Fred Slenzo's cool weekend in Vermont

Mid-afternoon Clydesdale horse-driven sleigh ride at Mountain Top Inn & Resort in Chittenden, Vermont. Photos by Charlene Peters

But ... chihuahua in a ditch? No way! That rumor running around the Inn our first night was not true! It wasn’t me, but Frank who caught a glance at a nearby cross-country skier and ran off the road. Before my master could calmly warn him without grabbing the steering wheel personally, which would not have been received well -- we toppled nearly on our side along the road. As the wheels spun on the four-wheel drive vehicle, I sat and wondered how we were so close to Woodlands, our chalet, yet so far? One call made by my master and we were being chain-dragged backward out of the snow ditch. Although later that evening, rumors surfaced about an elk distraction, that was only talk from an embarrassed driver who tried a bit of humor to lighten the moment.

As we headed in to unpack, we soon discovered we were not alone in our chalet. Woodlands adjoins another chalet -- one shared with two dogs and two sets of owners – there'll be a lot of communication between us.

 

January is the perfect time to visit Chittenden, Vermont. Snow is everywhere for dogs who enjoy cross-country skiing alongside their master, or watching other dogs at work at the dog-sledding activity, or even better -- watching the Clydesdale horses work the sleigh for rides. (A full-day pass for use of trails, skating rink and sledding hill is $20, and discounted for juniors and seniors -- children under 6 get in free!)

 

According to my master and Frank, who left me locked in the kitchen almost as soon as we arrived -- the best activity is the guided snowmobile tour ($60). My master talked of snowmobiling for the first time, and that it was exhilarating, to say the least -- she said it was kind of like jet-skiing, but drier, with hand warmers on the handlebars -- and with the helmet she had to wear to protect her head from the cold, wind and snow, she felt like an astronaut.

 

She kept on raving about how nighttime snowmobiling was beautiful, romantic and an adrenalin rush. And apparently, everyone should try this at least once. Forty minutes is not too risky, but plenty of time to have a lot of fun trying!

 

No sooner did they get back to relieve me from my locked-in status -- that they left for dinner in the Dining Room. They were not gone that long, thankfully, but I got a good smell of what they ate, and if that didn't make me crazed with want, they kept talking about how wonderful the meal was -- non-stop! Here's what I heard, "Dinner in the dining room proved fabulous, and Frank’s Frenched rack of  veal looked much like the antler chandeliers that reminded me of Beauty and the Beast -- in a wildebeest sort of way." Oh, and I heard you should try the nut and fruit salad, and the sea bass.

 

Next morning, they locked me in again, but this time I escaped and got to wait for them at the top of the stairs while they enjoyed a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, granola and yogurt, and muffin treats.

 

They came back for me and took me outside, but I decided it was just too cold for my poor paws, that froze in 8 degree weather, and neither my master nor I were in the mood to cross country ski. We stayed inside for the day, in front of a toasty fire looking out at birch trees and mountains covered in fresh snow – nice. Champagne from Domaine Chandon and a bag of potato chips – even better. I got the crumbs and my own special treat, milk bones, courtesy of Mountain Top Inn.

 

A few movies later and we headed to check out the lodge for cookies and cocoa, and where I heard President Eisenhower once stayed. Today, his room is called "Ikes’ View," and across from him is Mimi’s View, although she never saw the view, as she was never a visitor to the lodge... but Jennifer Aniston was once a visitor, and there’s a picture posted on the lodge hallway wall to prove it. She was attending a wedding with then beau before Brad, Tate Donovan, who is rumored to be from Vermont, and whose family lives in the area.

 

The history of the lodge dates back to the 1800s, and two fires and a handful of owners later, a major renovation and call to locals to visit got the place hopping again. Or maybe it's the lure from Bailey, the new dog on the scene. Dogs are everywhere because owners don't usually like to part with their pooch. So, for $25 extra a night, you can bring Fido and enjoy a Clydesdale Horse-driven sleigh ride through the evening winter wonderland, covered in blankets like we were in the 8 degree evening temperature. The beauty of the horses, Pat and Mike, against the snow-covered mountains was worth the bone-chill, and heading back to our lodge, we immediately lit a fire to warm up before I was once again locked in so that my master and Frank could go to dinner at the Tavern.