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THE MORNINGSTAR CHALET
1161LITTLE POND RD
LONDONDERRY, VT 05148
Feb 23 –26, 2012
Thurs to Sun
LEADER: Eileen Greve, 35 N. Hill Dr, Westampton, NJ 08060
TRANSPORTATION: to VT is the responsibility of the participant. Directions are below. If using GPS, see address in title above.
ACCOMODATIONS: We will be staying at the Morningstar Chalet, a modern vacation home just outside the town of Londonderry, VT The house has two floors, sleeps 10 with 2 people per bedroom, has 2 full baths, modern, well equipped kitchen, satellite TV, stereo, etc. On the second floor large windows and a deck overlook the woods across the street. We will arrive on Thurs and leave on Sunday. MEALS: Leader will provide breakfast and dinner.Breakfast foods. This will include fruit, juice, hot and cold cereals, milk, eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, coffee cake or muffins, coffee and tea, hot chocolate. Dinners: Leader will provide food for 3 dinners, cost included. Participants will be assigned to cook or clean-up. (I’ll try to keep preparation simple). J Please let leader know if you are vegetarian or have other dietary concerns. Participants are responsible for their own lunches. The chalet has a fully equipped (but small) kitchen. And there are 2 refrigerators, one is on first floor. There is a good size supermarket in town, about 2 miles. Bring own beer, wine, and soft drinks. EQUIPMENT: Daypack, at least two 1 liter water bottles, thermos (optional), adequate layers for cold weather (polypro, wool, fleece, NO cotton!). skiis, snowshoes, ice skates, waterproof, warm boots or snowpack boots for use with snowshoes. Washer and dryer available – bring own laundry detergent. RENTALS: Skis at X/C centers, but can only be used there. Skis and snowshoes can be rented from EMS in Manchester, VT. SKIING: This trip is appropriate for all skill levels. The closest X/C centers are Viking X/C center, within walk/ski distance or Wild Wings, a 10 minute drive. (Wild Wings has an interesting policy – you may ski 4 hrs either in the morning or the afternoon for a half day rate. In 2011 this was $14 and full day was $17. Viking has a senior rate of $14 at age 60 – in 2011). Other centers include Grafton Pond, Mountain Top, and Mountain Meadows (one hour drive). Off track/backcountry in nearby Green Mountain National Forest on woods roads and trails including the Catamount. SNOWSHOEING: Wide variety in national forest including Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, Catamount Trail. Spruce, Styles, Stratton, and Bromley mountains for peak bagging. Bring own snowshoes or rent at EMS in Manchester. ICE SKATING: Nearby lake within walking distance. Also the Riley Rink (indoors) in Manchester. COST: Approx $100 pp including 3 nights lodging with breakfasts and dinners, if I can sign up 10 people. If less than that, the cost will increase as I need to cover the cost of the rental. $90 deposit to hold your place. In case you need to cancel, a full refund with 30 days notice (by Jan 3). After that, deposit may be forfeited. Full payment by Jan 1, please. Please send deposit by check made out to leader : Eileen Greve, 35 N. Hill Dr,Westampton, NJ 08060. Phone cell: 609 204-6451 PHONE NUMBER AT HOUSE: to leave with concerned others 802 824-3025 ABOUT YOUR CAR: please be sure your car is prepared for cold weather – a good battery, windshield wipers, tires. Bring jumper cables, a shovel, kitty litter for traction, and use “dry gas” when you fill up – prevents gas line freezing. Carpooling is encouraged because parking space is limited. DIRECTIONS: As of 2011, this is changed (in red) from previous years. From NJ: I take the NJ Turnpike to Garden State Parkway, to end, merge with 287 N, soon flows into 87 N (New York Thruway) North toward Albany. From there: · Take exit 23 off I-87 NY Thruway toward downtown Albany. You will be on Rt 787. Go approx 8.5 miles· From Rt 787 take exit 8, follow signs to Rt 2 East. This will skirt the south edge of the city of Troy and avoid most of the heavy traffic one finds going on Rt 7 thru the city. Anyway, stay on Rt 2 and soon you will leave the city and be on a pleasant country road. Total distance to travel on Rt 2 approx 7.5 miles.· From Rt 2 turn left onto Rt 278 North. Go 1.4 miles to a traffic light.· Turn right onto NY Rt 7 east. From here go 20 miles on Rt 7. to a blinking light. · About here you cross the NY/VT border. Stay straight and Rt 7 becomes Rt 279. This is a by-pass around Bennington . If you need gas or want to go into Bennington you’ll need to turn right onto Rt 9 and proceed several miles to the town.· If you enter Bennington, you turn left, then right passing some large homes (estates?), then go downhill into the town. Turn left at the second light, go several blocks to end and turn left. You’ll still be following NY7. If you want to eat in Bennington, try Jensen’s located on your left after this last turn, or Blue Benn (take a right instead of a left, and its on your right.)· If you have taken the bypass (Rt 279) follow it for 5 miles and it ends and merges into Rt 7 north. · Continue on VT 7 north (it becomes a major highway) for 22 miles to exit 4 for Manchester.· Turn right onto Rtes 30/11, and stay straight on this road to follow Rte 11 for 14 miles to Londonderry. Go through the town , past the blinking yellow light, and over a bridge. Look for the sign for Viking X/C Ski center (sign on right, turn left onto Little Pond Road)· Go 1.2 miles. House is on left. It’s brown, 2 story with an upper deck and a semi-circular driveway with 3 large pine trees in the circle. On edge of deck are letters and numbers “MORGAN 1161” . Enter the house thru the door on left under deck. Please do not block the garage door, or try to enter the door just to the left of the garage. Driving distance from Mt Holly, NJ is 295 miles. Driving time is 5 and a half hours.
- ON THE RETURN - From Londonderry go back Rte 11 toward Manchester.
· Before you get to the town you will see signs for Rt 7 south. Turn is on your right just after the overpass. · Go 22 miles to exit 1, a right turn for Rt 279. · Go 5 miles to blinking light. · Stay straight to continue on Rt 7, then another 20 miles from the blinking light to a traffic light (look for a yard with some new, bright orange heavy machinery and bulldozers on your right at this light)· Turn left onto Rt 278 South. Go 1.4 miles· Turn right at traffic light onto Rt 2 and follow into Troy, approx 7.5 miles.· You will go over a large bridge (the Hudson River) and then turn right following signs for Rt 787. At the next traffic light, 23rd St, turn right again. I almost missed this turn, you don’t see the sign until after you’ve turned, but just after this you come onto Rt 787 South. · Rt 787 South is a major highway and takes you out to the New York Thruway/Rt 87 South. |