Fly Free: Experiencing Vermont's Unique Charm on a Magic Carpet

By admin

Once upon a time in the picturesque state of Vermont, there was a magic carpet that held extraordinary powers. This enchanting carpet, woven with colorful threads and intricate designs, possessed the ability to transport its passengers to any destination they desired. It had been passed down through generations, and its origin remained a delightful mystery. The magic carpet was cherished by the people of Vermont, who would gather around it in awe and amazement. It became a symbol of unity and adventure, bringing joy and excitement to those who hopped on its magical surface. The residents would often gather in the town square, eagerly awaiting their turn to embark on a thrilling journey.



Magic Carpet Clover, Grass & Wildflower Seed Mix

This low maintenance clover, soft and durable grasses and wildflower seed mix is a great alternative to the traditional lawn. Dutch white clover is a low maintenance ground cover which is prized for its nitrogen fixing properties, pollinator value and aesthetic look. Once established it requires little maintenance or for a more natural look, no maintenance. Easy to grow, low growing, low maintenance, and beautiful. What more can you ask for if you wish to replace your traditional high maintenance lawn?

Detailed Info

What's in the Mix: (Contains 1 Clover variety,2 Fescue Grass Varieties and 5 Low Growing Wildflowers)
Botanical Name Common Name Life Cycle Approx. Height & Color
Trifolium repens Dutch White Clover Perennial 4-8 in. Whites/Green
Festuca ovina Sheep Fescue Perennial 4-8 in. Grass
Festuca ovina ‘Jetty' Hard Fescue Perennial 8-10 in. Grass
Viola cornuta Johnny Jump Up Perennial 4-8 in. Purple/Yellow/White
Lobularia maritima Sweet Alyssum Annual 6-8 in. White
Calendula officianalis Calendula Annual 8-10in. Orange,Yellow
Oenothera speciosa Showy Evening Primrose Perennial 8-10 in. Pink/White
Phacelia campanularia California Bluebell Annual 6-10 in. Blue

SEEDING RATES ARE APPROX DEPENDING ON THE DENSITY OF COVERAGE YOU DESIRE. Our suggestion for coverage is as follows: 1 oz. up to 100 sq ft 1/4 lb covers 250 - 500 sq ft 1/2 lb covers 500 - 1,000 sq ft 1 lb covers 1,000 - 2,000 sq ft 5 lbs covers 5,000 - 10,000 sq ft 10 lbs covers 10,000 - 20,000 sq ft 30 lbs covers 30,000 - 1 Acre SHIPPING and HANDLING CHARGES:

Standard Shipping (Most orders ship within 2 business days)

Orders of $39 or More! = FREE Orders of $38.99 or Less! = $6.95 Flat Rate

Expedited Shipping

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Planting Guides

When to Sow this Mixture:

Spring and Fall are the best times to seed although with proper conditions and can be seeded early or late summer too! Heat is the enemy in most cases. In spring, you can sow close to your last frost day and in fall, you should sow 8-10 weeks before your first frost so it can establish to winter over. Most of the low growing wildflowers in this mix are annuals but do reseed. We suggest a spring planting if you can.

How to Sow this Mixture:

Remove all existing growth and sow evenly over the area. We suggest sowing heavily throughout the area and compressing for a good seed to soil contact without pushing the seeds beneath the soil. Keep watered and moist until the seedlings are about 4 inches high and then watering can be reduced.

How to Maintain:

This lawn will not need fertilizer. Clover acts as a green fertilizer if trimmed and is great for aeration as the roots work into the soil. It is also a great nitrogen booster. Mow once in spring and once in fall. Do not use herbicides. If you see dead grass clumps, de-thatch the area. Purchase a bit extra seed of this mix to fill in any sparse areas that may occur.

New Adventures For Kids

A s a child, my father grew up skiing backcountry forests and steep mountain terrain. Each time he ventured out, my grandfather warned my father and his five other siblings to “keep up or risk getting left behind.”

He wasn’t joking—one day the family station wagon had cruised halfway home before my grandparents realized my dad’s youngest brother, Buzz, was still on the hill.

I know this story because my dad has told it, chuckling, a hundred times over dinner, whenever we see my extended family and every time we go skiing. The rest of us sit back and happily listen. And when we’re not listening, we’re skiing.

My dad set me—terrified and blissful—on his skis when I was four. Now, I chase him in figure-eights down the diamonds.

