Three sports, four days: Collective popular demand will dictate how we may move today. Below are a few of the destinations available. If kayaking we may visit Lake Brome's Quilliam's Marsh (the finest in Southern Quebec), if biking visit the covered bridge capital of America (Montgomery, Vermont) and if hiking/walking visit Mount Pisgah (the Switzerland of Vermont) and Orford National Park near Magog, Quebec (followed, for the walkers, by a visit to The Benedictine Abbey in St. Benoit du Lac).
At the Lodge.
Gather on the porch to get the map of the day for our 9:00 a.m. departure. The group choice may head us to one of the following: Hikers: Mt. Pisgah, the Switzerland of Vermont, lies in the famed Northeast Kingdom and is about 50 minutes from the Lodge. Stunning overlooks of 1,000' cliffs make this day very special. This was the first site in Vermont to which the peregrine falcon returned after the DDT crisis of the 60s. Walkers: Orford National Park. Part of the Canadian Trail (you can walk East to the Atlantic, West to the Pacific or North to the Arctic Ocean). We walk today on a lakeside trail with 2 overlooks (elevation gain a few hundred feet). Bikers: Ride to The Abbey (a country bar/restaurant in N. Vermont). Access for some on a Rails-To-Trails path after an easy start (long downhill) and a rolling river valley road. If more ambitious various options out of the valley involve light grunting and easy laughs as the destination nears. Lunch by the park fountain in Enosburg Falls. Kayakers: The Quilliam's Marsh on Lake Brome is a jewel just off Lake Brome. After a half mile paddle along the shore we enter the splendour of Quebec's most enchanting marsh: wild rice, black ducks, herons, countless birds, sunning turtles, perhaps an eagle.
Meet for a bag lunch a pre-designated spot (on the summit, back at the lodge or by the lake).
Outdoor activities continue. Hikers: Another 90 minutes or so will have us off the mountain. Level of hike: Intermediate. Walkers: We follow Orford Park with a visit to the Benedictine Monastery in St. Benoit du Lac...Level of hike: intermediate. Bikers: More Rail Trail to day's end at the Abbey or, if full of beans, back to the high country to ensure a good night's sleep and then close the day down over a cool one at the Abbey. Kayakers: We return to our start point for lunch. Options now abound: tour Millionaire's Row, the Hardy Boys hideaway and end with a traverse to the Marina's Tiki Bar. Two more boating hours in Lac Brome, along Peacock Alley (fancy real estate best seen from the water), and on to the Tikka Bar to end the day in the "Northern Caribbean".
Dinner at 6 pm. Drinks before dinner if so desired. The lodge is a B.Y.O.B establishment. Alcoholic beverages are not served on-site but participants are welcome to bring their own.
Free evening. Each week has one free evening where guests can sample our world-class movie collection, play bridge, or sample some local theatre.