About Chittenden County, VT

These photos are from my Labor Day Monday kayaking trip. A friend and I met for breakfast at one of my favorite breakfast places and were fortunate enough to even have outdoor seating. It was such a beautiful day to be alive and to be outdoors in beautiful, wonderful Vermont.

We paddled for 4 1/2 hours doing a loop and a half around the 743 acre reservoir. I'm not sure of the mileage, but it sure was a good workout as the afternoon got sort of windy and there were lots of waves. Kayaking on a reservoir is a lot different than kayaking on a river because you have to work harder versus moving with the current. The waves really added a nice element to the workout as the reservoir is situated between the mountains and gets some good winds. There were even a few times when waves lapped over the top of the kayak.

You can see some of the Pico ski trails in this photo. The tip of the sailboat is pointing right up at them.

What a beautiful day! Here I am...

Here is a picture of someone we passed who was out with his pooch for the afternoon - I want to do that with my dogs!

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 reminded me of that great Johnny Cash tune, "40 Shades of Green." If you haven't heard it here you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0oTDS9ur_U

We are in the tail end of summer now. My daughter started high school today. Heavens. Onward we go.I'm hoping September and October are the longest stretch of Indian Summer weather in Vermont's history! And I'm betting there's another 650,000 people who would agree with me.If you have your own summer storm stories, please share them and post them here.

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington Vermont Real Estate.

It's that time of year for mad purchasing for dorm rooms. The have to have's in what's hip in the latest clothing. Haircuts. The University Bookstore. Meeting so many new faces, getting settled and all the rest...

Burlington is a great location for purchasing an investment property for your son or daughter and recouping your investment when they graduate. I have worked with parents/families over the years to find just the right property.

Read this recent testimonial:

"My husband and I live out of state in Connecticut and our son attends the University of Vermont. During our first visit to Burlington Vermont, we fell in love with the area and decided it would be a good place to purchase an investment property. At that time, we knew basically nothing about the area and by sheer luck became connected to Chris Hurd when we Google searched for a realtor who could represent us. Chris was sensitive to our many concerns about purchasing and renting a property from out of state. He realized we needed to proceed cautiously. He quickly understood our wants and needs and found properties that we liked and would require very little maintenance. We did not have time to waste and Chris was very efficient and thorough. Chris is an extremely ethical and responsible person and my husband and I would highly recommend him as your realtor. We found Chris to be a genuine person who filled all our needs and requirements."

Stan & Nancy Mikrut - Southbury,

Read the following recent remark from the National Association of Realtors:

"VERMONT AT THE TOP OF SALES RECOVERY. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun reported last week at the Annual Leadership Summit in Chicago that Vermont is in the top ten states for sales recovery. "

I have lived in the Burlington area for over 29 years. Burlington Vermont is a great community. Full of cultural activities, shopping, great restaurants, nationally recognized educational institutions with all the qualities that only Vermont can offer set on the shores of lovely Lake Champlain.

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com with your inquiries about purchasing an investment property in this great city.

Post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington Vermont Real Estate.

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do on Lake Champlain throughout the year:

10. Ice skating,

9. North Beach in Burlington for the day and an evening cookout,

8. Taking any of the Lake Champlain Ferries to catch a sunset or watch the full moon rise or both,

7. Wish List item...Owning a home on Lake Champlain,

6. Jumping off the back of my boat yelling with joy on a hot day in the middle of Lake Champlain,

5. Renting a boat or taking sailing lessons at the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center in Burlington,

4. Going to Basin Harbor passing Cathedral Rocks by boat for dinner,

3. Watching summer storms advance out of the Adirondack Mts across the lake from behind the Coast Guard Station in Burlington,

2. July 4th festivities and fireworks over the Lake Champlain from Waterfront Park in Burlington,

1. Hanging out in my boat, reading a book or listening to the Red Sox, drifting along with no particular place to go.

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list of favorite things to do on Lake Champlain, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

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.