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Winter Skiing Re-cap

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  This winter was, without a doubt, the BEST we’ve had in a long time—at least for those of us who love being on skis (sorry to the winter skeptics out there!). Volunteering with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports made the season fly by. I spent most weeks out on the mountain 2–3 days teaching adaptive skiing, and it’s been incredibly rewarding. I first started teaching at Mount Ascutney back in 1987 alongside Laura Farrell, the founder of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports. Even during the years I stepped away from skiing, I stayed connected by helping with special events. Three years ago, I returned to the slopes—and I haven’t looked back. These days, Pico is my home mountain, where Vermont Adaptive is based. It’s amazing to see how much the program has grown—now offering year-round recreation for EVERY BODY, with programs at Pico/Killington, Bolton, Sugarbush, and now Stratton and Bromley as well. One of the highlights of my winter is every Wednesday from January through March at S...
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Azores: Vila Franca do Campo, Furnas, Parque Terra Nostra, Lago das Furnas, Chá Gorreana Tea Plantation

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  Islet of Vila Franca do Campo Today is our last day on São Miguel. We fly back to Lisbon tomorrow and then fly back to Boston the day after. Our Portuguese adventure is winding down. After a hearty buffet breakfast at the Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel in Ponta Delgada, we meet our local guide at the mini-bus and off we go for Vila Franca do Campo. Remember Vila Franca do Campo from yesterday. Vila Franca do Campo was the capital of the archipelago and the most important Azorean settlement until 20 October 1522, when a violent earthquake hit the area. 5000 people were killed during the earthquake and subsequent landslide. Because of the destruction at Vila Franca do Campo, the capital of São Miguel was transferred to Ponta Delgada. Our first stop is a view of the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo . Situated opposite the town of Vila Franca do Campo, about 1km from the coast, the islet is a result of the crater of an ancient submerged volcano.  It's become a heavily vi...
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Azores: Ponta Delgada, Plantação Ananases A Arruda, Ponta do Escalvado, Lagoa do Fogo, Igrejade São Nicolau, Canaldas Sete Cidades

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Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Estrela This morning many of our fellow travelers will be heading home while some of us will be flying to the Azores. The Azores, officially the Autonomous Region of the Azores , is an autonomous region of Portugal, in the Atlantic Ocean about 870 miles (1,400 km) west of mainland Portugal. The Azores is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands. We will be visitng the largest island, São Miguel Island (Portuguese for 'Saint Michael'), nicknamed "The Green Island" (Ilha Verde), it is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.  The island covers 290 sq mi (760 km2) and has around 140,000 inhabitants, with 45,000 people residing in Ponta Delgada, the archipelago's largest city. As we drive to the Lisbon airport, we pass Estádio José Alvalade . The Estádio José Alvalade is a football stadium in Lisbon, and home of Sporting Clube de Portugal. It was built adjacent to the site of the older ...
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