View ChannelsFeatured: Finance
View ShowroomsFeatured: Radiantec - Radiant Solar Heating

BobVila.com

Home

Tour of Quechee Lakes, Vermont

Kicking off Home Again's Quechee, Vermont farmhouse project, Bob takes a panoramic tour of Quechee's winter landscape. While checking out the natural wonders, recreational amenities, and picturesque village vistas, Bob discusses the unique geological and economic history of the area.

Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

Chapters from this episode

Now Playing

Blasting Bedrock to Create the Foundation

Framing the First Floor Deck Now Playing

Framing the First Floor Deck

Quechee Lakes Development Now Playing

Quechee Lakes Development

Tour of Quechee Lakes, Vermont Now Playing

Tour of Quechee Lakes, Vermont

Clip Transcript For:

Tour of Quechee Lakes, Vermont

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" The Ice Age ended eons ago you wouldn't exactly know it by the amount of snows surrounding us here in Quechee, Vermont, but some of the interesting things that happened here to the natural terrain when that glacier came through are the aspects, the physical aspects of the state like the great Quechee gorge, which is not far from here. The other Quechee river, which runs through the heart of the Quechee village area is today a fly fisherman's paradise, but back in the 19th century, it powered the mill, which made lumber, cider, all sorts of products including woolens and flannels. In fact, some of the flannels that were made at the Dewi Mill were used for the baseball uniforms through the Yankees and the Red Socks. Now, by the mid-20th century, the cost of labor in this area had become so expensive that many of the mills had started to close down. By the late 1950's, there was a last mill that was shut down. Today, it's actually used as a glass blowing operation. After the closing of the mills, the economy of this region, and indeed most of the state of Vermont, was in the dumps for about a decade. In the 1960's, skiing took over, and that of course, is what has helped revive Vermont's economy. With the skiers came a new tourist industry; quaint country inns and beds and breakfast, local crafts people and artist, boutiques, and antique shops, and with the tourist industry came the next logical step for a state that's always been agriculturally oriented, natural and organic farming. Vermont was settled by farmers and has long been the seed of production for much of New England's famous maple syrup, dairy products, and most recently, has capitalized on the growing market for natural and organically farmed products."

[-]

More Videos »Related Videos

Boiler Pipes and a In-Floor Radiant Heat in Bathroom

Bob meets with the plumber to look at the air handler and then goes upstairs to check out a bathroom floor heated with radiant heat.

Heavy-Duty Metal Shelving and Preparing the Boat for Winter Storage

In the loft, we put together a metal shelving system from InterMetro that's sturdy enough for industrial use. The boat arrives on a hydraulic trailer and is prepped for winter storage.

Winterize Your Home

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. While you were having fun in the sun this summer, it was no vacation for your house. Sun, wind and rain can cause as much wear and tear as snow and ice. A fall checklist will tip you off to some problems before they become nasty mid-winter surprises. Check your house from top to bottom. Start by inspecting the roof with binoculars: Are your shingles worn or failing? Check the attic for signs of leaks around the skylights or vents, chimneys, and have your chimney cleaned once a year. Clear out your gutters and check for leaks there, too. Drain your outside hose spigots if you live where pipes can freeze. Switch your screens for storm windows, and seal any drafty windows and doors. The same goes for paint and siding: make sure you caulk or repair those gaps around windows, doors, trim and vents, and replace any siding that is failing. In the basement, check for dampness on the floor and walls, test your sump pump, flush your water heater and check for any signs of leakage. Clean your dryer vent regularly. Make sure that paints or any flammable materials are stored away from heat sources in a closed metal cabinet. And make that appointment to have your heating system serviced yearly. Do the top-to-bottom check this fall, and you ll avoid expensive surprises this winter! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Snowblower Types

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Whether you call it a snowblower or a snow thrower, before you shell out for one this winter, make sure you re getting the one you need. If you consistently get more than six inches of snow or your driveway is a long one, you ll need a gasoline-powered snowblower. There are two types: single-stage and two-stage. Two-stage models are the most expensive, from $500 to $2,500. But if you re clearing unpaved areas and heavy snow you ll need them because they have an auger, which collects the snow, and a separate impeller, which throws it. Some models have great features like headlights, one-handed operation and electric, rather than recoil, start mechanisms, so you don t have to yank any cords. Some even have independent-clutch wheels that allow for easy pivoting without going into reverse. These can all come in handy when you ve got a lot of ground to cover. Electric models are less expensive, ranging from $100 to $400. They re lighter and easier to maneuver, and they don t make as much noise or create as much air pollution as gasoline-powered models. If all you ve got is a small, paved driveway and some walkways to clear and they re within a hundred feet of your house, an electric snowblower will serve your needs in snowfalls of up to six inches. It ll also save you gasoline and maintenance hassles without taking up much storage space. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008