That’s how the web site describes the Stowe Derby.  Many of our guests here at Ten Acres Lodge like to cross country ski so this event is right up their alley.  You don’t have to be a world class skier to particpate.  The web site continues… 

The course follows the Auto Toll Road for the first 6km before briefly hooking up with existing cross country trails. The last 6km of the course are flat and follow the Stowe Recreation Path.

Choose between the freestyle or the classic race, or do both in the Derby Meister (for experts only)!!! A family friendly race is also available, the Short course. 6km of flat terrain for kids and their families and those who would rather avoid the descent…

You can check out more info at www.stowederby.com

Ten Acres is a great setting for such events and I’ve tried to use my experience to create a place that is relaxing and peaceful but also includes the basics of a conference center.  Mind you, we cater to small groups like 5-12 people so we can’t accommodate large teams.  But if you have a small group, that needs to get away, and focus on improving your team or planning for the future, Ten Acres Lodge is something you want to consider.  We offer good rates, meals, wi-fi, meeting room and more.

We love having groups here so feel free to give us a call and let us tell you how we can help.

Its that time of year again! I must admit that after three years of living here the colors still amaze me. As Mother Nature creates her rainbow of colors for the fall, people from around the world come to marvel at her art. This year we will have guests from Europe, Asia, Central America and our neighbors to the north (Otherwise known as Canada) to see the splendor of a Vermont Autumn. Of course the USA will be well represented with just about all 50 states sending visitors. Some are returning for another look at the maples producing their magic but for many, this is their first view of fall foliage. Those folks are the most fun for us as they enjoy the colors with a childlike enthusiasm. We take great pleasure in sharing this time of year with our guests.

The only problem is we end up being so busy, we rarely take in the views for ourselves. I remember our first fall here, I had to take a trip down to Burlington to pick up some supplies. Halfway there, all of a sudden, I started to notice the abundance of color scattered over the mountains. I had to pull off the road just to take it in for a moment. It is truly breathtaking…

I hope all who read this can see for themselves what is so special about a New England autumn. Make your plans soon…we’re filling up at Ten Acres and I suspect everyone else is too.

Summer means warmer temps but in Stowe, it also means car show season. Our humble little town has become a mecca for all kind of car shows. There is a Corvette car show, an Antique Car Show, classic British Car show (British invansion pictured here) and more. I wouldn’t consider myself a car expert but visiting these shows is great fun. If you’re a baby boomer, it can bring back great memories of cars you’ve seen or admired. If you’re younger…well its neat seeing all the old cars! We’re lucky here at the lodge because we are on the parade route for several of the shows. I sit on the front lawn and watch history pass by. If you’d like a unique way to spend a summer weekend, you should check these shows out. It’s a great setting with cool cars and great people. Hope to see you there!

There are many events going on this month in Stowe to celebrate Vermont Birding Month. Seminars, guided nature walks, art displays and more. Some of my Dad’s works are displayed in the Stowe Library. At Ten Acres, we will also show some films on birds in our Hill House cinema.

If you like birds or birding, come on up to Stowe and check it out.

As we start this blog, I thought it would be good to introduce ourselves. We have been the owners of Ten Acres for close to three years now. Our story is a typical one…tired of the rat race, corporate burnout, decide to buy a B&B and live the quiet life. But there is nothing quiet about owning an inn!

I will use this forum to talk about a variety of things. Life in Stowe, Vermont. Owning an Inn. Activities and fun things to do in Stowe. Interesting people we have met….and whatever else moves me!

We lived in Asia before taking on this venture…to be precise we lived in Hong Kong and then Singapore. We left a climate that was year round summer to a climate that was practically year round winter! In Asia, we lived the good life that many ex pats do. While there is much we miss, the thing we miss the most some days were the live in maids we had. As Robin has said, “I went from having a live in maid to becoming one!” Even though we have given up some neat lifestyle amenties, we have gained so much by moving to Vermont. I plan to talk about that as the weeks and months go by.

I hope you feel free to post comments, share your experiences and tell us what you’d like to know about our Inn or about Stowe.

The coming months are an exciting time here with many special events such as car shows, an international tennis touranment, festivals and more. And of course, the beautiful Vermont countryside.

So come join us…either here in the blog or at Ten Acres Lodge!