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WATERSKI MagazineI've lived in Vermont for 25 years, which means I've milked a few cows, tasted maple syrup drizzled on snow, basked in the brilliance of fall foliage, climbed the highest peaks and hook-turned across what most people would consider “the best” of our state's lakes. New and unique was old and worn. Then I spent two days with a few slalom explorers who revealed to me an uncommon group of lakes smack-dab in the middle of the state that had escaped me until one fateful weekend.
My anticipation ran deep as I pulled off Route 302 in Berlin and wandered into The Wayside, a hangout where locals hover over morning coffee and talk about townsfolk using only first names. There, in the middle of the gossip and a pre-dawn breakfast order, sat a melting pot of Vermonters and Flatlanders (native for “you're not from around here, are ya”) who were tanking up on Green Mountain coffee and awaiting my arrival.
After hearing them tell me how I was about to embark on the triple crown of Vermont water skiing, we all walked outside to a colorful convoy of cars, trucks and boat-loaded trailers. First stop would be Waterbury Reservoir. I had become familiar with the town of Waterbury as home to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and the state's psychiatric hospital (familiar from a distance), but as far as bodies of water, I had never seen anything larger than a rain puddle. I was about to see why.
It wasn't too long into the drive when our convoy said farewell to pavement and civilization. As we maneuvered through the last twist and turn, engulfed by a mouth-drying cloud of dust, the road suddenly narrowed and the treetops created a canopy overhead. The mountains, which sloped to the shoreline, were shadowed behind a bank of clouds while thin wisps of fog hovered over the 70-degree water surface.
With boats launched, we shared cutting honors through the fog. On the other end of the lake floated an elderly couple and their dog in a metal flat-bottom boat enjoying an early morning cast and reel. “You know, this is the only lake that shares half for engine-powered boats and half for quiet use and has, so far, worked well,” explained Mark Rossi, one of the reservoir's slalom trainees.
After lunch from the cooler and a few post-noon sets in tranquility, it was time to shove our sunbathed, water-logged bodies into the convoy and head for rest. There was a new lake to discover the next day.
Breakfast at The Wayside was followed by a direct northerly route out of Montpelier. Along Route 12 we came upon Wrightsville Reservoir. Much to my dismay, Wrightsville is so small that a sneeze at 36 mph pretty much takes you end to end. “Where else could you go and not see another boat anywhere?” asked Alan Rossi, standing on a grass knoll surveying the course. With a 360-degree barrier of trees and mountains, few people even know of the lake's existence. The only distraction on this day would be the family of beavers that was chewing a new home. “They tolerate us, and we leave them alone,” said Mike Nelson, while scanning for floating debris.
After four hours, nine major face plants, and one declared slalom champ, it was time to pack up and head over to our third treasure, Lake Groton, for a pass at dusk and a relaxing camp-side cold one. Mark Rossi's son, Tony, planned to show us some wakeboarding moves. At the little lake, Tony and his underwear-showing buddies shoved in an extended pylon and filled a couple of sacs with water. The slalom passes were apparently history for the day. “We're waiting to see how much commitment he has before we put money into this habit,” replied Mrs. Rossi, mother of what was, until now, a strictly slalom family.
As I headed back to the hotel later that night, getting lost for almost an hour, I replayed the weekend over in my mind. Underneath a gorgeous blanket of stars, it occurred to me that traveling far and wide isn't always the best plan. With a little effort, the new and unique may just be waiting somewhere in your own backyard.
Highlights:
B Hike to the highest point in Vermont, Mt. Mansfield, about 15 minutes north of Waterbury Reservoir.
B Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, 802-244-TOUR.
Remember:
B Bug spray and wetsuits.
How to get here:
B For Waterbury Reservoir, it's best to take U.S. 2 west to Little River Road and head north for 3.5 miles.
B Wrightsville Dam is along Route 12 north of Montpelier.
B Lake Groton is just off Route 232.
who to call:
B Green Mountain Water Skiers, 802-649-1603.
B Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, 802-229-5711.
