Nov
2
Stowe: Where Should We Go?
If you’ve been following our coverage of HGTV Urban Oasis, then you’ve already met FrontDoor.com’s senior editor Annalisa Burgos. In an exclusive video series, she scoured New York City in search of Vern Yip’s favorite shopping destinations, the coolest places to hang in the Financial District and design secrets that stretch the limits of small living spaces.
This week, she’s headed to Stowe to explore the HGTV Dream Home 2011 neighborhood for FrontDoor.com. Where would you like her to go? What cool sites should she hit up? Cast your vote in the poll below and post more thoughts below.
Plenty of votes already, but no comments?
That was a difficult choice once again, I hope she will get to tour more than one location. My first choice was the Gondola, but I really wanted her to see the fall foliage, so if it snows??.. Who knows, It may be all those beautiful colors with a dusting of white. The best of both seasons in one ride. ; )
My other choice is the Trapp Family Lodge.. I have been quite fascinated from the beginning with the Trapp family. I do hope she gets to go there, and loves the musical family as much as I do.
I would have chosen Ben and Jerry's Ice cream, however if she stands there and eats a triple decker ice cream cone right in front of me and I can't have any…??? I don't think that will set too well with me.
Agreed I dont think I want to watch her eat the cold goodness that is called ice cream in front of me too!
OK, the certified nerd will respond. I want to go to the rock quarry. I admit it, lapidary is fun to me, I love rocks, and I want to see it. There, now you all know. Plus, I won't have to worry about Cami salivating over ice cream if we go to the quarry:-) To the quarry!
Hi Debra! Long time… Where ya been? Off having a great time I'm sure.
Well, now that you're fully drenched and entrenched for the Winter, I hope we see you around more often. : )
That's a good choice Debra, I forgot about my love of rocks, however you won't catch me drooling over the creamy deliciousness of crushed rocks, anytime soon. LOL
Although, I guess If I was starving and wandering around the desert a few days, crushed rock may start looking good to me.
Busy, busy, busy… But, the good news is it is 70 degrees today and I was out and about with the top down! FABULOUS! This is Oregon's equivalent of the lottery LOL!!! Yee haw!!!
stowe only has three listings for the editor burgos to visit. The rest are miles out of town. Same with the HGTV film giving the wrong impression that Ben & jerry's and other places are in town. Where should she go? Try the art galleries for one or the Stowe Museum Center in town. Or Laughing Moon Chocolates for a demo on candy making.
I feel that our family has a big connection to Stowe and this Dream Home because we are The Timm Family Singers(like The Trapp Family Singers) and have been called the vonTimms. All six of us have been singing together for more than a decade and the first musical theater production that Mom and Dad and our 4 children were in together was The Sound of Music! I have never been to Vermont, but have always wanted to go to Stowe because of the Trapp Family Lodge. I think that this Dream Home would be a wonderful place for our family to make some new music together.
Good morning everybloggie !
Oooh, my vote would be for Annalisa to tour the Spa please :O) We all could use a little pampering, buffing and polishing :O) And get " Spruced Up" for the Holidays !
GoldieLocksBear
XO
Snowy Halloween @ DH 2011! *_*
http://twitpic.com/32tgld
Thank you Cheesecake. May you go on to post more twitter pics and inspire many more calories- and deliciousness for years to come. ; )
Hi Cheescakelover,
Thanks for the great pic of the Snow-on-Stowe :O) Doesn't it look delightful !
GoldieLocksBear
XO
Have they choose a winner for the UO? (i mean the drawing)
Well, that was a difficult decision. I've been to Ben & Jerry's, and Rock of Ages, both were great. I voted for the Von Trapp lodge because it sounds like a "must see" no gondolas for me I don't like heights. The wine and cheese sound like they should be done on the same day designated driver please for tasters!
Mary, will we have TWO people reporting on Stowe–Gail and Annalisa? Stowe has so much to offer that I'm sure it will take two experienced investigators to report back on all they discover. Can't wait for Annalisa's vlog. This just gets gooder and gooder!!!!