Most adults who love skiing or riding started young, so it’s up to parents to get kids started early. The stakes are high because, as with my family, these early memories get relived, years later, over and over at the dinner table. So, the important question remains: how do you create both a positive and a memorable experience for kids?

Step one: Do not leave your child in the backcountry.

Step two: Make sure everyone’s having a blast.

Lately, ski resorts around Vermont have been making this task much easier. To start with, lift ticket scanners at many resorts can tell what lifts your kids are riding at all times, so you’re not likely to lose them. Smuggler’s Notch even attaches a GPS Flaik tracking system to its ski schoolers. That system logs runs, vertical feet and other fun data that parents can see at the end of the day.

And with ski school programs as focused on making sure kids have fun as they are on making classic pizza wedges and French fries, kids are learning faster. Harley Johnson, director of the Ski and Ride school at Smugglers’ Notch, says it’s important to make the lessons fun so the kids want to keep coming back.

“Good lessons are made by instructors who have a connection to their students and focus on engaging the kids in fun-based activities,” Johnson says. “Kids learn more quickly when they are enjoying themselves. We try to introduce different features and props on the hill to help make learning how to ski and ride as enjoyable as possible. The social connections made on the mountain solidify the skiing and riding experience and make them want to come back and do it again.”

Lessons can push kids out of their comfort zones in a way a parent often can’t. If your kids love launching off ski jumps and you’re not up to giving them a safety lesson (because, let’s face it, you don’t love launching off ski jumps), book a private lesson with a freestyle coach. At Sugarbush, for instance, private instructors offer specialized instruction on any of the mountain’s three terrain parks. Staff teach your kids the correct stance to take off and land smoothly, along with some jazzy (but safe) tricks that they can show all their ski buddies. Lessons start at $100 for one hour.

Just as important, resorts are making sure there’s as much fun to be had off the slopes as on. New this year, Stowe’s $80 million Adventure Center opened in July. Along with housing all the ski school programs, it features the Stowe Rocks climbing wall and its own dedicated cafeteria, The Canteen.

This March, Smugglers’ Notch plans to open a 26,000-sq.-ft. Fun Zone with, hold your breath: a slot car track, a 4,000-sq.-ft. two-story themed laser tag arena, two Smuggs Warrior courses with a built-in timing system, an arcade with more than 20 games and a 30-foot multi-sided climbing wall. There will also be a second floor with ping pong, mini-golf, shuffleboard and a Smuggs’ café.

With recent additions like Stowe’s private lactation pod (developed in Vermont by Mamava), Sugarbush’s cooking classes for kids and the bar that overlooks Jay Peak’s water park, resorts are thinking about the needs of the whole family.

“Ski resorts in Vermont have been adding more kid and family friendly amenities for several years now,” says Dana Freeman, the founder of All Mountain Mamas, a blog published by Ski Vermont. “It is an upward trend. It makes resorts viable for all four seasons—no longer do activities have to involve snow. And, resorts want to cater to families. They want to bring them in and keeping them coming back.”

So yes, there’s lots of fun to be had on the mountains, but here are a few ways that kids (and inner children) can have fun off the slopes, too. Call it “Après for Kids.”

Ride a Coaster

At both Okemo and Killington resorts, you might be silently carving turns, only to hear shrieks of children—and adults—in the distance. Don’t be alarmed. These thrill-seekers you hear are screaming in delight as they ride Okemo’s Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster, or at Killington, the Beast Mountain Coaster.

Okemo’s track, located at Jackson Gore, climbs 1,600 feet, then drops you in a series of twists and turns through forested terrain. You’ll follow the downward slope of the mountain for almost 3,500 feet. Both coasters are controlled through levers the rider can push down to go full-speed or yank back to brake, so you and your kids stay in control the whole time.

There’s plenty of room for parents on this ride—the car fits two ($15 for the driver, $10 for passengers). The Beast Mountain Coaster, based out of Killington’s Snowshoe Lodge, will take you through 4,800 feet of forest in 360-degree corkscrews and drops that are sure to thrill your young ones—and you! Rides start at $15.

Climb the Walls

When your kids are seeking refuge from the cold, keep their mind and muscles active in a climbing gym. Stowe’s new $80 million Adventure Center, which opened this July, features Stowe Rocks, a 40-foot, four-story indoor tower that overlooks the slopes. The center is the final component of Stowe’s development plan that has spanned more than a decade. Steps away from the slopes, the building also holds the resort’s licensed daycare facility and kids’ ski program. Continued on p. 20.

