Northshore Magazine

Northshore March 2016

Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.

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40 | MARCH 2016 nshoremag.com His ever-present, at-the-ready vat of homemade herbal tea is a favorite— restorative and tasty, it is a blend of fresh turmeric root, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, lemon, and maple syrup. Also on tap at all times is a freshly made batch of lemon wa- ter. Thanks to two volunteers who are present at every retreat, an always- tidy kitchen, constantly replenished snacks, and ever-ready coffee and tea supplies make guests feel com- fortable and taken care of. A fun side note: The ringing of two antique cowbells announces all meals, and the Sound of Music theme song greets each new day. (The von Trapp Farmstead—now a certified-organic dairy farm—bor- ders the ranch.) Scott ensures area recreational activities are easily accessible. He is known to host guided hikes through the miles of state park trails that surround the ranch, horses in tow. During seasonable weather, he brings guests to nearby Bingham Falls to swim in the icy- cold gorge. And come winter, he provides 25 pairs of snowshoes. (Conveniently, Stowe's mountain shuttle service stops right at the ranch en route to Smugglers' Notch Resort—a mere five-minute drive up the road.) A few miles down that same road, runners and cyclists can make use of a 5.3-mile paved path that runs through an interna- tionally recognized greenway. And, of course, there are the horses to enjoy—whether it's rid- ing them, running beside them, or doing yoga atop them. "There's nowhere else in the country where you can run with horses in the woods near waterfalls with nothing but the sound of birds around you," says Scott beamingly. In addition to the highly specialized horse programs, "acro" yoga and stand-up paddleboard yoga are also on offer. Stowe itself is reason enough to plan a visit. With 15 festivals a year, wineries and breweries that dot the map in every direction, a lolling mountain range to explore, and for- est trails galore, there is no shortage of ways to spend quality time. Accolades for Scott's retreat center include a ranking in Yoga Journal's "17 Dream Destinations for Yoga Retreats Worldwide," The Huffington Post's "Best 8 Yoga Re- treat Destinations in the U.S.," and Tripadvisor's Certificate of Excel- lence. That's how wonderful it is. After 25 years in the Army reserves, it makes sense that Scott runs his ranch with deep intention and a practiced hand. His dili- gence has resulted in a place that feels warm, welcoming, safe, and inspired. A stay at Stowe Mountain Ranch Yoga Retreat Center, he says, is "one-third yoga, one-third horses, and one-third good food"—in other words, a perfect balance. Stowe Mountain Ranch Yoga Retreat Center 5504 Mountain Rd. Stowe, VT 802-585-9006 stoweretreats.com CONTACT photographs by Lauren Panzano Acres and acres of natural beauty surround the ranch; Below left, Gerry Scott with horse Black Jack; Below, Classes are held outside during the warm months.

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