Frost Advisory

 It turned chilly up in Northern Vermont during our brief visit. Waking up in Greensboro, it was in the 30s and time to checkout. The sun came out and it warmed up enough to go for a drive to Lake Willoughby. 

It may have warmed up to the mid '60s, and although there were no clouds in the sky, an odd haze existed. Turns out it was from the wildfires out West and they have drifted all the way over here.

You can see how there was still a glare in the picture I took below.

We took a drive down the east side of Lake Willoughby, with its amazing cliffs. 

Robert Frost wrote about this area when he stayed here, and the Willoughvale Inn has a year round cabin called The Frost Cabin. 

Guess that is where I am going next.

Wallace At Rest (Part Two)

Sign entering Barr Hill Snowshoe Trail. Right behind the Wallace Cabin. 

It started raining as soon as we checked into the cabin, and eventually got settled in. A General Store down the street had everything we needed, plus after stopping for gas in Danville, extra provisions were purchased in advance.

The next morning was brisk and cloudy, but perfect weather for a hike. Trails to Barr Hill were right behind the Cottage, so that was easy enough to follow.

Wallace wrote about life in Greensboro in a few of his books. "Crossing To Safety" and "Second Growth". I thought he might have been writing about Silver Lake in Barton in the latter novel, but indeed, it was all centered around Caspian Lake in Greenville. 

We continued our climb, not sure of what we would see. We encountered a few clearings and a giant open field. Finally, some mountain views emerged.

After Stegner's passing, his ashes were scattered at the top of Barr Hill overlooking Caspian Lake.

All of the adventures in Vermont have brought me to this moment, and much like my adventure to Saskatchewan had so much symbolism - it was where he started to evolve as a young boy, facing hardships and tragedy. But his soul rests here in Vermont. 

His works have since reached many new generations of enthusiasts, conservationists, poets, journalists, biographers... and a few musicians. "Big Rock Candy Mountain" was made popular in song long ago, but thru the movies, it came alive again in 2000. I was drawn into his life reading the book that referenced that song, and the pipe dream of a magic land out west.  

What is left for us out here in the east is a beautiful, green nature preserve for all to climb and discover. 

Wallace At Rest (Part One)

  The "Wallace Cabin" at Highland Lodge, Greensboro, Vermont.

Several years ago, I discovered Greensboro, Vermont. I had already traveled to Saskatchewan, to stay in the childhood home of the author I so admired, and after finding out he spent half of his life up in Vermont made the story more interesting to add to.

I had stayed in one of the small white cabins pictured above (far left, hidden by trees) and thought it was nice and rustic. Great views and a fireplace. I attended the first Greensboro Writers Conference at the Lakeview Inn (and the following two after that) but then they stopped happening, and I still wanted to keep coming back. Two years went by, and I was doing a little more research on Stegner's Vermont roots. One of his books, called "Second Growth" was loosely based on events that took place in this sleepy summer resort town, tucked into the green hills of Caledonia County.

Set back behind the small white cabins, was a larger, year-round three bedroom cottage called the "Wallace Cabin". Three bedrooms is a lot when you only need one. And yet, the prices were nearly identical. The Wallace is set back further from the other cottages, but you see over them and the lake was in plain view. Solitude with a private driveway, no neighbors... and this framed picture on the wall, with a small description and story below it. 

  

The cries of Northern Loons were clearly heard at night as the rain continued to fall. I was going to suggest a canoe trip in the morning, but it looked like it would be too cold to do that on the second day of this wonderful adventure.

Over the Bridge of Names

   I found this place purely by chance over 10 years ago, and always wanted to return.

         

Crossing to Safety (2020)

Several years ago, I discovered the Highland Lodge overlooking Caspian Lake in Greensboro, Vermont. Significant, because Wallace Stegner spent most of his adult summer life at the exact same spot. I was then determined to stay there as well, and rented out one of the small summer cottages as part of a self imposed artist retreat.

 The following year, I stayed in White River Junction and Westmore/Orleans, and the year after I was in Hardwick. After that, the writers conference that took place stopped happening, and I had nobody to talk with about the adventures I had taken to Saskatchewan to stay in the childhood home where Wallace had been inspired to write "The Big Rock Candy Mountains" back in the 1940s. 

I took the following year off, and chose to go to New Hampshire, to revisit some of my own childhood memories at Lake Winnipesaukee, but longed to return. Last summer, things were too hectic, and I was only able to make it to Windsor, VT (but visited The Path of Life) while still longing to return to the Lake where Stegner would relax overlooking.

This time around, I was able to reserve a night at one of the larger year round houses, called the "Wallace Cabin". While it isn't the actual place where he lived and wrote "Crossing to Safety" it is within the radius of that energy, and so I jumped at the chance to continue the story! 

Stay Tuned!

 

Lucky Stars

Outside of the Academy of Music with Kaci & Amy

Northampton, and the Valley in general, is filled with many very talented and creative people. (I've been singing with one of them for the past three yearly shows at Transperformance.) 

