I had the great opportunity to spend the weekend in Stowe, Vermont with my old college bestie. While on the plane there I heard Taylor Swift’s, “I don’t know about you but I’m feeling 22….” floating through my head. My friend, Liza, is one of those people that I can pick up with after any amount of time and always have something to talk about. This weekend was no exception and we had a great time. She wanted to show me everything Stowe had to offer in the summer.
Friday night we had a great dinner and caught up on kids and husbands etc. Had a few glasses of wine and reminisced.
She thinks I am a crazy exerciser (wonder why?) so she planned lots of great activities. First up, Saturday morning we took a gorgeous hike up Mansfield Mountain on the Sterling Pond Trail. It was more strenuous than I thought and very steep. On a beautiful mid seventies day it was perfect and idyllic.
It took us about 1 1/2 hours to hike up. When we got to the top, we were rewarded with this view.
Absolutely breathtaking and well work the huffing and puffing to get there. We saw some crazy barefoot hikers along the way-is that a thing? They looked ridiculous. We followed that up by a nice wine and cheese lunch. The CHEESE is so good there. My cholesterol for sure went up this weekend.
Sunday morning we were off for another adventure-a long run through the beautiful paths around the town of Stowe. We headed out for an 8 mile run. I was stunned by the natural beauty of the surroundings. 
There was a creek running alongside the path with beautiful flowers, trees and birds. I actually stopped to look around a few times and take pictures which I never do at home. It was a little warmer today but with the lower humidity, it was perfect conditions for me. There were numerous wooden bridges crossing the creek that made a rattling, vibrating sound as you ran across them. I loved running so far away from cars and crowded paths. It’s a whole different experience all together. The 8 miles flew by.
We followed that up with a little shopping and a spa day with deep tissue massages. Doesn’t get much better than that until we had the pizza yum!
On the last day, we got up early and headed to the small local gym for a trio of classes. We started with a “Kranking” class. My first time doing this. Interesting concept kind of a spin class for your arms on one of these contraptions:
I thought my arms were strong but this was one tough workout. There is a definite learning curve I am sure. Our instructor looked like a typical Vermont native who really didn’t get why I wanted to take pics. We followed that up with a spin class and a “body pump” style class. I was feeling good and starving!
I couldn’t leave Vermont without a trip to the Ben & Jerry’s factory! We did a 20 minute tour of the factory where everyone is very happy and smiley.
Lucky for me they were sampling cookies and cream that day!
Ok so maybe I wasn’t quite feeling “22” but it was an amazing weekend packed with lots of physical activity, eating, wine and great company. I can’t wait to go back for another girls’ weekend.
Where is the most beautiful place you’ve run recently? Have you ever done a Kranking class?
Wow, that is one heavy workout vacation! I think I’d love to try Kranking – I hate spin but mainly because it hurts my bottom. I’d never heard of Kranking before this post! And that is a gorgeous 8 mile run! Glad you made it to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory — the whole thing sounds like a dream weekend 🙂
It was a great weekend. Kranking was harder than it looks my arms were killing me! Ben and Jerry’s was nice ending to a great weekend.
How fun! My best friend in college is from Vermont and just moved back up there. I haven’t had time to visit yet, but I heard it’s gorgeous!
I hope you get to go visit too it was beautiful
This vacation looks like a blast! I especially love the stop at Ben and Jerry’s #wowlinkup
The ice cream was a nice finish to a great weekend!
I have heard Stowe really is incredible. I would probably die in a Krank class–I’ll go for a hike instead! The last time I really truly went on a hike was when I was in high school, and it was in Kauai, so I can say that my last was certainly a high note!
It really was so beautiful and quaint I can’t wait to go back. I almost died in Krank class too. I imagine there is a learning curve.
I LOVE Stowe! It’s been forever since I’ve been to Vermont. Your weekend sounds amazing especially that cookie and ice cream sampling. 🙂
The ice cream was a nice finish to a great weekend. It’s fun to see the factory.
Looks like so much fun!!! Take me with you next time!! XOXO Laurie~ #wowlinkup
Sure anytime!