Altogether, the Stowe Rocks center has 50 routes, which include both top-roping and bouldering, as well as eight TruBlue auto belay stations designed to safely catch kids when they fall. Day passes are $26 for kids and $30 for adults. Kids under age 14 need adult supervision, but there’s also a Kid’s Zone for those 13 and under. Thousands of newbies have recently discovered the sport of indoor rock climbing, and for good reason: it all but erases the fear of heights, promotes full-body strength and requires problem-solving. Head over to the Canteen, the Adventure Park’s kid-friendly restaurant, to grab some pizza or a burger when the adventuring day is done.

Slated to open in March, Smugglers’ Notch will have a multi-sided climbing wall in its new Fun Zone as well.

Rip Down a Zip Line

If your kids enjoy the thrill of flying through powdery terrain on skis, they might enjoy zipping through the snowy treetops, too. The ArborTrek Canopy Tour offers year-round tours at Smugglers’ Notch. Hand your trust over to two experienced guides and fly with your family through the Notch’s beautiful backcountry. The tour features ziplines that range from 175 to 1000 feet in length, at heights up to almost 75 feet.

Three separate packages allow you to pick the tour best suited for the whole gang. Arbor’s Wild Ride ($99.95) lasts up to three hours and crosses eight ziplines up to 73 feet high. Arbor’s Winter Wild Ride ($87.95) has six ziplines and lasts up to two and a half hours, but gives you maximum height at 73 feet tall. With only three ziplines, The Arbor’s Express ($65) is best suited for younger kids as it lasts only one to two hours.

Tube Down The Hill

Sometimes the kids just can’t get enough of the snow, even when their (and your) legs are beat from a full day of skiing. Resorts made tubing parks for these exact occasions. Nothing is easier than parking the kids’ bums in these giant inflatable bubbles that drift safely down the hill. Some parks are even accessed by a magic carpet ride, giving tired legs a free pass from trekking back up. Tubes come in big and small sizes—don’t be shy, parents.

Mount Snow’s tubing park is often a favorite because of its magic carpet ride to the top. This park, one of the biggest in Vermont, has eight lanes and is free on Mondays to season pass holders. Otherwise, tickets are $20 for two hours of tubing, and $30 to tube all day. Okemo’s multi-lane tubing park is located in Jackson Gore Village, near shops, restaurants, the lodge and the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster. Tickets are $13 per person and $9 for 6-and-unders. At Killington, kids and adults can tube for 90-minute periods under the lights—the park is open until 7 p.m., long after the lifts have closed. Tickets start at $20 for kids and $25 for adults. Smugglers’ Notch boasts two tubing parks: The Sir Henry Hill, which is open during evening hours to serve the après crowd, and Smugglers’ North Hill, which added three 400-foot lanes last winter. The parks are free to guests of the resort who hold a valid pass. Magic Mountain, which reopened this season, has tubing right in front of the base lodge for $25 per day.

Skate on Ice

If your kids want to channel their NHL player or Olympic figure skater, a number of resorts have ice rinks and rental skates right on the mountain. This past summer, Okemo upgraded its rink using the same technology that Rockefeller Center’s rink uses. Plus, a gas fireplace sits nearby so that you can warm up, then skate on. Unlimited skating costs only $5, and an additional $5 for rentals. At Stowe, an outdoor rink at Spruce Peak Plaza sits in the center of the action, right in between the Spruce Camp Base Lodge and Adventure Center. Bring your own skates to make this a free skating activity, or rent a pair, starting at $16 per day (rink access is complimentary). Jay Peak’s Ice Haus is often the site for intense hockey games and training camps, but in between, the public can hit the Zamboni-smooth ice or grab a beer at the rink-adjacent bar and watch the action. Admission is free for kids age 3 and under, $4 for Vermonters and $6 for general admission. Skate rentals start at $3 .

Learn To Cook

Après-ski is one of the most important parts of the day for adults, right? It can be for kids, too. While other resorts might teach your kid how to make a pizza wedge with his or her skis, ride the lift or even ski the glades, Sugarbush can also teach kids ages 6-12 to make actual pizza. The Kids’ Cooking Classes, held every other week in groups of no more than 20, feature local produce from nearby farms like Gaylord Farm in Waitsfield. The hands-on classes rotate between fresh Mexican cuisine, a “Vermont’s finest” theme and “Pie in the Sky,” where kids make their own homemade pizzas. Instructors teach the basics of kitchen safety, food handling, cooking techniques and (just for you, moms:) table setting. The regular classes ($38) are offered every other week, and include making (and eating) an appetizer, dinner, recipe card and a chef apron.

