Mad River Valley Archives - Happy Vermont

Mad River Valley

  • Podcast: Turnpikes, Toll Roads and Historic Routes
    Podcast: Turnpikes, Toll Roads and Historic Routes

    Driving west on Route 17, the road’s pitch starts to noticeably change as it rounds past Mad River Glen and climbs to an elevation of 2,375 feet in Buel’s Gore. The area, known as the “App Gap,” is also referred to as the McCullough Turnpike—a...

  • The Joys and Challenges of Running a Country Store
    The Joys and Challenges of Running a Country Store

    At the Warren Store in Vermont's Mad River Valley, you can find everything from fine wine, hot cider, and deli sandwiches to silver earrings, leather bags, and CBD products. Running a general store means juggling many tasks at once—tracking inventory, running a cash register, posting on...

  • 6 Vermont Swimming Holes to Explore This Summer
    6 Vermont Swimming Holes to Explore This Summer

    Vermont swimming holes hold a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors. If you’re looking for a place to jump off rocks or wade in shallow waters, you'll find dozens of scenic swimming holes in Vermont. For centuries, Vermont swimming holes have drawn visitors...

  • The Spring Tradition of Pond Skimming at Ski Areas
    The Spring Tradition of Pond Skimming at Ski Areas

    **Update: March 14, 2020 - Due to the coronavirus, many ski areas around Vermont are closing early for the season.  Pond skimming competitions are a rite-of-spring in ski culture. Between March and May, ski areas across the world celebrate the end of the season with skiers and snowboarders gliding...

  • A Quirky Spirit of Independence at the Warren July 4th Parade
    A Quirky Spirit of Independence at the Warren July 4th Parade

    The Warren July 4th parade along Main Street celebrates independence with a twist. Now in its 67th year, this small-town parade has achieved legendary status in Vermont. This is by far my favorite Independence Day celebration in Vermont. In addition to the classic cars, lively performers...

  • A Year After Irene: Bridge Street in Waitsfield
    A Year After Irene: Bridge Street in Waitsfield

    [caption id="attachment_799" align="aligncenter" width="720"] The Mad River and the Village Bridge in Waitsfield.[/caption] When Tropical Storm Irene tore through Vermont last August, some of the towns hardest hit included communities along Route 100. From Wilmington to Waterbury, the damage was devastating – rain and flooding washed...

  • Leaf-Peeping as a Local in the Mad River Valley
    Leaf-Peeping as a Local in the Mad River Valley

    Dave, Phoebe and I took a ride to Vermont's Mad River Valley on Saturday. We hadn't done much leaf-peeping this fall, so we were looking forward to enjoying some foliage over the weekend. We traveled south on Route 100 and meandered along some back roads in...

  • Fall Foliage in the Mad River Valley
    Fall Foliage in the Mad River Valley

    The Mad River Valley is always a perfect place to enjoy fall foliage. During the fall, the hillsides in this scenic area of central Vermont are particularly bright with shades of red, orange and gold. I typically drive along the back roads of Waitsfield, Warren and...

  • Village Bridge in Waitsfield

    The Village Bridge in Waitsfield is one of my favorite covered bridges in Vermont. The bridge, built in 1833 and restored in the 1970s, spans the Mad River. This is one of the oldest covered bridges in Vermont and includes a pedestrian walkway. Vermont has about...

  • Vermont Winter Scenes

    [caption id="attachment_2248" align="aligncenter" width="929"] Lincoln Peak in Warren.[/caption]   Icy branches in Waitsfield. Mount Mansfield (photo taken in Jericho, Vermont)....