Your comment could not have been said better Lessie, and I am with you kid.
Gondola would be our first choice what beautiful views! Calling Cami our snow detective do you read Cheesecakelover snow is sticking on the ground in Stowe! Is it time to declare a winner of the DH Stowe snow contest? Here is a no snow ride on the gondola. http://vtmapleproducts.com/tag/mount-mansfield/
I'm ready to declare another winner, just because I'm not sure I can follow the snow anymore. I've been kinda busier than usual. So by the withering and tiring powers-deflating in me- I am ready to name CplusE as the Snow Queen (that ruined Halloween.. ; ) He he he ) of the 2011 Dream Home Blog.
While I'm at it, I need to pass the "Chief Snow Blower" title to someone else for the duration of this snowfall predicting job.
Any volunteers?? It's an easy job.. Really. ; )
Here you go.. Take the snow guess list and run with it.
Deerspring October 18th-Title: Snowfall Princess
CplusE October 31st – Title: Snow Queen (that ruined Halloween) Sorry CplusE It's just so catchy.
MeKhazSimi November 1st
Fun for Dot November 1st
Boomer November 2nd
Grsy97 November 4th
Goldielocksbear November 7th
Summer Silver November 8th
RJMStone November 12th
Cami one thing I learned in the Army don't volunteer for anything and keep a low profile! You have done a great job and will be recommended for a promotion. You deserve to take some RR.
Funny I learned the same thing at the PTO.
Hi Alice and Soney. The gondola would be at the top of my list also. The view from Mt.Mansfield is breath-taking I'm sure. LOL
Next would be Green Mountain Roasters for a fine cup of coffee done the green way! http://www.coffeeicon.com/info_block/Green_Mounta…
Visit them all!! Then tell us all about them!!
I second that!!!
I agree with gremol — visit them all! How can we possibly be expected to choose? Give me a little time and I will add to the list — there are so many fun and interesting places in Stowe and vicinity!
I agree with you.
I have been told that stowe is beautiful
and that there is a lot to do and that the village is very quaint.
Hopefully will get to see the DH inside as an early present!
My most memorable Halloween as a child is when there was 6 inches of snow on the ground. See it's a good thing to "ruin" Halloween. Stowe Children have probably had at least one Halloween snow day already. ; )
Most definitely need to see the Boyden Valley Winery. Very interesting how they make their ice wine in mid November. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-dow0LIQKM&fe…
The winery was my first choice, alice ! Thank you for the link; the ice wine looks like it would be wonderful, and I hope HGTV has a botttle or two for the winner. Youtube also had lots of VT videos following that one, and I watched the one about the Round Barn Inn. ( I only visit the DH blogs on occasion since I was primarily on the DIY blog cabin site. I was so in love with the barn and property in New York State, I naturally had to see the video on Vermont's Round Barn. ) What a great bed & breakfast place !!
Hi, I loved their story and the history of the winery. Thanks for sharing. ____
Thanks MeKhazSimi Soney and I are having so much fun on our journey around the world. Today has been a beautiful day in Seattle we have been outside soaking up the sun and playing ball and doing a little yard work. Soney doesn't like to do yard work so when I stop playing ball and pull a few weeds he drops his ball in the bucket I use for the weeds or someplace else that requires me to retrieve it for him. Mr Smarty Pants! Hugs to the Girls!
Mr. Smarty Pats Soney gave me and the girls our smile and chuckle for the day.. So in other words he—–got to romp and play all day—which was his A plan——-I can just see him sitting there staring at you and figuring out his next move. How cute. LOL
MARY, what happened to the VERMONT TEDDY BEAR FACTORY? How could it not have made Annalisa Burgos' Dream Home visitation list? No self-respecting design fan would dream of missing a factory tour.
Barry the Holstein Teddy Bear, along with thousands of his closest friends, would be devastated not to find their hometown on the "must see" list.
