—by Matt Golec

10/20/23

Fairlee, VT

Former Valley News sports reporter Jared Pendak is feeling some game-day pressure.

As the Dayhike & Dine organizer counts heads coming off the Palisades Trail in Fairlee, VT, he juggles a few different options for a group lunch. Lake Morey Resort? It’s close, but they might not welcome a big bunch of sweaty hikers. The Hungry Bear Pub & Grill? It’s up in Bradford and could be too far for some.

In a clutch play, Pendak — clad in a New England Patriots sweatshirt — calls an audible: Jan’s Fairlee Diner has enough open seats to fit the group, he learns over the telephone, so the hungry hikers hop in their cars for a 1,500-yard drive to lunch.

Touchdown.

Pendak has been organizing these Dayhike & Dine trips every third Sunday of the month since May of 2022. Hikes tend to be local to the greater Upper Valley, they’re open to a wide range of ages and ability levels, and the post-hike meal helps build new friendships.

“There weren't a lot of regular hiking groups, and I thought this would be a good way to bring people together,” Pendak said.

Jared Pendak (center) gathers the Dayhike & Dine participants as they prepare to hike up the Palisades Trail in Fairlee recently in October. Photos by Matt Golec.

October’s hike to the Palisades Trail brought a record 20 people together, along with two well-behaved dogs (in Latin: Goodus dogus). Hikers clumped into sub-groups, depending on how fast they were hoofing it, but nobody strayed too far on the 1.1-mile, 400-foot elevation gain trail.

The view from the top, looking down on Fairlee, Orford, and the green Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge spanning the Connecticut River, didn’t disappoint. People posed for photos, admired the view, and then wandered up the trail a bit farther before heading back down.

Amanda DeRoy of Norwich has been on eight or nine Dayhike & Dine trips — she’s not sure of the exact number, but it’s a lot of them.

“I love it,” she said. “You just show up and meet new people” who enjoy outdoor adventures.

DeRoy has a reputation as a speed demon; on the way down the trail, her friends joked about how fast she was hiking. For her part, DeRoy appreciates how this social activity encourages movement and spending time outdoors.

“I think getting out every day is good,” she said.

Dayhike & Diners gaze over Fairlee, Orford, and the Connecticut River as they near the top of the Palisades Trail. From left: Susanne Pacilio, Dunja Wildt and Carol Owen, all of Fairlee; Amanda DeRoy (in red) of Norwich; and Kathy Stroffolino of Hartland.

Kanaan Merrill of Bradford likes hitting the trail, but she isn’t comfortable doing it alone. Merrill worries about getting hurt with nobody around to help, so this monthly gathering works well for her. And today’s relatively short hike — maybe 2.5 miles, depending on how far you walked — fit her mood perfectly.