What an amazing summer for storms! Sometimes 4 and 5 in a day. Some would come from across Lake Champlain from the west. Some from the south. Some from the northwest. The drama was spectacular as it unfolded from my porch beside Mount Philo State Park with its pastoral westerly views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Let's not forget the spectacular lightning display of a week ago. It even brought my teenage son with his three friends out from behind their video game, "Call of Duty", to witness the awesome power. How's that for jaded 16 year old boys?Record rainfall. Record lake levels. Thunderstorm watches and warnings it seemed everyday for a month. Our states' moniker, The Green Mountain State, earned its deserved reputation this summer. All the different greens remind... 08/28/2008

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Shelburne VT throughout the year:10. Walking my dog up Mt Philo,9. Swimming/Tennis/Sunsets at the Charlotte Vermont Beach,8. Charlotte Land Trust/Open Spaces,,7. Charlotte Central School,6. Launching out of Point Bay Marina en routh to Basin Harbor or Whallon's Bay,5. A "Charlotter", cup of coffee with half & half and sugar, and the newspaper hanging out on the porch of The Old Brick Store,4. Sledding down Mt Philo,3. Views anytime atop Mt Philo,2. Cycling Charlotte VT back roads,1. Views from my front porch!If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate. 03/14/2008

Christmas has come early this year. I was rejoicing reading the Free Press this morning about the successful efforts of the Charlotte Land Trust to preserve 40 acres of open land west of Mount Philo, near State Park Road. A three year effort has paid off and I would like to express my deep gratitude to all who had a hand in making this preservation of important land a reality.The Charlotte Land Trust recognized two main purposes for conserving this land. The first was for the property's prime agricultural value and the second was for preserving expansive westerly viewsheds from atop Mount Philo.Who among us hasn't rejoiced in those spectacular views earned with only a short (30 min) hike to the top of Mount Philo to view the beauty of our Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain, The heart of t... 03/11/2008

Can we possibly be any luckier than we are?Living in the shadow of mighty Mount Philo, we don't even have to get into our car to reach the mother of all sledding hills.For those of you looking for the best sledding on the planet, look no further! When our glorious state park, which has won awards as Vermont's best in past years, closes its gate after the last leaves have fallen, those in the know start getting really, really itchy. There's a buzz in our house.Questions begin their annual percolation. Past year's memorable runs generate laughter and anticipation... Will we have a great snowy year? When will it snow? Remember last year, when I passed you like you were standing still? How 'bout the air off the crazy jump? When can we SCREAM on our first run of the season down the closed ro... 01/07/2008

Let's face it. My driveway in Charlotte Vermont was not designed by the Army Corps of Engineers (hmmmm or maybe it WAS...). Winter poses its challenges turning fancy schmancy SUV's into helpless sleds. In my third winter, I've learned a few tricks. But last night, our driveway claimed her first casualty of the ‘07-'08 campaign.I've known since winter one I must clear the driveway of snow early each morning in the hopes of catching the late day sun's warmth from our western exposure. Works like a charm really. When mother nature cooperates, that is.Goes like this. Snowblow driveway. Sun melts snow. Spotless driveway! Simple. That's nice! Seems easy. Right?It's not @#%$!!*&*^%#@!!!.We lost our first head to head battle last night.What seemed an innocuous snowfall of 2 wet inches the night... 01/02/2008

It's winter (though my calendar technically reminds me we have 8 days yet until her official start on the winter solstice).I miss the summer days on my front porch in Charlotte Vermont.Now, I'm forced to walk past my porch determined to get out of the biting winds. I barely allow myself to linger though in my mind I'm still there. In my mind, I remember watching the storms advancing from the west, high in the Adirondack Mts which I see clearly and up close. I see Lake Champlain. Thompson's Point. I hear the distant train whistle. Miss working on the front porch. making my phone calls, working on my laptop. My front porch became my office, my living room, my dining room, my place for a nap, my library, my place to write, to listen to music, lots of laughter, my place to chat with a frien... 12/13/2007

This is one of the most beautiful times of the year to be in Vermont. Fall colors are reaching their peak in certain areas of the state. I went for a walk up Mount Philo State Park in Charlotte to the summit with my dog today. The views of the Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains to the west are out of this world. The hike up takes no more than a half hour. For limited energy output, you receive maximum views! I would urge you to treat yourself. It will make you feel great. Let me know if you go and what you think. 11/20/2007