One of the nicest things about Brattleboro is the way that the town center hugs the Connecticut River, nestled at the foot of Mount Wantastiquet. Mount Wantastiquet, being across the river, is in New Hampshire, and is a great place to hike without a long drive to get there. The trail head is just a ten minute drive from the Chesterfield Inn.

Wantastiquet Mountain

I often meet a friend there for a quick hike in the summer or fall (the trail is generally too wet in the spring with the snow melt rushing down the mountain. ) We meet at the bottom of the mountain , just behind the Hinsdale Walmart, where there is a small parking area. From Main Street in Brattleboro, go over the bridge to Hinsdale and take the first left on Mountain Road, a dirt road that ends at the parking area. Depending on your pace, you can get up and down Wantastiquet in less than 2 hours.

The trail follows switchbacks that start to climb immediately. There is a stream that cascades down the side of the mountain, so you can hear rushing water all the way up. The trail, an old quarry road, is wide enough for mountain bikers and is about 2 miles long. Just when you think you’ve had enough, the trail levels out along the ridge of the mountain, and you’ll see a short detour that leads to a rock outcropping with a small monument and an expansive view of the Connecticut River Valley, the town of Brattleboro and the Green Mountains in the distance. You see the ski areas Mount Snow, Stratton , and Bromley, as well as the rolling hills of Massachusetts to the south. The trail continues on to Mine Ledge, to the Madame Sherri Forest and then to Pisgah Park, but we usually stop to look at the view and then head down, back the way we came.

Well, this is when it starts every year. Those of us who choose to live in Northern New England start to go a little crazy in the beginning of March!

By now, we’ve had at least 4 months of cold weather, and at least 3 months of snowy weather. That means we’re accustomed to the cold, and skilled at snow removal from walks, roofs, and driveways. It also means that we think it’s warm if the temperature goes above freezing,  and we throw off our gloves, and drive the car with the sun roof open when it’s 35 degrees out.

This weekend we had our first real taste of spring with temperatures in the 50′s and lots of sunshine. The snow started to melt, and the lawn and gardens started to emerge from their thick blanket of snow. We could hear the birds singing and even sighted a hardy robin in the yard. We rushed outside, to go for walk or to start to  clean up the downed branches from the last snow storm. It was a glorious day!

Then, we woke up to a snow storm on Monday morning which quickly covered the roads,  making everything white again. The roads were slick, and it snowed all day long; we were right back to shoveling. It was depressing, and even the hardiest among us let slip that we were tired of winter. This is just too cruel to bear, a glimmer of hope that spring is near, and then the door slams shut and winter returns.

But, things are looking brighter  today, now that the snow has stopped. The sun is out,  the birds are chirping, and yes, the snow is starting to melt. The trees are still snow covered and sparkling in the sun light, looking magical. So, we lift out heads, take a deep breath, and try to enjoy the last days of winter, ever hopeful for spring to come, ready to have our hopes dashed again before winter is finally over!

Here they are, the newest members of our family! These adorable kittens are the happy ending of a sad story about our beloved cat, Sage. We adopted Sage from the Humane Society six years ago. She was a gray and black tiger who had been hit by a car and nursed back to health at the Humane Society. We fell in love with her when we saw her, and she was so friendly when we took her out of her cage that we knew she’d be a great pet.

Sage followed Mittie and Ellie, who we had for 18 years, so she was our first new cat in a very long time! (Some of our long time house guests remember Ellie, who sat in her box on the front desk and greeted everyone). Sage settled in and was a wonderful pet, a great hunter and was often at the front desk just like Ellie.

Just before Christmas, Sage died very suddenly and we were all heart broken. So, we started asking around about the possibility of anyone in the area having kittens at this dark and cold time of year. We were in luck: the Tolman’s had 4 kittens who were 8 weeks old and looking for homes. I piled all of the teenage boys who were at my house into the car and off we trekked on the icy back roads of Chesterfield, to the Tolman  farm.

At the farm, we all sat on the floor and played with the black and white kittens and finally chose Sophie Boots and Yoda (named by the boys). I had thought that one kitten would be good but we ended up with two because it was so hard to choose! The kittens have provided much entertainment and laughter since their arrival. They periodically visit the inn, and play in the lobby, captivating everyone who comes in the door. This past weekend we had a group of snow shoers who spent at least an hour each day playing with the kittens. In fact, the photo that you see above was taken by one of them!

So here’s an official welcome to Sophie and Yoda-come see us and meet them before they get too big and turn into cats!

In these very uncertain times, it seems even more important to be thoughtful about our holiday gifts to our loved ones. When life is unsettled, we step back and realize how important we are to each other, and how nice it is to surprise someone we love with just the right holiday gift.

At the Chesterfield Inn, we offer gift certificates in any amount, to be used at any time. Gift certificates can be used in our dining room, to pay for a sumptuous dinner with fresh flowers and candlelight. Sometimes a dinner out can seem like a vacation-no cooking, no cleaning up, no kids clamoring for attention. Just a table for two tucked away in the corner of our elegant dining room, with attentive service, and delicious food. A gift certificate for $100 would easily cover a dinner for two with wine, tax and gratuity.

Or, a gift certificate can be used for a stay at the Inn, with full country breakfast for two included. Send your friends, relatives, or business associates, for a much appreciated getaway from their daily life. Treat them to a night or two in one of our king bedded rooms with a fireplace in the bedroom , and over sized windows with views of the meadow. Let them revel in the luxury of a quiet afternoon, with time to hike, shop, nap, or have a glass of wine in front of the fire. A night in a fireplace room is $225 plus tax with breakfast included.

Or, buy that special someone a gift certificate for a Romantic Getaway Package, which includes two night’s stay, gourmet dinner for two, fresh flowers, and a bottle of champagne on arrival. Prices range from $550 to $700 for the package. The value of a weekend together to relax and reconnect? Priceless!

Gift Certificates can be purchased on line or via the telephone at 800-365-5515. We’d be happy to overnight the gift certificate to you if time is short. Happy Holidays!