A very quick update. Our phone and internet connections have not been reliable, so I am keeping this short. I will provide a more detailed update with pictures in the coming days.

The Birch Ridge Inn survived the hurricane with minimal damage. The physical building is ok. We still need to do roof checks, etc, but first pass is good. Landscaping around the inn is going to take some time to clean up. On the plus side, the system of drainage control ditches we installed behind the inn during construction in 1997 did the job they were designed for and protected the building from the torrent of water washing down the mountain. On the minus side, they sacrificed themselves, dumping a lot of silt into the landscaped area behind the inn, which will require a some work to repair.

The driveway to the inn now has a drainage canal instead of a drainage ditch. The little ditch, which for years has successfully coped with spring runoff, is now a chasm about 6 feet wide and 4 to 5 feet deep alongside the driveway. Otherwise, except for intermittent power, telephone, and cable, everything else at the inn is fine.

From a staff side, we have spoken with most of the people who work for us. Communications is difficult, but everyone we have contacted is ok. We are all very lucky.

Around Killington, not so good. While most structures in town are fine, many along the Roaring Brook, and the Ottaquechee River have been severely damaged or destroyed. All roads leading into Killington, Route 4 East and West and Route 100 North and South are cut. Bridges are out around the state. Culverts used to carry little streams under roadbeds are now big fissures. It is quite stunning the power of rain water.

We do have some nice guests at the inn who have managed quite well though the last few days. Over the next few days, as communications out of the area stabilize, and after we have finished helping our neighbors, we will be reaching out to guests who have bookings at the inn in the near term to figure out travel plans.

While we survived Hurricane Irene, our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been less fortunate. The people of Killington Vermont are resilient. We will all get through this!