May « 2009 « Four Columns Inn Blog

May 26, 2009

Warm weather activities

Filed under: hikes in southern vermont, southern vermont art, southern vermont canoeing, southern vermont dining — fourcolumns @ 5:26 pm

Summer is underway… We’re off! A full house of happy guests just checked out today. This Memorial Day weekend we had guests celebrating anniversaries and graduations, weekend ‘quick escape artists’, just looking for time to decompress, and several very active outdoor enthusiasts getting the season off to an active start. After sketchy forecasts the weather blessed us with cool sunny days and brisk evenings. This lively group experienced a nice variety of some of the area attractions. There is a lot of summer ahead! Grab your partner, lover or fuzzy friend and come visit. Don’t forget our weekly Monday Morning Specials. You can see them on our website, or get first crack by signing up for our weekly email. Just send us and email with ‘Monday morning special’ in the subject. Here’s a sample of what awaits!

Canoe trips at BattenKill Canoe Some of the most beautiful areas of southern Vermont can be experienced from a canoe or kayak. At BattenKill Canoe you are escorted to the river and picked up at a pre-determined location downstream

Bike rides and rentals from West Hill Bikes With a broad variety of bikes and routes to suit your ambition and ability. We have a large selection of paved and unpaved routes to give you a choice of short leisurely tours, or more demanding itineraries. We can direct you to scenic routes with light traffic to maximize your enjoyment of biking through the back roads of southern Vermont.

(Very brisk) dips in our just-opened pool These intrepid souls were under 12, which explains how this was accomplished. However, with warm sunny days now at hand basking on the deck entertaining thoughts of taking a cold dip isn’t too bad.

Golf at Stratton, Mt Snow, Haystack and more Also nearby are Brattleboro Country Club, and Okemo’s Tater Hill. Most of these locations offer summer golf school sessions which some of our guests will be attending later this summer. Escape to a golf outing here in the beautiful green hills and valleys of southern Vermont.

Lounging by our stream, ponds and gardens We believe we witnessed major headway by our guests on books and newspapers out by the pool and the Adirondack chairs we have placed here and there throughout the grounds and next to the stream.

Shopping at Dutton’s Farm Stand With farms throughout southern Vermont, Dutton’s Farm Stand always has a nice selection of local produce and fresh baked pies. Greg and Zak frequently make runs to Dutton’s when they are preparing the evening’s dinner menu. Having a cocktail in the Tavern or on the porch served by our experienced (and very accommodating) wait staff

Head Waiter Bob Leavitt has been a Four Columns feature in the dining room for over 12 years and knows how to make a mean martini brim full to the top of the glass…just like you’re supposed to. (…and he never spills the drink) Better yet, he and the rest of the wait staff have a reputation for warm and professional dining service.

Enjoying Chef Greg and Zak’s summer menus

Here Sous Chef Zak Clayton works his magic. Items on our menus change daily, with seasonal favorites introduced frequently. This weekend items included Crispy Soft Shell Crab with lemon caper tarragon mayonnaise, Local Wild Leek Soup with Fresh Morels, and Baked Halibut and lobster with slow-baked tomato, olive oil, rosemary and garlic.

Hiking to the summit of Stratton Mountain and the Fire Tower

Actually, the weather was so beautiful we did this hike with Toby, our Golden Retriever and our legs are still all tingly. But if you want a good work-out and a great view this is the hike for you. The final climb to the top of the fire tower to see the surrounding mountains and lakes, and to feel the wind is well worth the effort!

Glass Blowing exhibition at Taft Hill Gift Store and Gallery

This past weekend visitors were able to watch Robert DuGrenier and Zachary Wickhaman demonstrate their craft as they worked on a commissioned Tiffany sculpture for a store opening in Seattle. But you can visit any time to see these beautiful works of art and other fun items from the Taft Hill Gift Store

And finally…

Retreating to one of our guest rooms for a good night’s sleep before enjoying a hearty country breakfast and finding the next adventure for the day ahead.

Comments (0)

May 16, 2009

Favorite Hikes with Toby the Golden Retriever

Filed under: Favorite Hikes, Hikes, Hikes with Toby, Jamaica Park — fourcolumns @ 1:25 pm

Jamaica State Park

Pet friendly Four Columns Inn is the home of Toby, our robust, lovable and energetic Golden. If not taking a snooze Toby likes nothing more than escaping with his masters through the hills of Vermont, or touring to other places where he always seems to get attention and lots of pats.

