January's Newsletter

ATA's 2016 season runs May 20th through October 10th -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are currently taking reservations for the 2016 season Appalachian Trail Adventures (ATA) offers a distinctive adventure vacation with guided daily hiking, kayaking, and caving in the Green Mountains of Vermont that targets families and individuals who are adventurers, families, and those seeking an active vacation, including hikers who do not feel comfortable hitting the trails alone. ATA provides an affordable all-inclusive hiking or fitness vacation giving a real Vermont outdoor adventure. That's why it has the best hiking vacation at the lowest possible prices, starting at $232.00 per night, per person, including taxes and gratuities. Unlike most spas, ATA's owner John Keough is engaged daily with the guests, encouraging them on the trail and kayaking. ATA offers a variety of options to help customize one's vacation. The most common is the Hiking Vacation that consists of an air-conditioned room with three daily spa meals, snacks, a guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike and an afternoon of kayaking, an excursion or caving. Massages, yoga classes and tennis lessons are available a la carte. 2016 Hiking Vacation Rates Nightly rates are per person, including taxes and gratuity. The Hiking Vacation consists of an air conditioned room at the Summit Lodge with three daily spa meals; snacks; guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike; and an afternoon of kayaking, caving or an excursion. Massages ($75.00+), yoga classes ($30.00), tennis lessons ($70.00) are available a la carte. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Summit Lodge Long considered Killington's classic four-season resort hotel, the Summit Lodge is an ideal destination for your Vermont vacation that is why ATA has chosen it for their home base. Located in the heart of Killington, the lodge is situated high on a private knoll with magnificent views of Vermont's second highest mountain and the surrounding Green Mountains. With eleven acres and forty-five comfortable rooms, the facilities and grounds are extensive including an outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi whirlpool, saunas, weight room, five tennis courts, massage therapy, a library, two restaurants and bars, duck pond, game room, a bocci court, horseshoes and shuffleboard. A sit down breakfast and a bag lunch are supplied by the Summits chef, while dinner is served at the Foundry Restaurant. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Foundry Restaurant The Foundry Restaurant's Executive Chef Sean Miller has created a delicious spa menu for ATA hikers who are seeking healthier meals. The menu is able to cater to special dietary restrictions such as vegan, low sugar, sodium-, wheat- and dairy-free options. This enables ATA to accommodate couples, athletes, weight loss vacationers, as well as all those with no dietary restrictions who seek to eat healthily. Located on the banks of the Summit Pond, The Foundry offers a distinct year-round dining experience. In addition to the ATA hikers' menu, The Foundry offers two menu options: an American Bistro-Style menu in its formal dining room, as well as a more casual Tavern menu in the bar. Their impeccable chef-driven cuisine provides guests the finest cuts of prime meats, fresh seafood, homemade pastas and much more. They use the freshest ingredients to create mouthwatering appetizers, flavorful side dishes and irresistible desserts, designed to engage all of your senses. The Foundry experience focuses on providing un-paralleled hospitality in a warm and relaxing setting. In addition to its dining options, The Foundry offers live entertainment regularly and is host to many of the area's events. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aeolus the beagle update: Aeolus is adjusting to the off season pretty well. During Christmas week we had no snow and warm temperatures in the 40's. So I took puppy hiking, it was a 6 mile hike with about 2,000 vertical feet of climbing. He just loved running through the woods, barking when he smelled the occasional animal scent and of course peeing on everything. Go figure he slept really well that night. We stopped by the dog parks as often as we can, it's an off season treat for Aeolus. Even the other day we stopped by two dogs back to back or should I say bark to bark. He likes playing with bigger dogs, but really prefers smaller dogs in the same weight class. On Christmas Eve at 9pm Aeolus had a medical emergency. I had to rush him to the animal hospital that's 40 minutes away, good news everything turned out ok. From what I explained the veterinarian believes he had a seizer, the poor little guy lost control of his bladder, shaking, foaming at the mouth and his legs were straight out stiff. I don't believe he lost conscience and it only lasted 20 to 30 minutes but it was scary. It could be a one time thing or happen again, so only time will tell. However, he was feeling well enough on Christmas to un-wrap his own gifts. It's a sight to see tearing through the paper, I'll try and post some videos on ATA's Facebook or YouTube pages. Aeolus is named after a cave where myself and a friend dug open a blocked passage discovering the largest cave in New England back in 2000. The cave is located just north of Manchester, VT and named after the mountain, Mount Aeolus. Aeolus or Eolus (Greek: Aiolos [jjolos]), was the Custodian of the winds in Greek mythology. A minor deity, he is the son of a king called Hippotes, and lived on one of the rocky Lipara islands, close to Sicily. In the caves on this island were imprisoned the winds, and Aeolus, directed by the higher gods, let out these winds as soft breezes, gales, or whatever the higher gods wished. Being visited by the Greek hero Odysseus, Aeolus received him favorably, and on the hero's departure presented Odysseus with a bag containing all the adverse winds, so that his friend might reach Ithaca with a fair wind. Odysseus did as Aeolus bid, but in sight of his homeland, having been untroubled by foul weather, he fell asleep and his men, curious, opened the bag, thus releasing all the fierce winds, which blew their ship far off course (Odyssey X, 2; Vigil I, 52). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hiking Tip: Calories Burned Hiking The number of calories burned for an average person, achieved by hiking, for a man in one hour, he burns 517 Calories, and for a woman, she burns 444 Calories. The calories burned are based mainly on your weight, the intensity of your activity (hiking) and how long you hike. The calories burned, for an average male, weighing 190 pounds, is 603 Calories, in one hour of hiking or climbing hills carrying 0 to 9 pounds. The calories burned, for an average female, weighing 163 pounds, is 518 Calories, in one hour of hiking or climbing hills carrying 0 to 9 pounds. The average man burns 10 Calories per minute, and the average woman burns 9 Calories per minute. The calories burned, for an average male, weighing 190 pounds, is 646 Calories, in one hour of hiking or climbing hills carrying 10 to 20 pounds. The calories burned, for an average female, weighing 163 pounds, is 555 Calories, in one hour of hiking or climbing hills carrying 10 to 20 pounds. The average man burns 11 Calories per minute, and the average woman burns 9 Calories per minute. The highest number of calories burned for an average person is achieved by hiking, climbing hills and carrying more than 42 pounds. For this activity in one hour, an average man burns 776 Calories, while an average woman in one hour burns 665 Calories. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ATA's Dvd Recommendation: APPALACHIAN IMPRESSIONS: HIKING THE A.T This is an epic story about hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. The movie takes you on a 6-month, 2,173-mile journey along the most famous long-distance hiking trail in the world. Along the way, you meet hikers who have embarked on this trek, carrying everything they need on their backs. Hear their stories and experience the thrills and challenges of daily life on the trail. Covers all 14 states, the changing of the seasons, footwear, food, shelters, volunteer trail crews, and Leave No Trace Ethics. The Appalachian Trail Conference thinks "Appalachian Impressions is the best program ever produced about the Appalachian Trail." LENGTH: 126 minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Healthful Living Tips: Does Your Workout Work, Six exercises that deliver results! These six exercises deliver results whether you do them at a gym or at home. Good technique is a must for a safe, effective workout. If you're new to exercise, over 40, have a health problem, or take regular medication, check with your doctor before starting a fitness program No. 1: Walking Why it's a winner: You can walk anywhere, anytime, either on a treadmill or with no equipment other than a good pair of shoes. How to: Beginners should start by walking five to 10 minutes at a time, gradually moving up to at least 30 minutes per session. As you progress, lengthen the time of your walks before boosting your speed or incline. No. 2: Interval Training Why it's a winner: Adding interval training to your cardio workout can boost fitness, burn more calories, and help you lose weight. The basic idea: Vary the intensity of your aerobic workout to challenge your body instead of loafing in your comfort zone. How to: Push up the pace for a minute or two, then back off for 2-10 minutes, depending on the length of your workout and how much time you need to recover. Do this throughout the workout. No. 3: Squats Why it's a winner: Squats work multiple muscle groups of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteals at the same time. How to: Keep your feet shoulder width apart and your back straight. Bend your knees and lower your rear as if you were sitting down in a chair, keeping your knees over your ankles. No. 4: Lunges Why it's a winner: Like squats, lunges work all the major muscles of the lower body. Lunges also help improve your balance. How to: Take a big step forward, keeping your spine straight. Bend your front knee to approximately 90 degrees. Keep weight on your back toes and drop the back knee toward the floor but don't let it touch the floor No. 5: Push-ups Why it's a winner: Push-ups strengthen the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core muscles. How to: Face-down, place hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Place toes or knees on the floor, creating a smooth line with your body, from shoulders to knees or feet. Keeping rear-end muscles and abdominals engaged, lower and lift your body by bending and straightening your elbows, keeping your torso stable throughout the move. No. 6: Abdominal Crunches Begin by lying on your back with feet flat on the floor and palms supporting your head. Press your lower back down. Contract abdominals and raise first your head (tucking your chin slightly), then your neck, shoulders, and upper back off the floor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Healthful Living Recipe: Jalapeno Poppers The Big Game isn╞t just about the game, it╞s about the food too! Score a touchdown with your fellow fans by serving up these healthier versions on game-day with spicy peppers that get a cool down from the creamy bean-and-cheese filling in our healthier version of jalapeno poppers. Nutrition per popper is only 87 calories and will take 40 minutes total to prepare and cook. 12-18 whole fresh jalapenos 1 cup nonfat refried beans 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or extra-sharp Cheddar cheese 1 scallion, sliced 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 large eggs 1/2 cup fine cornmeal Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray Make a small slit on one side of each pepper. Place the peppers in a large microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on High until just softened, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine refried beans, cheese, scallion and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. When the peppers are cool enough to handle, scrape out the seeds with a small spoon (a 1/4-teaspoon measuring spoon works well). Fill each pepper with about 1 tablespoon of the bean filling, or until the pepper is full but not overstuffed (the amount will depend on the size of the pepper). Close the pepper around the filling. Preheat oven to 450 degress. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Place flour in a shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in another shallow dish. Combine cornmeal and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a third shallow dish. Roll each stuffed pepper in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg and let any excess drip off. Then roll in the cornmeal mixture. Place the peppers on the prepared baking sheet. Generously coat all sides of each pepper with cooking spray. Bake for 5 minutes. Turn each pepper over and continue baking until hot and the filling starts to ooze in a few spots, about 5 minutes more. Make ahead tip is to cover and refrigerate the filling for up to 1 day. Touching hot peppers can burn your hands. Wear rubber gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after handling them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ATA's Recent Press Release Vermont's premier hiking spa Appalachian Trail Adventures announces an affordable hiking and kayaking vacation for the spring, summer and fall, please visit PRWEB to read the release -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ATA's Facebook & YouTube Links ATA's Facebook page helps guests keep in touch and recommend us to their friends. Check out ATA's Facebook Page for weekly photos, videos and our YouTube Page.