As readers of this blog may already know, we planned a(nother) getaway to celebrate the 24th anniversary of our first date. Unlike that many years ago experience in our native NJ, this time we celebrated in New England, specifically VT.
Despite our fondness for lodgings in a castle-like or former mansion B&B, we stayed in a former ski lodge, later an English Tudor Inn, which has reverted to a ski lodge with a fun modern motif.
The Field Guide Lodge foregoes traditional design for a funky, colorful atmosphere. It's on a small hill on Mountain Ave in Stowe, VT, and definitely unlike the previous lodging at the site. It's ultra-modern, yet casual and comfortable. This visit was definitely modern New England ski-type lodge in a stylish, fun, and relaxed hotel, ideal for those who, like us, enjoy more than a B&B experience, but less than a traditional resort.
There wasn't any history about the former ski lodge (Sans Souci), but there were a number of online photos that showed exterior and interior views of the most recent previous lodging, called Ye Olde England Inne. As seen in online photos it heavily featured lots of dark browns in its decor. The former ski lodge was purchased in 1983 by a British couple vacationing in VT and renovated into a classic English Tudor style inn with dark wood moldings and paintings of equestrian scenes, dogs and aristocrats. An in-house restaurant/pub was called Mr. Pickwick’s. This English-themed inn was foreclosed in 2014 with an assessed value of $1.6 million.
Purchased by a developer for $800,000, Lark Hotels later contracted to buy the property for $1.1 million and by late 2015 completed a $2.5 million overhaul. The Lark Hotels group has lodgings in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Most recently we stayed at the Hotel Portsmouth (NH). Because we liked our stay there, we sought out this hotel. (The veterans military discount and discount card we received from our previous stay were also incentives.)
The 2.5-acre Field Guide Lodge property has guest rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar (now vacant), a whirlpool, covered deck, pavilion and outdoor pool.
Main desk and lobby of Field Guide Lodge |
Orange is the color of choice |
Lobby decor of Field Guide Lodge |
Seating areas in main lobby of Field Guide Lodge |
The Field House which includes suites of the Field Guide Lodge |
One drawback was that an onsite popular, casual eatery known as the Picnic Social was no longer operational. We heard that it was a fun, upscale, casual eatery with outdoor picnic tables on a covered deck. It closed in early 2018 (not COVID related). We were told that plans are underway to reopen a dining area at a TBD future date.
Tables and seating areas in closed Social Picnic restaurant |
Onion rings & burgers at the Sunset Grill, Stowe, VT |
Our main activity during this getaway was walking in and around downtown Stowe, which we've visited before, along with a road trip to neighboring Waterbury, VT. Stowe is noted for things related to sports and the great outdoors. We saw more cyclists during our short stay here than we've seen in weeks in Nashua, NH.
View of downtown Stowe from Recreation Path |
Part of this walkway called the Quiet Path connects to the Recreation Path. What’s unique about this path compared to the longer Recreation Path is that it's for joggers and walkers only with posted signage to that effect (although we did spot a couple of cyclists).
Little River view from Quiet Path walk |
It’s natural surface vs. pavement and winds along the West branch of Little River. The 1.8-mile long path has a lot of interpretive signs and benches to sit and enjoy the views or a picnic lunch.
Grenville met a friendly bear |
The hand-carved bench was very unique |
In the mid 1870s, the land was agricultural and the farmland was owned by Orlando J. Benson. He had 160 acres of land, with 50 acres of pasture, 30 cows and a sugar orchard. The Mayo family bought the farm in 1925 and it was used primarily for dairy farming until 1986 when pigs continued to be raised there.
Most predominant wildflowers along our walk |
A plan to develop the Stowe Recreation Path started when traffic on Mountain Road, one of the town's main roadways, became so congested. Pedestrians and bikers were endangered by the vehicles and had to curtail walking and cycling activities.
At the start, about two and a half miles of the path were paved, along with 16 bridges. Most of the land was donated to allow the construction of the path. Soon, the path became so popular that an extension was planned and later another 2.6 miles were added to it along with four more bridges.
The property is open to the general public for all types of outdoor recreation. Some crops, primarily corn, are still grown in the fields. Public access is sometimes limited or prohibited when agricultural practices, such as harvesting, are being done.
Maple creemees in downtown Stowe (VT) |
After walking, we headed downtown to Stowe Mercantile for a treat (after all, this was our celebration road trip). Shown above is our choice of a maple creemee, a swirling tower of maple-flavored soft serve atop a sugar cone, known as soft serve ice cream anywhere other than Vermont. Why? Because years ago, Vermont ice cream was made with a higher butterfat content than run-of-the-mill soft serve so it was creamier in texture and richer in flavor, and so creemee comes from creamy. Just to make a couple of New Jersey natives feel at home in New England, we spotted this license plate, which goes to further support that there's always a Jersey connection!
18 comments:
I want me some onion rings.
I had to laugh when you showed the NJ license plate, and I say this with a smile, but us old curmudgeon New Englanders would say another damn tourist to that New Jersey plate. No matter. There is plenty of room for everyone here. I like Stowe. It is a nice little town. I love the idea you recreated your burgers and onion rings. They look quite yummy. That would be my kind of first date. And seeing I met my husband in college and don't remember a first date because he lived in the same dorm and was around, I love the idea you have recreated the first date too. Sounds like a nice get away. Hope your week is going well. Hugs-Erika
the insdie is really quite beautiful and out of all the photos, only two things I am not fond of, the tree stump by the tub and the other stump. everything else I really like. and the outdoors is wonderful, what a great place to hike in peace and quiet. you mad a great choice
It sounds like you had a good time.
The only thing I know about Stowe is the VonTrapp family lodge. It looks like it has many other lovely attractions, including a beautiful inn and many wonderful outdoor opportunities.
All good wishes (belately) for your Happy Anniversary -- and for many more to come!
You seem to have had an enjoyable break. An olde English inn like no other!
What fun...you all are becoming great tourist bloggers...letting us know where is good to visit. Of course that may not have been your intention...anyway, congrats on anniversary of first date!
Beatrice, We've never been to Stowe although we've roamed most of the state south of there including Burlington and Montpelier. Looks lovely! We celebrate our first date every year...because it is also our wedding anniversary. we were married one year to the date after our first date. Our first meal together was pizza. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
The hotel looks to cater to the likes of a younger set of guests with the decor and options. Maple creamees! Yum. You'll have to try Mac's Maple creamees when you visit St. Gaudens. It's just north of there.
The Field Guide Lodge is yet another amazing place on your traveling agenda. I generally prefer traditional decor - - but I like the colorful, unique contemporary feeling in the rooms. After all, it was a ski lodge.
You have a lot of great photos. I especially like the wooden bear bench and that lovely bridge.
What could be better than burgers and onion rings?
And ice cream!
I really like the decor of the lodge. Not for my own home, but it’s fun to see elsewhere! That bench is a piece of art. And I’ve never had soft serve that was anything besides vanilla or chocolate or swirl of the two.
More rustic than a lot of places you have been but pretty there. :)
The lodge is beautiful. It's cozier than the castles you have been visiting. I am in love with Grenville's bears! And I would do bodily harm for a creemee.
That was a romantic trip down memory lane. Loved the accommodation and the ice creams.
It sounds like you two had a wonderful time.
The Lodge is looking lovely in the first photo.
Seems a good time was had.
The scenery is lovely, and I do like that seat.
I think the Field Guide Lodge should be offering you, at bare minimum, a free night's stay for giving them more great publicity than they ever dreamed of!
What a great outing...thanks for taking me along with you! :)
Now I want some raspberry scones!!!! :)
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