(1) Friday night Killam School auction was a success. They wanted at least 30k, hoped for 50k and got 60+. This will allow them to outfit all the class rooms with smartboards. These things are neat - originally developed for military planning, they allow interactive teaching/activities between computer and the projected images/writing. The event was held at the local golf club and the vibe was definitely a less dressy 80's high school prom. For our cash, we got a couple hundred bucks worth of restaurant and daycare gift certificated and the big item, Maddy gets to be principal for one day.
(2) Saturday morning up early and headed towards Manchester, VT. Snow was coming down at a steady rate. the main problem is there is no direct route between Boston and Manchester. So you go northwest, then due south then due west or you go due west, due north then due west again. We adventured off highway to take the straight route. Thank god for four wheel drive as the pot holes and semi-cleared roads were crazy. Indirect route recommended, lesson learned.
(3) Arrived in Manchester around noon. Before check in time, we hit the outlets - armani, orvis, banana republic. Spending exceeded auction donations and we only got out alive because Bose doesn't offer a HD DVD player (even though we don't have a hd tv).
(4) Checked into the the equinox. Once again, disappointed. Room was much nicer than before, but they are under a major renovation. This meant that the bar (really tavern) was closed and anytime you wanted to go anywhere int he hotel, you had to go outside. Plus service was very weal.
(5) Early dinner at candeleros. Last time we were in Manchester, Liz ended up on the e-mail list so we had coupons. Plus excellent mole, red and green sauce and all-star tequila list.
(6) After dinner, headed over to northshire/ for coffee and to browse bookstore. Top 5 bookstore in New England and possibly the country. Easy to lose hours in the place as it ranges across four floors and numerous rooms. It's superstore size, but small business vibe/management. Also, guy who produced Family ties was reading from his memoirs (OK, not a high point for us or him - sit ubu sit).
(7) Did I mention that despite constant snow fall, there was not consistent snow on the ground (on the mountains plenty of snow). So the XC skis stayed in the crv, we packed snacks and headed up Equinox Mountain early Sunday. Put on the snowshoes after half an hour. This is also where we realized we had forgotten the camera, yet again. After climbing 1600 feet (1200 feet to go) we stopped for a snack. By this point, we had shed all our layers and where dripping sweat. I made fun of Liz for pointing out the trail was double black diamond but she was right. I checked my blackberry and had text messages from my friend Jason who was staying at the equinox with his family and had sent us a bottle of champagne the night before. He was leaving early and couldn't make dinner but did we want to meet for beers. Given the mountain was clouded over, our legs were sore and we like beer, we headed down and an hour later, we were back at civilization.
(8) Lunch at Mulligans with Jason. Two high lights The 24-ounce mug ("Vermont" size) of Long Trail. The Gorgon-zilla burger - Kobe beef burger with Gorgonzola cheese and bacon. While Long Trail is always good, Kobe beef burgers are inconsistent. This was one of the best, with only Bonfire in Boston and Capital Grille in the same class.
(9) After some time in the hot tub, we headed over to the perfect wife for dinner. We discovered this place as the only affordable eats in town as well as a great bar. Unfortunately, they are closed on Sundays (and Mondays too). So we headed back to Candeleros. This allowed me to hit the Tequila sampler. Same idea as a beer sampler, but with 4 shots of anejo tequila instead. I had fun and highly recommend.
(10) Monday morning, we checked out and headed north. Checked out Rutland, which has a new mall and super center concentration but down town seemed hopping. Unfortunately, cool artisan store closed on Mondays. But our real goal was the long trail brewery outside Woodstock. This time a beer sampler which is now 8 rather than 6 little glasses. Some sandwiches, a t-shirt and a case of Coffee Stout (featuring the wrong but upside down labels), we were headed back to Reading to celebrate St. Paddy's day and more importantly, my Dad's 65th birthday (free health care! welcome to the system, old man).
(Bonus) Another high light of the trip was Love is a mixtape that we listened to on cd in the car. The story of guys who fall in love with a smart woman who loves baseball and music, gets her to fall in love with him and still lose (no spoilers) hits just a little close to home for me. A true story, with great taste in music (his favorite bar band is the hold steady), you'll get the vibe and probably the music references too. We had attempted an Augusten Burroughs book but after one chapter, I wasn't in the mood. But this book turned out to be a good love story for Gen Xers like us. We laughed, we cried, it was better than cats.
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