The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory is one of the most popular tours in Vermont. They are located not more than 9 miles south of Burlington, and will be found 1 mile south of the village of Shelburne.
http://www.vermontteddybear.com/Static/Tour-Essentials.a...
My vote, Barry's vote, and Show Me's votes go to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. That's 3 already….
I'll follow that vote with Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory and the Trapp Family Lodge — and certainly a winery. The Boyden Valley Winery is certainly a good choice for a sampling of Vermont wines.
Hi DBCoop,
Thanks for remembering the BEARS :O) lol
GoldieLocksBear
XO
You're welcome, GoldieLocksBear! After all, somebody has to speak up for the bears. Do you know that in California they don't even count those cute little guys as a passenger in order to use the car pool lane?! I mean, really…how would YOU feel if you were treated as a non-entity!
You're right. How on earth did they forget the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory? I'm surprised they didn't include a tour of one of Vermont's Maple Syrup Farms—–isn't this also one of Vermont's signature "items"?
I was just thinking Mary listed every possible tour in Vermont… Except the kitchen sink!! Hmmmm, strange tour, I agree. I know I wouldn't want anyone touring my kitchen sink right now. I would be mortified.
How could the Teddy Bear have been overlooked? The Teddy Bear is a World renowned, collectible- toy phenomonen. The Teddy Bear is timeless, and it knows no boundries..
I say let the Teddy Bear vote! Or I mean be included in the vote.
I'm sure way too many American Teddy Bears have already voted recently.
I don't know how Annalisa will feel about this, but I think she should get to experience a dogsled ride! Here is one possibility:
http://umiak.com/Winter/DogSledPage.html
She can opt for the 20-minute ride, or go all out for the 2-hour trip in nearby Waterbury! Of course, it all depends on if there is enough snow…
Of course, if she is not a fan of dogsleds, how about a carriage or sleigh ride (again depending on snow conditions):
http://www.gentlegiantsrides.com/sleighrides.htm
Just think, Annalisa could be "dashing through the snow" just in time for Thanksgiving!
Hi CplusE,
Yes !!! I second your vote for a dogsled ride and sleigh ride :O) Great ideas !
GoldieLocksBear
XO
Not to change the subject but here is a list of the Tournament of Roses floats for 2011. One of them is Saving America's Mustang Foundation and another is Dole don't they have a plantation in Hawaii? And of course HGTV! There is a long list of floats. We found this very interesting. http://www.tournamentofroses.com/roseparade/parti…
Here is the Dole Plantation. They also make Dole Whip that is what some of the people are eating in the video. http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=YhvKfF1DbOY&fea…
Here is a video of Saving America's Mustang Foundation. Very moving. I remember seeing wild horses in Montanta how beautiful they were. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgWftUrxQw
Hi all, I have grown accustomed to her face, she is like a household word in the threestates that I hang out, and since Gail has introduced us to the Stowe home, I would would love to see her continue to navigate all that Stowe has to offer including the ready to emerge Stowe DH in Stowe Vermont–hurray!!
P.S, as a spin off to what Lessie said so beautifully, I'll have to say I've followed and enjoyed every minute of Annilisa's travelogues, and feel that between what is familiar and new, both our beloved Gail and Annilisa should have two unique perspectives, on what's to do in Stowe, preparing for the holidays, interviews with the locals, updates on the secret hiding places in the DH, winter activities, design mania, pancakes etc.., the best shopping in the town, DH walk through, DH blogger's party, favorite rooms of the DH, who lives in Stowe, festival of lights, ski day mock up,appliances reliances, and the list goes on.
I wholeheartedly agree with Janzee because Gail's vlogs and posts are dedicated to HGTV's home and all the questions bloggers have about the home as well as conversations with Jack, Linda, or the host of the giveaway show. Annalisa focuses on the area, what to do there, conversations with the locals, and all must visit places the winner must experience if he or she wants to be part of the local scene. Love the way HGTV explores new opportunities for its viewers pleasure. Never thought their questions about New York would lead to a new give-away. What a nice way to introduce the Urban Oasis.