Awww looks like a wonderful weekend! It is so special when you have those friends where it is never awkward no matter how much time goes by. I cherish those friends in England 🙂 I am not sure how I feel about Kranking haha, not really my kinda thing, but good for trying out something new 🙂 SO jealous of your B&J! YUM!
It is nice to have friends like that! You can come visit me anytime. Kranking was different and hard.
Kranking – I have never heard of that. Barefoot hiking on the other hand, heard of it but would not want to do it. I would cut my foot or step on a snake… that’s my luck.
If I knew my daughter would be staying in New England after college, I would move to VT or NH right now. I think VT is the more beautiful place. I love how is seams like there are streams everywhere! It’s a breathtaking state.
This seemed like a prefect trip with your friend. Thanks for sharing!
Ahh I almost forgot –
“Our instructor looked like a typical Vermont native who really didn’t get why I wanted to take pics. ”
HYSTERICAL! (and so true)
He was what I call a “crunchy granola bar”
The streams are so beautiful. It made the miles fly by just to look at the scenery. Kranking was different probably wouldn’t seek it out but fun to do something different.
I love hiking in Vermont. It’s so pretty there. We visit B&J’s a few years ago. Worth the trip when you are burrnig off those calories. #wowlinkup
absolutely! For some reason it just tasted better there-LOL
So jealous of the B&J trip!!! They only sampled on flavor though?!
They do only sample one flavor each day but there is also a store where you can get what ever you want. The smell of the waffle cones almost got me-mmmm
What an awesome (and healthy) little getaway! I’ve never been to Vermont but it looks gorgeous!
It was really beautiful. I’m so glad that I got to run there. It made the miles fly by.
I love Vermont! And you are absolutely right – no trip to Vermont is complete unless Ben and Jerry’s is consumed!
The ice cream is everywhere-I’m surprised I held out that long.
Never heard of cranking…interesting! I grew up in NH, I miss the beautiful scenery! Looks like you had a great time!
I didn’t know you were from NH. It really is gorgeous up there and beautiful weather. I’m not sure I like Kranking but it was fun to do something different. It is harder than you would think.
You should check out Kranking if you ever see it-it’s a tough workout!
What a fun weekend! I love catching up with dear friends. I’ve never heard of kranking…. I bet my arms would be sore for days!
It was really harder than you would think. Not sure I liked it but it was fun to do something different.
I’ve never tried Kranking but your vacay looks like a blast. I love spending time with old friends, especially when you can pick up right where you last left off like no time has past!
It’s definitely a different workout and I am sure it takes a few classes to figure it out. Not sure I liked it but fun to do something different.
What a beautiful weekend! I love that you mixed the great outdoors with the local food treats- that is the best way to travel- when you add an old friend to the mix, it is perfect! I have never heard of the kranking class- sounds tough!
It was a great weekend and that class was harder than I thought! Fun to do something different.
So fun! Thanks for sharing your weeekend with us and the pictures were awesome. Too bad you couldn’t bring enough ice cream back for us too… 🙂 #wowlinkup
Yes my son said the same thing about the ice cream-LOL
Wow, what a beautiful place! I went to Vermont when I was 9–and I think I’m long overdue for a trip back. One of the most beautiful places I’ve run recently is my trip to Door County Wisconsin last weekend. Simply breathtaking scenery. I’ve been going there since I was a little girl, but I find that I appreciate it more than ever!
I’ve never been to Wisconsin-looks beautiful as well.
I sooooo would not be able to go to that B&J Factory. I would lose my mind. I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice cream – you hear me????????????? Absolutely LOVE IT! The scenery there in Vermont is gorgeous too!!!! Barefoot hiking? 1 word – CRAZY! LOL #wowlinkup
you would have died if you smelled the waffle cones they were making! It almost got me-I had to use lot of will power.
Wow, sounds like my perfect vacation! Exercise, wine, cheese and a massage equals happiness 🙂 glad you had a great time. Hmmm, not so sure about the kranking class. I think I’d rather work my arms in a different way.
It was a great trip and lots of exercising. I’m not so sure that I liked the kranking class either but it was fun to do something different.