Ride the Waves

When it comes to indoor recreation, Jay Peak doesn’t mess around. The mountain’s
6,000-square-foot water park is complete with water slides, flowriding (“a cross between skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding”), a big lazy river, a pond play area, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, an arcade and a snack bar. Best of all, a bar called “The Drink” sits on the second floor, allowing you to keep the little ones in sight while sipping on something made just for adults. The folks at Jay recommend leaving your turtleneck in your suitcase: the park stays a balmy 86 degrees year-round. Tickets to the Pump Indoor Water Park are $39 per day and can be reserved online in advance.

  • ← Heading North of the Border
  • Vail Buys Stowe! →

We Made It Through The Floods!

Good morning skiers and riders! Boy, Mother Nature has sure thrown us some curveballs over the past months this year. While we did suffer significant natural snow loss with the heavy rain on Monday, our manmade surfaces held up really well. With a little help from our incredible grooming team, we will be open for day & night skiing from 9am – 9pm!

Today, we’re expecting mostly sunny skies, a high near 34, and northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. While we did get a little snow yesterday, our snowmakers are hard at work off the Sheehan Chair, making up for any loss from the rain to keep us on the snow. Today we’ll be riding machine groomed and packed powder surfaces with 5 lift serviced trails to start the day including the new discovery trail off the magic carpet Discovery Zone learning area. Kelton is expected to open later in the day, which will bring us back up to 6 trails open.

Uphill skinning is not advised at this time due to the loss of natural snow on our routes.

CAFE: Open daily at 8:30am, our cafe serves up a fantastic array of housemade foods including breakfast, homemade soups, smash burgers from local Cornwall Cattle Co., Black Bean burgers from VT Bean Crafters, handcut fries, and local beers to top it all off!

SOUP: Coming later this morning

SPECIALS: Coming later this morning

See ya on the slopes!

  • ← Ski Ya Wednesday!
  • A Bright Future at the Bowl →

Five Fall Days on an Xprezo Magic Carpet

Over the last few years Xprezo has been gaining traction in the US, especially in the Northeast. Knowing nothing about the brand except that they are aluminum and steel bikes handmade in Canada, I was excited to throw my leg over one for a week during the best time of the year to ride at Kingdom Trails.

I’ve been living and breathing the bike industry for 12 years and will be the first to admit I like big bike companies. They pour a lot of money into their design, construction and component spec’ing which generally gives you an outstanding product, with a solid warranty, for a relatively moderate price tag. I have lost my attraction to super unique, sexy bikes that may put form over function, that being said, I was immediately skeptical of the Magic Carpet and it’s high-ish price tag.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS:

The Xprezo Magic Carpet is marketed as “an aggressive trail bike that eats everything” – Xprezo Website

The construction of the frame is “ made of a 6061 alloy front triangle, meant to be light and stiff. While the swing arm is of an entirely different nature by using Colombus 4031 steel. This ensures a comfortable, lively and snappy feeling that stands out from other material combinations. Not to mention the extra durability and ease of repairing in case of an accident. Everything is designed, cut, machined and welded at the small facility in Bromont, Quebec where all the bikes are tested step by step before a production model is launched.” – Alain, Xprezo

Link driven Single Pivot suspension design 130mm travel

Cable routing is internal through the mainframe and uses external cable guides on the rear triangle.

Set up to run an internal dropper

No way to run a front derailleur….who needs ’em anyways

THE NUMBERS:

Size Tested: Large

Price of tested bike: $6380

Fork Travel: 140mm

Rear Wheel Travel: 130mm

Head tube angle 67.6

Tested Top Tube(size large) 24.4”

bottom bracket – 13”

Seat tube angle 76.3”

tested wheelbase 46.7”

INITIAL BLISS

The first ride I took on this was with Alain from Xprezo when he came to drop the bike off to me. When he pulled out the fluorescent orange Magic Carpet from his sprinter van I had apprehensive butterflies, not unlike seeing the hot girl who you know is crazy. I hated this feeling due to my pragmatic approach towards bikes but there was a very real curb appeal that hooked me instantly.