One of Toby’s favorite Vermont hikes is beautiful Jamaica State Park, just up the road from The Four Columns. An old railroad bed from the 1800s manicured for hiking parallels the West River and makes a wonderful 2 ½ mile tour to the crest of the Bald Mountain Dam The trail is generally flat, and wide, perfect for a quiet stroll and conversation.

Less than a mile into the hide a picnic table is situated on a platform overlooking the river. This is one of many great spots for a picnic. Before you take off for your hike you can grab a sandwich just across the street from The Four Columns at The Newfane General Store, or The Newfane Creamery.

A bit further is the Overlook loop trail. A little climb and worth the effort for the birds’ eye view of the surrounding hillsides. Another option on up the main trail is the Hamilton Falls trail. This is about a mile climb to see this beautiful waterfall and pool tucked into a deep crevasse in a beautiful wooded area.

Continuing on the trail next to the river brings you to a beaver pond at the base of Bald Mountain Dam. Here Toby likes to take a swim before we climb the switch-back trail to the top. Once you reach the top of the dam, views of Stratton Mountain can be enjoyed. Fresh stiff breezes always make this an exciting vista. Twice a year the gates of the dam open wide to the delight of whitewater kayakers from around New England. The trip to the dam and back is roughly 3 hours or more depending upon your pace. This is a hike we find rewarding in all seasons. Don’t forget your snowshoes or cross country skis in the winter!

Comments (0)

May 13, 2009

Rock River Artist Studio Tour July 18-19

Filed under: art tour, artist, rock river artists, southern vermont art — fourcolumns @ 4:36 pm

Rock River Artists announce the 2009 studio tour
Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19

Take advantage of the 3-Day weekend Super Saver or other Packages and combine your tour with the dining and hospitality of the quintessentially New England Four Columns Inn

The self-guided tour begins in picturesque South Newfane, Vermont.
Maps to individual artists’ studios will be available at The Four Columns and at The Old Schoolhouse in South Newfane.

The 17th Rock River Studio Tour offers a quintessential Vermont summer getaway. Anyone who has done Rock River knows the tour is different every time, and many people regularly plan their summer travels around the July event

The breathtaking art produced in this valley burgeons in the fertile fields of a sublime landscape. Within minutes of beginning the tour, one may see a sunny pasture overcome with daylilies, a cool forest fragrant with fallen hemlock needles, a 200-year-old barn still in use on a family farm, a dirt road that winds up a steep slope through a quaint old wood, and a covered bridge that crosses a clattery, shimmering river. It’s worth coming to Rock River just for the chance to take the many roads less traveled by.

But for most visitors, the draw of Rock River is the unique alchemy that results when you have 15 world-class artists showing their work within a 12-mile radius. When these artists open their homes, gardens and studios to the public for the weekend, the experience is comfortably intimate. Though this is a tour, participants are not treated like tourists: everyone is invited in as a back-door neighbor. And while the tour includes many artists whose works regularly appear in big-name galleries and museum collections, that is not the point here. A museum visit resembles Rock River the way a display of stuffed lions resembles a safari. The art in its native habitat, much of it in progress, still pulses with the ideas, emotions and other mysterious forces that originally called it into being.

For more information about the tour visit the Rock River Artist website.

Comments (0)

May 12, 2009

Spring Gardens

Filed under: gardens, vermont photographs, weddings — fourcolumns @ 8:00 pm

What a Spring!

This is turning out to be a long luxurious spring! Continuing cool days and cool evenings are giving this season a nice long window. Mia loaded the gardens with tulips last fall and they have been adding color to every corner of the grounds…a true garden of Eden on a New England village green! Daffodils have been equally gorgeous, and now the red buds, apple lilacs and other flowering trees are beginning to burst. The beauty of the Four Columns gardens is they have been lovingly nurtured for years, so almost every week brings a new surprise with some unexpected color…so stay tuned!

No wonder this is a favorite location for Vermont weddings. Take a relaxing trip to our southern Vermont Inn and relax by the stream or just take a stroll and enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of this colorful season.

Comments (0)

May 10, 2009

Visit Friesians of Majesty

Filed under: horseback instruction, show horses, summer activity — fourcolumns @ 12:58 pm

Extraordinary Friesians of Majesty
Stately beautiful jet-black Show Horses
Activities abound! When you escape to our romantic country inn here in southern Vermont, you may want to see some of the amazing sights that can be found in the area.