The more I know you, the more I realize that you are able to cut straight through the mustard and offer a clear thinking perspective about the whole picture. We have all become very involved like you say with Gail on the home front. Her vlogs give offer a genuine "Gail" quality, and there is a je ne sais quoi she offers, as she keeps us on our toes with her delicious enthusiasm, and sparkle. We never know "what is around the bend, but….with her dialogue we get to know just enough about Jack, Linda, and each other on a very personal basis. Whilst with Annalisa, the neighborhood and all of it's neighborhoodish qualities is revealed like we are taking a walk with a new friend, and the finds, and the views, and the discoveries…..
That's what happens when bloggers have been around for a while–their real personality emerges and you get to know them on a different level. However, I also realize that people allow you to know what they want you to know.
Your personality is Golden Lessie, and the more I learn the more I love. You are you!!! I love that you question details and don't except face value. This is a sign of a leader, which I know you are. I have an easier time with friends and family when they are straight up with me, and put my circle talk on the right track
Janzee, I think the same about you. I'm sure all of your friends would agree too.
Check this out — a sneak peek of the Stowe DH exterior:
http://renovationsmarts.blogspot.com/2010/11/stow…
If they are done filming, could the virtual tour be coming up soon?
CplusE, love your research. Deyano's article is great. Anyone who can trespass, get an interview with the builder, take photos, and then publish the article is welcomed on this blog. Sure hope more articles informing locals pop up.
Good morning CplusE !
Yum. I would love to find a box of Himalayan Bear Darjeeling in the Spruce Peak pantry, next to the porridge…
GoldieLocksBear
XO
they chose a winner for the blog cabin, a wonderful family go over and read about the winners and what they plan to do.
New Twitpic photos from the landscaping company, Ambler Designs:
http://twitpic.com/photos/AmblerDesign
…Hot Tub!!!!
Fraggyx, are you trying to make me fall in love with the 2011 Dream Home?! Awesome photos. Thanks for sharing. Sunken hot tub?! Yes, I think I could love it.
PS. Annalisa should explore some of the areas in your photos. But then everyone would want the Stowe Dream Home when they really see all Vermont has to offer.
Fraggyx, is the male image on the door of the Dream Home a reflection of you on in the "blue stone patio and stairs" photo? That happened to me once when I was taking photos for an article.
PS. Absolutely loved your photo of the restored garden stream. It's beautiful.
The "stone walkway and pond side gardens" photo captured my heart. How far is North Hill from the 2011 Dream?
Thanks for the Hot Air Balloon Festival photo. Didn't know there was a hot air balloon festival in Stowe.
Owl's head is nice. The "road-side watering hole" photo is priceless.
Er, sorry to disappoint, Lessie! While I am male, I'm not a part of Ambler Designs.. I just found their twitpic page and linked it here :-/
But to answer your question about North Hill, it's about halfway to Waterbury, south of Stowe, if I recall correctly, and is a leisurely 20-30 min drive.
To answer the future question about my residency, I do not live in Stowe, I just used to go there every summer as a kid
(Been on what's currently the DH lot before, even!)
Oh the memories you must have! It's so good having a blogger who knows about Stowe and what's happening at the Dream Home. Thanks for the photos.
Hi, From my experiene, most resort towns always have a "best kept secret(s) list" —-tucked away on side streets—you know, the small diamonds a "determined tourist" usually stumbles onto by accident—–the locals favorite pub/clothingboutique/bookstore/restaurant/theatre productions—-to name a few. "One" of those uncovered by Annalisa would be fun to have her explore—-just one though, because,I guess, there needs to be a few unrapped Stowe presents left for the winner to discover on their own. ha
MeKhazSimi, Annalisa would never have enough time to discover all the best kept secrets of Stowe. She won't be there long enough for locals to get to know and trust her with their secrets. The winner will have more than enough time to sit and mingle with Stowe residents–especially if they're invited for brunch or dinner.