Adam & The Ants (2018)

Johnny & Edgar Winter - Woodstock (2019)

For 2020: The theme was "Live Aid 1985" and I was chosen to play Judas Priest with our duo Bigger Stars.

 

        

         

Thank my Lucky Stars! I was able to perform with three fun and gifted singers in three different groups. Transperformance is a wonderful concept, that has done great work for the past three decades raising money for the arts in local schools. Is it any wonder the town is home to so many fine talents?

This year, the show had to be forced to record in a super safe manner (Meaning: No Crowds)

but things came out nicely in the end. 

Two of the groups chose to pre-record their sets, but I ended up being the first act to go on live. 

It was just as nerve wracking as playing in front of a thousand people with no safety net. 

But it was every bit as fun. 

  

I hope next year we can get back to playing in front of crowds again, and I can start making a living as a musician like before. In the meantime, I have great memories to look back upon.

Further On Up The Road

Long ago, I had settled into The Valley with hopes of putting some roots down, and I mostly succeeded. I found a tribe of musicians and artists I admired, and wanted to be a part of the scene that was still vibrant in town. Rather than continue renting, I was looking at houses to buy, but nothing fit the price range. A small cottage in need of repair showed up, and I reluctantly bought it, with the realization that I had a lot of work cut out for me.

Over the next 15 years, I had one roof replaced, then I replaced two other sections on my own.

(I knew nothing about home repairs!)

Winter storms were often brutal, as I would have to climb up on the roof and rake snow from the upper levels of the house, then shovel them away from the driveway. I was starting to tire of the seasonal grind, and wondered how much longer I could last with the upkeep. 

The last three winters, I had the place on the market with no takers and I was getting despondent over the situation. Finally, a buyer came forward and was enamored with the place. However, COVID 19 shut down everything, and I could not close the sale. No longer living there any more, I only stopped by to make sure the pipes didn't freeze again. 

In the summer the process started up again, and by July, I suddenly became aware that I was actually going to be moving on. 17 years. Some good, Some terrible. Over the last several years, I lost my mom, the family home, my marriage and my dad. The last thing to go before completely starting over, was just a piece of property I no longer wanted part of.

It took a few years of living alone to rediscover my true spirit, and what it was I wanted in life out of myself. Everything I remember about the place was gone, and it no longer seemed like home. One last time, I drove away and did not look back.

Where I live now is Further on up the Road.

Seeing The Same Things Differently

One of my favorite spots in Western Massachusetts is at the north end of the Quabbin Reservoir. 

I explored all of the Quabbin area when I first moved out here, and found that the spot I enjoyed the most was a fairly remote spot at the north end that afforded an amazing water frontage view at the end of a 1/4 mile paved path. Not a soul to be found most every time I have been here. It's about as natural as it gets, and I can enjoy the peace, quiet and solitude nearly every time I go.

Back To Bennington

One of my favorite places to be. Something about the hills, the colors and the air. The fact that we share our Northern border and a mere 15 minutes gets me to the Green Mountain State, where my mother's family once lived (East Barre/Groton), where I played countless shows, and where I have been tracing Wallace Stegner's later Summers living in Greensboro.

I continue to feel a connection to Vermont, and it is easy to get to Brattleboro, White River Junction or even Bennington. I played a show decades ago at Bennington College, and have returned only a handful of times since then. It's always new to me. So this time I decided to do something new there. My life is so very different now, so it makes sense to think that way. Hopped into the car and took the kids to see an Alpaca Farm in Shaftsbury, VT.

I don't know why I chose Alpacas. Maybe because I know kids tend to like them? Maybe I secretly like them? I'm not sure, but it was a cute and enjoyable experience. Being around animals is a disarming experience, and Alpacas are pretty laid back for the most part.

Sandy Gordon runs a sprawling farm about 10 minutes Northwest of Bennington, near the actual battlefield, where the Green Mountain Boys kicked some serious tail. Over thirty Alpacas roam the property, and she clearly loves them. She spent a lot of time showing them to us, and named them after various musicians, in particular Texas Blues guitar players.

Afterwards, we drove to nearby Arlington. Got chocolate and ice cream, and then to a food stand a little up the road for some burgers and dogs. It was one of those classic summer experiences in New England. All over the course of only 6 hours.

Clouds in my IPA

Summertime has arrived. Temperatures have gone up, but we haven't had much rain. A month or so ago, a helicopter flew over the roof, and though it was startling, I thought no more of it. Turns out a small forest fire was a mile or so away, and had consumed several acres! The helicopter was dousing the fire with water carried in what is called a "Bambi Bucket". The helicopter would make several more trips after I left, my girlfriend would later tell me.

We haven't had much rain since then. Sitting on the back deck with a beer, I watch the clouds develop and drift from the West, and wonder if the storm will just glance us as it travels Northeast, or just smack right into us. This time it was the former. It was pretty to watch and listen to. I could see the rain descending in the distance, and a few drops landed on me. but that was it.

No worries. We've had two straight days of solid downpours, this week, and more is on the way!