rescue this morning. They live there year-round, and have been residents for years, entrancing the human residents of this lovely lake in southern Vermon
I had a fascinating encounter with the bald eagle family of Lake Rescue this morning. They live there year-round, and have been residents for years, entrancing the human residents of this lovely lake in southern Vermont.
When I came around the bend in my kayak at 6:45 AM, the mother eagle was waiting for me in a tall tree nearby. Can you spot her?
Mother eagle, perched on a branch on the north end of Discovery Island. The nest is in a cove just beyond the south end of the small island.
I checked the nest: empty.
Then the baby popped up.
Mom immediately flew over to him.
She landed on a nearby branch and the two interacted for a long time.
We woke up on the morning of Dec. 17, 2020, to 27 inches of snow that had fallen on the Lake House back deck during the night. And the light, fluffy stuff just kept coming down!
(After this, the yardstick was buried.)
By the time the storm was over, we had almost 4 feet of snow in Ludlow, the most in New England from a huge winter storm! It certainly created a beautiful scene.
(That big lump in front of the house is our truck.)
Priority No. 1: Clearing a way to the hot tub! By the end of the day, the snow on the back deck was as high as the tub, maybe higher!
Aryk and I shoveled out to the road. It took the plow guys another day to get here.
(This is the middle of the storm. Snow is still falling.)
The mailboxes looked like Santa’s elves with tall white caps.
It looks like winter has arrived in the Okemo Valley — early, as usual!
It’s only the second day of November, and we have four inches of snow and temperatures in the high 20s.
We tried to go kayaking and the wind and snow beat us back, though we did see a couple of our duck friends swimming in the cove.
We retreated to the fireplace inside Lake Rescue Chalet to watch the flakes fall in cozy comfort. It sure is lovely, though!
I’m sure Okemo and Killington are both thrilled to be bathed in the white stuff, with cold enough temps to turn on the snowmaking machines on the mountains. I don’t think I will brave skiing during the pandemic, unless it’s cross country, alone. Both mountains have restrictions and procedures in place to keep skiers and snowboarders safe. You can read all about it on our COVID-19 skiing page.
I kayaked Lake Rescue in 29 degrees to see how it looked with its trees, some still fall-tinged, dusted with a soft early snowfall, and encountered an astonishing 25 loons swimming together back and forth in the south end.
I assume they were a migrating group that came from the Adirondack lakes and were gathering up others on their way to the Atlantic coast.
They made no sound, just swam together, occasionally craning their necks or ruffling their wings.
In the end, they took to the air, flying together in three or four glorious circles around the lake, sometimes, right over my head, before heading off to parts unknown.
Goodbye, loons. Safe travels. Thanks for the memories. See you next year!
(Addendum: Turns out they were not loons but white-winged scoters. Still stunning!)
The back deck was just the beginning. ARyk and Bob set to work on the front deck and steps next. They got a little help from kaylee the cat as they stripped, sanded and stained the deck a beautiful mahogany brown.
Prep Work: Stripping and Sanding
The boards were naked and unprotected by the time Bob and Aryk were done powerwashing, then sanding off the old stain. Kaylee the cat helped.
Kaylee helped so much
Staining
It’s a big deck and took several days, but the stain was a major transformation that woke up a tired deck.
The finished deck
The finished product. Isn’t it beautiful?
Footnote: Escaping Disaster
Bob wadded up the used rags from staining and tossed them together under the deck, by the wood pile. We were disturbed by a horrible burning smell hours later. We searched all over for the source, but then a neighbor knocked on the door frantically, crying, “Your rags are burning!” We quickly put them out, and discovered that the linseed oil in stain can cause spontaneous combustion in wadded-up rags. We learned to always lay the rags out flat to dry. We are lucky we didn’t burn the house down! Lesson learned: Always read the can for safe disposal information.
Looking for a short hike with a lot of bang for your buck? Something you can do with the kids, or with people in your party who aren’t used to long hikes? We can suggest two that are close by that will reward you with outstanding views for not too much effort. Don’t forget to pack your binoculars or a camera!
Hike to the Top of Okemo
There’s a short hike to the top of the Okemo Mountain Road that gives you an awesome vantage point with less than a mile of hiking. You can hike through dense, magical woods up a steep, rocky trail, or you can hike up a relatively easy road. At the top you have a mountain-top view from the Okemo Peak that lets you gaze down upon the Village of Ludlow, Lake Rescue, and mountains all the way to New Hampshire. You’ll see the ski lift and can climb to the top of the Fire Tower (if you’re not afraid of heights). It’s less than a mile round trip. There are some pull-offs with scenic views on the way down. Learn more.
Directions to the Trailhead:
Turn left on Route 100, then left at the end. Make a right onto Okemo Mtn Rd. Drive up to the Okemo Lodge, continuing up the private road to its left (OPEN from late spring to late fall). This road will switchback straight up the mountain for about 4-5 miles until you reach the top. You’ll be able to park at the end and either walk on the road or go up the trail to the left.
Echo Lake Vista Trail
Children as young as five can successfully navigate the hike up the Echo Lake Vista Trail. It’s steep but not brutal, and the views of Echo Lake, okemo Mountain, and the whole area from the top are breathtaking. there’s a nice rock there where you can relax and enjoy a snack. It’s only 1.5 miles round-trip.Learn more.
Directions:
The trail is located at Camp Plymouth State Park Distance. Go north on Route 100 (turn right form Benson Point), North, then turn right onto Kingdom Road at the Echo Lake Inn, follow 1 mile to Boy Scout Camp Road, and turn left to Camp Plymouth State Park. Park for free in a parking lot on the right before the road crosses the creek. The trailhead is past the cabins on the right, or you can go farther on the road and access the trail by way of a steep wooden staircase that goes through an ancient cemetery.
We recently took a hike to the top of the White Rocks Cliff Trail at White Rocks National Recreation Area, which is in the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. The trail goes straight up and the views are spectacular! White Rocks Cliffs offers beautiful vistas of the Route 7 valley, the Taconic Mountains, and even the Adirondack Mountains in the distance. The trail begins by winding around the northeastern edge of the cliff area, passing a waterfall at the junction of the Appalachian/Long Trails.
Follow along with Bob as he hikes straight up the mountain.
Learn more about White Rocks and its other hiking opportunities at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmfl/null/recarea/?recid=65137&actid=50
It may seem bizarre to intentionally get up at 6 AM when you’re on summer vacation. That’s supposed to be your time to sleep late, right? But you could be missing out on the best stuff Lake Rescue has to offer! Setting your alarm that early can reap some incredible rewards, if you want to start your day with meditative peace and serenity. The lake itself presents a striking tableau, with a contract of dark mountains, clear water and, and clouds and mist.
For birdwatchers, daybreak is a bewitching time when birds are active but most humans are not. Some of the birds I have quietly watched this summer include great blue herons, snowy egrets, a variety of ducks, a loon couple, and a bald eagle family.
This is the place where we will share our experiences and recommendations, to enhance your enjoyment of Lake Rescue Chalet, Okemo Valley, and the glorious state of Vermont!