Catnip treats! Yes!!! Khazzie and Simi are turning cartwheels over this find. LOL
Liked your second link too, CplusE. Wondered if the 2011 Dream Home will have a matching doggie dream home. If so, it probably won't be used during the winter months.
I have to admit that while all the items on the Stowe "must see" list are very worthwhile, I have had to withhold my votes, as my conscience won't let me cast a vote for anywhere but the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. It's not that I couldn't live with myself if I did, but I'd never hear the end of it from Barry (aka Benny in real life) the Holstein Teddy Bear.
I bought 6 of their bears over the years…one for a nephew, 1 for my friend and 1 for her daughter's HS graduation, an angel bear for my religious mom in law, and one each for my grandson and granddaughter…… I don't know what anyone named them –LOL!
I have not purchased any recently– I think after six I should have gotten "frequent – growler miles", if not a store discount….
Maybe the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory should start a Frequent Buyer Club — buy 10 bears and get the eleventh one free — or something like that. That would be an incentive for me to adopt a few more of them for gifts.
Hi What I really, really, really, truly want——is to see the entire interior of the Stowe Dream Home. LOL
I couldn't possibly agree with you more, MeKhazSimi!
I 2nd that!!
Trust me, CplusE, no one will ever know you are the Snow Queen in the real world unless
you choose to tell them so! I've been traveling as the Snowfall Princess incognito for the
last few weeks completely undetected! LOL!
Well I can't believe it!! Nobody has even approached you to predict a snowfall date for their area?? Or to inquire about a "White Christmas"?? Well…. They probably know about your "Title", They're just, perhaps, a little intimidated by your greatness. ; )
Cami, mum's the word. No one knows about the title so far but I was standing in
line voting yesterday and thought my masquerade was over! The little lady at
the ballot table when I signed in told me that I was a special voter. I thought she
must know I'm the Snowfall Princess and my cover has been blown! It turns out
I was Voter #500! I didn't even get a free cup of coffee for the recognition……..
just another great title! Yes, and after checking into Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
this morning I found out that I share my title with a Christmas teddy bear!!
Thank you my love, this is one of the greatest compliments I have ever heard, and will share it with my family as it is the kind that spurs you on, to keep doing what your doing. I feel the same to you.
You're so sweet Janzee, yet down-home and comfortable at the same time.
Still see your Hawaiian picture Cami. Maybe the next time I check the blog I'll see your blue jay.
Hi Cami, I love this Blue Jay, he's gorgeous. Did you take this pic? Awesome photo. LOL
Nope didn't take it.. Of course you already knew that. ; )
It was really strange to see 3 different avatar pics attached to my name at the same time.. I goofed and changed it to a pic of my daughter, then I tried to change it and ID wouldn't let me for a bit. Then It finally did, so I went cruising around the blog and back to ID and I could see 3 different pics in 3 different places, until finally the bird took over.
I like the bluejay avatar. Thinking ahead to your next one, Cami, might it be a photo of your husband's old Army jeep? That would be unique.
Actually I was hoping it would be a pic of my husband and I. Winners of the first ever HGTV Urban Oasis. I guess we could be sitting in the rusty ol' jeep if you'd like. I know our new neighbors at the Urban Oasis would be thrilled to see it, especially if it were a whole family pic… ; )
Yeeee Haaaaw!!! Grab your sleepin' bags kids we are all goin' to live at the Urban Oasis in New York City. LOL. The Beverly Hillbillies take on New York City.
It would be really sad, if I was actually the chosen winner of the UO and HGTV saw my post, and said "On second thought, lets go with the alternate winner"
That the ticket Ali, you always put the cherry on top of the huge ice cream sundae. Oh that Nat King Cole was devine, and your site also took me to Rex singing the same song, which led me to the last scene of the movie with Audrey. I love it. How's about we go have a big one at Ben and Jerry's?