After setting up the sag (30% rear, 20% front w/3 bottom out tokens), saddle height, compression and rebound, we departed on an 18 mile loop starting on mellow XC trails leading to more technical riding.

Within the first mile of riding I could not help but think, wow, this is less harsh than riding a carbon bike or even a full aluminum bike. After riding a few more trails and getting comfortable with the bike beneath me I knew instantly what made this bike stand apart: unequivocally, the ride quality.

THE CLIMBING

Continuing on the ride, we approached Burnham Up, a technical climb. Alain claims to love technical climbing so I was excited to see what the bike could do as it was also his bike of choice.

The bike is not a feather weight, nor a heavy weight, sitting more in that healthy body image range, so I knew that it was not going fly up the climb like a 23lb xc carbon race machine but I was optimistic. Alain told me he uses compression damping on the rear shock when he climbs but I prefer to run it open to get the full range of traction the bike has to offer.

The bottom few sections climbed nicely seated, but there was no brain surgery going on there, it was further up the trail where there are some punchy technical sections that would put the Magic Carpet through it’s paces.

In the first technical section I was out of the saddle riding the climb the way I always had and was impressed by the traction of the rear wheel. There was a brief reprieve before the next part, which was steppy and punchy but the bike reiterated that the rear wheel will track the ground to give you every ounce of traction it can.

Towards the end of the trail there are a few – generally wet – tricky rooty sections that can halt you quickly if you are not prepared for losing traction on the rear wheel, catching your front tire on a rogue root or lifting the front wheel around a steep uphill corner. I wanted to see how dummy you can get with the bike’s climbing ability so I went full neanderthal: plowing lines that I would be embarrassed to have my dog see me take. The bike took my idiocy and turned it into genius, between the seemingly endless rear wheel traction and frame materials’ ability to absorb input, which would be jarring on carbon bikes, the Magic Carpet truly lived up to its name.

On other sections of climbing where the terrain is more mundane the bike did not shine as brightly. The bike still climbed well, especially with some assistance from the shock’s compression damping.

The magic carpet made the ups fun so it could only do the same with the downs, right?

When Alain and I concluded our climbing we sat atop one of my favorite trails, Moose Alley. This is a long-ish undulating downhill that is mildly tech, flowy, jumpy and droppy all rolled up into around 9 minutes of fun top to bottom.

Dropping into Moose I tried keeping similar pace to what I would on other bikes and it felt intuitive off the bat, no surprises here. It was not until a couple hundred yards in that I felt the first unmagical moment of the day.

There is a stacked rock roller that shoots you into a couple of berms and this was where I felt some limitations that I would say were due to the relatively steep head angle.

Side bar

67.6 degrees is not a super steep head angle when you are looking at Xc, trail or even all mountain bikes but when you are claiming that this is an “aggressive trail bike that eats everything” it is a bit misleading. In the relatively recent past bikes have been getting slacker head angles and longer in the top tube to make for better descending without compromising climbing much. A lot of bikes that I would consider in a similar category to the Magic Carpet sit in that pleasant but not too aggressive 67-66.5 degrees.

To continue on….

The bike felt twitchy in that relatively high speed compression spot but after a bit more riding I adapted and learned where to push and where to be a little more dainty.

The rest of the trail was a blast, the rear end made all mid to smaller size chatter mellow out and gave a buttery smooth feel to a rooty trail. The suspension action is very progressive so when lofting it off a drop or pumping hard through a section the bike never had a harsh bottom out. Another benefit of the progressive suspension curve was the poppy feeling that assists in jumping over roots or preloading your favorite trail gap.

Post ride beer thoughts

This bike is really special, it is unexpected and over performing. The ride quality driven by the frame materials and suspension linkage dampens the small to mid size chatter to a level that was unprecedented. When the bike rolled in I was skeptical and kept my skepticism in the back of my mind during the rest of the ride test but after putting solid miles in on it and having others validate my claims I can say confidently that there is nothing out there, that I know of, like it.

The rear end feels amazing over almost anything which is perplexing because the bike feels under gunned by the front end. The bike rode confidently on nearly everything but where things got “aggressive” I felt given a little slacker in the front it could have gotten more awesome and really made it feel like an “aggressive trail bike that could eat everything”.

The component check

The fact that Xprezo tries to utilize French and Canadian made components rounds out the story nicely.