Just 15 minutes from The Four Columns resides Friesians of Majesty, a breed of jet-black horses that originated in the Netherlands. Owner Robert Labrie proudly displays his line of extraordinary horses at his 650 acre farm, recognized as one of the best Friesian facilities in North America. Here is champion Othello at his finest!

Visitors may schedule private riding or carriage lessons…
These gentle horses are approachable and a delight to ride. The staff is prepared to instruct beginners or experienced riders. Younger children are ‘double teamed’ by the instructors to give them an extraordinary and safe ride on top of elegance and grace.

Enjoy an elegant carriage ride on the grounds

A romantic ride around the farm will rekindle the magic of any relationship, and there is no better way to add a touch of drama and class to your Vermont wedding! We can arrange to have a Friesian-drawn carriage at your wedding, an elegant way to arrive and depart.

Interact with the beautiful horses (and colts) in a guided tour of the European style barns…
Watch the Friesian team perform in one of the regularly scheduled performances This is a captivating show as the drill team performs to music. Dressage freestyle is exhibited, driving is demonstrated, and a majestic Friesian runs at liberty (click here to see the schedule)…

Winter Sleigh Rides have been a Four Columns guest favorite
In the winter, take a journey back in time with a Friesian –drawn sleigh ride. Whether you would like to enjoy the bright sun bouncing off the sparkling snow or the brilliant moon reflecting on the snowy fields, the picturesque farm surrounded by majestic mountains is the perfect backdrop for that special sleigh ride.

Our guests have been delighted with visits to see Robert and this special place…

Just recently we visited with friends and were able to schedule riding lessons for the kids followed by a special performance and tour. The tour included a visit to some frisky new members of the Friesian family. Here Briana in her riding regale is escorted through some of the basics.

Robert put his prize stallion, Othello through the paces in a stunning performance of high steps and tight maneuvers. A beautiful sight.

Robert then escorted us to meet more of the Friesian family. Each of these little guys has the personal care and attention of Robert. From the day they arrive they are often lulled to sleep in Robert’s arms. As they mature, training and learning the ways of a champion is facilitated by the close relationship between the horse and his master. It shows in the performance and the character of these beautiful horses.

To learn more about Friesians of majesty visit the website by clicking here.

Comments (0)

May 7, 2009

Summer music and outdoor concerts

Filed under: Independence Day Concerts, Music festivals, Summer Activities — fourcolumns @ 9:20 pm

Southern Vermont is renowned for the rich arts community and in the summer the sounds of music can be heard here in the Southeast corner of the state. Following are a few of this year’s events. Take advantage of our 3 Day Weekend Super Saver and save 50% on one night’s stay while you relax for a long weekend of music, dining and soaking up the summer!

Independence Day weekend
Enjoy a picnic under the stars and a performance by The Vermont Symphony Orchestra, capped by a fireworks display
Friday July 3, 7:30 pm (gates open at 5:30)

If you are looking for a great 4th of July weekend, come visit us and enjoy inspiring music, a picnic dinner complete with candles, a magnificent setting, and spectacular fireworks. On Friday, July 3, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra will perform the annual Independence Eve concert at nearby Grafton Ponds to benefit the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.

With advance reservations we are offering our guests tickets, a picnic dinner complete with candles and blanket, along with wine or other beverage. Click here for details

Marlboro Music Festival
Many of our guests return year after year to enjoy the acclaimed performances of musicians from around the globe as they perform a series of concerts at the Marlboro College Music Festival.

Experience the unique and exciting music making that emanates from this international chamber music center. For over five decades, Marlboro has presented generations of the world’s musical leaders in collaborative performances on the hilltop campus of Marlboro College in rural southeastern Vermont, just minutes away from the Four Columns. The New York Times calls the concerts, ‘Extraordinary…rising stars and musical legends play side by side.’

Weekend concerts begin July 19 and run for five weekends through August 16. Order tickets online and see details on the Marlboro Music website

Yellow Barn Music School and Festival
Yellow Barn offers an inspiring five-week study and performance experience for advanced students and young professionals each summer during July and early August, and an intensive workshop for younger students in June. Public concerts are presented from mid-June through early August. Yellow Barn is centered in lovely rural Putney, Vermont, a mecca for the arts in the southeastern corner of the state and just minutes away from the Four Columns.

This year, Yellow Barn marks its 40th year. Performances begin Thursday, June 19. Visit the Yellow Barn Website for the summer concert schedule and ticket information.

Comments (0)