Goin to Smuggs, first time advice

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Ok, I have apparently decided to do Smuggs instead of Hilton Head, since I finally landed Barony for my dates and the kids wanted Smuggs instead. Plus DH announced he may not be able to join us, but the drive to VT gives him more flexibility. And air was a pain at this late date. Etc... I know I cant complain with HI coming up in August...

SO, I've got all the Smuggs building info I need, and I know the kids will be kept busy during the day (if they agree to do the camp, which they may opt out of after the first day) and there is plenty for them to do. My questions are more like, what will I do? Are there good restaurants up there for dinner? Any nice QUIET relaxing outdoor spots for me to sit with a book? Spa? (I am not a pool lover). Any hope of adult relaxation will be comforting. If it's not in the cards, let me know and I'll brace myself.

Thanks,
Avery

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Oh, this is a good question, and I am very interested in what answers you get, Avery!

Regarding your reference to having all the building info...what does that mean?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Oh, this is a good question, and I am very interested in what answers you get, Avery!

Regarding your reference to having all the building info...what does that mean?

I mean I know which building we will be staying in and (sort of) where it is, that it is not new but has been refurbished, size, layout, etc. And most importantly, it is WiFi enabled!

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

OMG...what will you do? Anything you want! I was up myself with two of the three kids last summer, the week before our "real" week. There are tons and tons of organized adult activities there during the day, from the "Never Ever" Tennis Clinic to Kayaking to Watercolor Painting and Jewelry Making classes. I basically swam laps and read lots of books (four, actually...I love to read)...also went shopping in Stowe and also got a massage at the Top Notch Spa:

http://www.topnotchresort.com/spa.php


You will get a booklet (actually about 20 pages long) that will list every activity available for both you and the kids.

If you want to read and people watch at the same time, you can always do that in the gazebo on the green...not that quiet though! Best place to read is probably on your balcony, or by the adult pool (Courtside Pool...no kids allowed during the day). You can also read in the pizza place or the deli while you much, or down in Ben and Jerry's! (These places are all in the village center, stacked one on top of the other.) I think the deli has great lunches, by the way.

There are also adult activities at night...I highly recommend the Improv show (if they are doing that again this summer) and I have heard that the House Band is excellent but have never seen them...they do a Thursday night set. If you need a sitter, just call the daycare center and they will send someone for you.

BTW, if any of your kids are into singing, dancing, or videography, they have specialty camps for this. However, they do tend to fill up in advance, so if they are interested you may want to sign them up now. My two girls loved the singing and dancing camps, and I have heard the video camp is really neat...it's run by a professional photographer/videographer and at the Thursday afternoon fair they show the kids' films.

You may want to also post this question on TUG as there are some owners over there (such as IreneLF and ctreelmom) that can probably think of things I am forgetting.

If you do find that your spouse can't go, let me know, and I will post to the Smuggs Yahoo group (if you like) to see if anyone will be there the week you are there that wants to be an "ambassador" for you!

Sharon

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Sharon,

Thanks, I am encouraged!! Whew!! Spa!!! I will consider your ambassador offer and PM you if I'm going solo [not usually my thing, but my recent experience with Jim and Pat (and meeting you and the gang at our get-together) is changing my mind about being sociable while traveling]... or maybe Lawren will come with me

Avery

[chemteach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chemteach]

We're headed to Smuggs in 3 days. Can't wait! Avery, when are you going?

Edye

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

We're headed to Smuggs in 3 days. Can't wait! Avery, when are you going?

Edye

Edye,

We will be there the week of July 8th. Let us know how your trip is, and if you find any other quiet spots for me!

Avery

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Thanks, Avery for filling in the gap for me.

Sharon, that sounds like it is quite fun for the whole family! No wonder people look forward to the exchange!