Cockpit: The Chromag Cutlas bar was narrow for my taste at 730mm wide. Chromag Saddle? Didn’t notice it which is a good thing, instantly comfortable and non-offensive

Drivetrain/Brakes: Sram X01 drivetrain works really well and Guide brakes are an elixir for Avid Brakes. Minus the pun, the new guide brakes are good, really good, honestly.

Wheels/Tires: Maxxis High Roller 2 front and Ikon rear, super fun and reliable combination. Wheels are Stan’s No Tubes Arch EX rims wrapped around Aivee Edition 1 Hubs. Rims are relatively narrow (21mm inner width) but standard for lighter weight trail set ups. The hubs functioned well, the engagement was not noticeable, it wasn’t particularly quick or slow, it is a 3 pawl system with 30 points of engagement.

Suspension: Rock Shox Pike in the front and Monarch Debonair in the rear, they both functioned very well and felt complementary to the Magic Carpet platform. The best part about these two entities are their easy tunability with bottom out tokens and compression bands, respectively.

FINAL FINAL THOUGHT

The uniqueness cannot be articulated by talking or reading this, it is truly something that you need to put your leg over to understand; that being said, find that hot crazy girl and give ‘er a ride.

The residents would often gather in the town square, eagerly awaiting their turn to embark on a thrilling journey. The carpet had the enchanting ability to defy the laws of physics, allowing its passengers to soar through the sky at unimaginable speeds. As the carpet lifted off the ground, Vermont's breathtaking landscapes would unfold beneath them.

Magic carpet on vermont

The lush green forests, sparkling lakes, and majestic mountains would pass by in a glorious blur, leaving the passengers in awe of their natural beauty. The people of Vermont would take the opportunity to explore the world beyond their state's boundaries. With the magic carpet as their guide, they would venture to distant lands, experiencing new cultures, and embracing unfamiliar traditions. From the bustling streets of New York City to the tranquil beaches of Hawaii, the carpet would carry them to places they had only dreamed of. But it wasn't just the far-off destinations that captured their hearts. The magic carpet would also whisk them away to hidden corners of their beloved Vermont. They would glide effortlessly over charming small towns, where they could witness the warm smiles of the locals and savor the flavors of Vermont's famous maple syrup. The magic carpet became a source of inspiration and wonder for Vermont's residents. It encouraged them to dream big and explore the endless possibilities that lay beyond their doorstep. It served as a reminder that the world was vast and full of mysteries waiting to be discovered. Although the magic carpet's existence remained a secret known only to Vermont's inhabitants, its impact extended far beyond the borders of the state. People from all around the world would journey to Vermont in the hope of catching a glimpse of this legendary carpet. They sought its enchanting powers and the thrill of embarking on a magical adventure. The magic carpet on Vermont was a whimsical tale that captured the imagination of both young and old. It reminded us to never lose sight of our sense of wonder and to always embrace the magic that lies within the world around us. This enchanting carpet continues to weave its way through the stories and dreams of the people of Vermont, carrying them on incredible journeys and inspiring them to make their wishes come true..

Reviews for "Vermont's Hidden Treasures: Unveiling Surprises on a Magic Carpet"

1. Jane - 2 stars
I recently read "Magic Carpet on Vermont" and was quite disappointed. The plot seemed promising, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The author introduced too many characters with shallow development, making it difficult to connect or care about any of them. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, with long-winded descriptions that did not add much to the overall story. Overall, I found "Magic Carpet on Vermont" to be a tedious and unsatisfying read.
2. Mark - 1 star
I cannot recommend "Magic Carpet on Vermont" to anyone. The writing style was incredibly pretentious and self-indulgent, with the author seeming to revel in their own cleverness. The constant use of flowery prose and excessive metaphors made it a chore to read. I also found the constant shifting of perspectives confusing and unnecessary. The story never seemed to go anywhere, and I was left feeling unfulfilled and frustrated. Save your time and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Magic Carpet on Vermont" has an interesting concept, but the execution fell flat for me. The characters lacked depth and felt more like caricatures rather than real people. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to engage with the story. While there were a few intriguing moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster writing. I had higher hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Mike - 1 star
I struggled to finish "Magic Carpet on Vermont". The plot seemed promising, but it quickly became an aimless and meandering mess. The author seemed more focused on showcasing their writing skills rather than constructing a coherent and compelling story. The constant jumping between different timelines and perspectives made it difficult to follow and disrupted any sense of flow. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying experience.

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