Capturing the Moment

  Aerial shot of Smugglers Notch from my DJI mini 4K drone. Beavers have created a wetlands area in the foreground. All of the trees that look bare are popping out tiny new leaves for spring. These will turn yellow, red, and orange during the peak Autumn foliage season later this year. Spring is here in Vermont. I am waking up to bird noises in the mornings, and the trees are sprouting new leaves. There is still a touch of snow near the tops of the Green Mountains, and a patchwork still left on the slopes of Stowe Mountain Ski Resort. Otherwise, the hikes are opening up, and the forests are waking up. This is a quiet time here in Stowe, Vermont. The rush of the ski season is past, kids are back in school after spring break, and now folks are waiting for summer break to start really traveling again. Hotels and restaurants are taking the reprieve to close up and renovate, and the road workers have the same idea. Today I wanted to head up into the mountains above Stowe, where the famo...

  Its such a nice day for a hike! After several snowboarding runs on the mountain (they finally opened up the high speed gondola today!), I headed out into the woods, along Vermont's famous Long Trail, to try and get some good winter landscapes. Today was a beautiful day here in Stowe, Vermont. The temperatures hovered just above freezing, and the recent rains didn't wash away the snow in the forest. After a few runs on the high speed gondola at Stowe Mountain Resort, I headed off deeper into Smuggler's Notch to do a bit of hiking off the beaten path. Right at the entrance to the Notch, which is closed to all vehicle traffic for the winter, is a boardwalk trail that is part of the bigger Long Trail. I still had my snowboard boots on so I was prepared for some deep snow hiking. It was a good thing because I did find some pretty deep snow. It seems that not a lot of people have ventured here since winter has set in. But this is one place that I know is beautiful in just about...

  I took this photo from about 300ft above me with my dji mini 4k drone. The colors leading into Smugglers Notch show why this is one of the most famous drives for 'leaf peepers' here in America. Leaf peeping season is on here in Vermont. Early October brings some amazing natural views to our state, especially up in the mountains where I live. Here in Stowe, tourists from all over flock here to catch a glimpse of the forest turning bright yellow, fire red, and all shades of orange. It only last for a short while and we never know if it will be a good year, but for now, the wait is over. I wanted to get some unique shots of the changing of the leaves, so I decided to head up to Smuggler's Notch. There are some amazing hikes and views, and that should be where the colors start to change first. I was in luck! I stopped right at the beginning of the notch at a picnic area to send up my drone for a look above the canopy. The colors were magnificent. I had always wanted to hike u...

View into Smuggler's Notch at the top of Vermont      September 22 means the first day of Fall, and that is a big deal here in Stowe, Vermont. This part of the Northeast of the United States, is quite famous for its beautiful fall foliage. To celebrate the turning of seasons I hit the mountains with the whole family. First we grabbed our Epic ski passes for an early season trip up the Gondola at Stowe Mountain Resort. This took us very close to the highest peak of Vermont, called Mount Mansfield. We had a great view from the top. The kids really wanted to do some rock climbing and some mountain goating, which is what they call hiking on the boulder strewn trail heading up towards the peak. It is pretty impressive to see how there hiking skills and coordination have really improved.     After waving at every gondola on our way down, we had one more stop to check out. At the entrance to Smuggler's Notch, there is a beautiful boardwalk trail which heads into a beav...

  Smugglers' Notch in Vermont is a stunning mountain pass located in the Green Mountains near the town of Stowe. Known for its narrow, winding road and dramatic cliffs, the notch has a storied history dating back to the early 19th century when it served as a route for smugglers transporting goods between Canada and the United States. Today, it is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering breathtaking scenery, rock climbing opportunities, and a sense of adventure that harks back to its legendary past. The notch's unique landscape, with its dense forests and sheer rock faces, makes it one of Vermont's most iconic and picturesque locations. Hiking the Sterling Pond Trail to Sterling Pond and the top of Smugglers' Notch Ski Resort is something I try to do every year. The trail begins with a moderately steep ascent through lush forests, offering glimpses of the surrounding mountains as you climb. After about 1.1 miles, hikers reach Sterling Pond, the highest tr...