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

Hi Avery,
I am one of the people Sharon mentioned and have begun to come here as well as TUG.
Everything that Sharon said is of course spot on
There is tons of stuff to do, or you can do 'nothing' at all. The resort book will help a lot.
I'd recommend signing up for some of the hikes or wikes, (easier than a hike)if that's your thing. Easy to meet people that way, plus see some nice stuff as you go.
Every night has "adult" entertainment -- as in only for adults, no kids. I'd recommend the band which was Tuesdays - they are back and most excellent, all Smuggs employees with day jobs who just love to play good old rock n roll. Also recommend Marko the Magician and his hypnosis show -- absolutely hilarious (this one costs $10 cover but you get 2 drinks).

Walk the resort - you'll find your own quiet spot. I did it a few times and found a bench further up the mountain near some of the newer units and sat with a book and a heck of a view. Courtside pool is also good - you can be alone with a book or talk to someone on the next chaise or in the pool - or not.
As for the kids , camp is good and diverse. Mine went for years
(this is our 11th summer going back) and my 13 yo daughter still will - she has friends who come our same week but it's always nice to make more. My son and his friends (15 y.o.) dont' go anymore, which is too bad. The activities are challenging and different and good for their age as well, but they have other ideas about what to do with their day.

Too bad we're not up until July 22 or you'd have me as a tour guide.
What unit were you assigned?
Hope you and the kids have a great time,

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Do as much or as little as you'd like.

If the weather is good they have a lot of different hikes you can join or individual ones you can take.

My favorite place while the kids are in camp is to walk over to Rumrunners Hideaway. Bring a book and a drink and sandwich and enjoy the views. Of course if it's warm enough a nice dip in the crystal clear water is very refreshing. If you are staying in West hill or Highlands there is a trail across that cuts out some of the uphill walk.

JFYI cell service is VERY sporadic. My Verizon and Chris' Cingular only worked at the tippy top of Highlands area. ( which made scheduling my interview in Montreal interesting. )

The Port Jeff to Bridgeport ferry may save you some time and give you a break from the driving. Smuggs is a flat out 5 hours from here.

One more thing, just so you are prepared, the streets in the resort are not paved. Just hardpack and gravel. Not off-putting in the least especially if you expect it.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Lawren,

Thanks for mentioning the ferry, I will think on that. I'm always torn, but might do it. Since I'm only a little ways from the Throgs Neck Bridge, it doesn't really save much in terms of distance, but does indeed break up the driving....

Then again, I might prefer to keep the monkeys in the car...

Sounds like I should bring the walkie/talkies, better go check batteries, etc, thanks!

Avery

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Lawren,

Thanks for mentioning the ferry, I will think on that. I'm always torn, but might do it. Since I'm only a little ways from the Throgs Neck Bridge, it doesn't really save much in terms of distance, but does indeed break up the driving....

Then again, I might prefer to keep the monkeys in the car...

Sounds like I should bring the walkie/talkies, better go check batteries, etc, thanks!

Avery

It might be nice for the drive home and cut out some of the traffic.

DS and I stop at one of the numerous Cracker Barrels in CT off RTE 91 for lunch on the way back ( LOVE their onion rings) to break up our trip but usually do a straight run going.

Oh another thing. DS HATED camp the first time we went as he didn't join until Wednesday; but LOVED it the second time because he went Monday. That's when the kids bond I guess. Thankfully Smuggs will refund the money if the kids don't like it.

He liked both Adventurer Camp (?) and the Arts & Crafts one.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

It might be nice for the drive home and cut out some of the traffic.

DS and I stop at one of the numerous Cracker Barrels in CT off RTE 91 for lunch on the way back ( LOVE their onion rings) to break up our trip but usually do a straight run going.

Oh another thing. DS HATED camp the first time we went as he didn't join until Wednesday; but LOVED it the second time because he went Monday. That's when the kids bond I guess. Thankfully Smuggs will refund the money if the kids don't like it.

He liked both Adventurer Camp (?) and the Arts & Crafts one.

I told the boys that they MUST attend the first day. After that, it's up to them. Part of the problem is that it's DS and his friend, they think they might want to just "hang out." So we'll see...