|
 TM
Smugglers' Notch Vermont
Away From the Pollution
Article by Norm Goldman
Art Work by Lily Azerad-Goldman
 No smog, no pollution and an
abundance of fun, isn’t that what you want when you plan a vacation?
Look no further than the majestic
corner of Vermont known as
Smugglers' Notch Area or as the locals like to call it “Smuggs.”
Just driving along The Smuggler’s
Notch Scenic Highway (SR 108) and observing the misty light filtering
through the trees is sufficient to beckon you to park your car and meander
about.
For nature lovers and artists this
truly is a treasure. If there were such a place as heaven on earth,
Smugglers would qualify.
 A word of caution, however, don’t
leave go of the steering wheel as you wind your way around the large
boulders that protrude onto the narrow passageway.
It can be hair-raising! Oh yes, I
forgot to tell you, watch out for the ghosts of the past.
Legend tells us that the Notch
derived its name as far back as the early 1800’s, when President Thomas
Jefferson prohibited trade with Britain.
Vermonters were up in arms when they
were told that trading with the British would no longer be tolerated.
Their livelihood depended on
importing silks and drugs from Montreal.
What were they to do? Of course,
smuggle and hide the contraband within the caves of the Notch.
Apparently, many years later, during
the era of prohibition, the Notch was used as a storage place for smuggled
liquor.
As you drive through the Notch you
will notice some parking spaces.
Park your car and explore the flora
and fauna. You won’t be sorry.
Who knows, maybe you will find some
of the hidden booty?
Just bear in mind that during the
winter, part of the highway is closed.
If you were planning to vacation a
few days in the area, a good suggestion would be to stay at the
Smugglers' Notch Resort. This certainly can be your home base and
jumping off point and will also provide endless hours of activities.
This resort is located in an area
known as “the quiet side of the Mountain,” and has been in existence since
1956.
It has been classified, and
rightfully so, as one of the best family resorts in North America.
Moreover, the resort is a leader in
practising superior environmental stewardship and responsible business
ethics.
The “mommy I am bored” syndrome is
not part of its vocabulary.
In fact, the resort is supposedly
the only one in North America to guarantee family fun.
Their policy is that if any member
of a family participates in one or more of their programs and doesn’t have
fun; they will refund the entire program portion of that family’s member
stay.
It is difficult not to have fun.
You can hike, bike, fish, golf, canoe, swim, kayak, ski, snowboard, tennis,
waterslide, volleyball, dance, and participate in endless activities within
a three thousand acre playground.
You name the sport or activity, and
for the most part, they can accommodate you and all members of your family.
During the summer you will discover
8 pools and 3 waterslides with splash pools.
The winter season is the time to ski
or perhaps learn to ski on one of the 3 interconnected mountains.
If you prefer, you can try
snowboarding within one of the resort’s designated facilities.
On a more serious note, we all know
how a multitude of recreational activities can sometimes play havoc with our
environment.
Realizing this danger, Smugglers’
Notch Resort has made a concerted effort to become a responsible corporate
citizen in matters related to its surroundings.
As a result, the management is
continuously collaborating and consulting with researchers, scientists, and
staff from Vermont’s Agency of National Resources.
They have even hired a full time
environmental manager. Something you would rarely find at many other
resorts.
In 1998 Smugglers Notch Resort
received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for various
innovations, such as the use of the most efficient compressors for
snowmaking, recycling of construction scrap material, adhering to Vermont’s
Five Star specifications when related to building, and using live bullhead
catfish as part of the sewage treatment process. The latter is certainly
innovative!
The resort is also very keen on
demonstrating to visitors and guests the extent it practices good
environmental behaviour.
This is evidenced by the many
children and adults’ environmental sensitivity activities it organizes in
and around the resort’s complex.
Their main objective, according to
the management, is “to raise the environmental awareness of guests and
employees, and to broaden their knowledge of environmental efforts through
their educational programs.”
In addition, by respecting nature,
the resort is able to provide artists with a pollution free environment.
No doubt, the surrounding mysterious
forests and towering mountains provide an endless source of inspiration.
However, if the fauna and flora were
to be destroyed, this stimulus would be non-existent.
Programs, such as the “Artists in
the Mountains,” offered by the resort, would find it difficult to attract
participants.
After all, who would want to draw,
paint, watercolor, or participate in anything, if you are surrounded with
pollution?
All of the fun of the vacation would
be lost.
Welcome to a State and a vacation
Resort that cares!
Smugglers' Notch Resort
Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
Tel: 1-800-451-8752
For more information concerning
the area you may refer to the following sites:
Driving Directions to Smugglers
Weather
Smugglers' Notch State Park
Sites Worth Visiting
The Environment and Ski Vermont
Back to
TravelLady Magazine |