Tuesday, 27 October 2015

Todd Hotaling - Understanding the Art of Landscape

Todd Hotaling is not only an expert when it comes to landscaping and stonework design, but he also understands the art behind the landscaping industry itself. There are a number of landscaping companies in the industry that don’t understand that landscaping isn’t just a means to make money, but is a form of art as well. He is the owner and operator of Champlain Shores Landscaping and Stonework, and has been successfully serving clients in the state of Vermont for over ten years. He looks to the natural beauty of Vermont for inspiration, and he tries to incorporate that natural beauty in all his clients’ designs.
Todd Hotaling
Todd Hotaling
Champlain Shores Landscaping and Stonework is dedicated to serving the client’s unique needs, while also staying committed to the artistry that has made their success a reality. In every design, whether it be landscaping or stonework, the experts put in the necessary time it takes to craft beautiful and flowing designs suited to the individual needs of the client. When other landscaping companies simply build a stonewall design, the experts at Champlain Shores Landscaping and Stonework build a wall that inspires through the use of movement, structure, and color. A stonewall is another opportunity to show their creativity when it comes to landscape design, and they continually build beautiful works of art.

Todd Hotaling prides himself on his ability to honor the art of landscaping through unique and stunning designs. He is always looking for inspiration throughout the natural environment of Vermont, and thoroughly enjoys incorporating that inspiration into the designs he creates for his clients. There is a reason Champlain Shores Landscaping and Stonework has been trusted by clients for more than a decade: they understand the art of landscape. For more information, check out: www.champlainshoresdesign.com

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

Three Landscaping Tips That Will Save You Money

Landscaping projects are expensive and can be time-consuming. You want to make sure that you are getting a bargain on the supplies without compromising the quality of said supplies. This can be challenging because prices fluctuate seasonally. Here are three landscaping tips that will save you some money.

Todd Hotaling
Todd Hotaling
The first thing that you should be doing before you even start landscaping is coming up with a plan and design. This is important because planning and designing will tell you where you are spending money, how much money, and where you can save money.

Don’t do anything that you have any doubts over. If you want a patio but don’t like the design that you have come up with, don’t build the patio. Save your money for a time where you find and design the patio that you want. Essentially, only spend money on things that you are sure about. Save money on things you are on the fence about for a time when you are ready to be more decisive about your landscaping decisions.

It's almost impossible to complete a landscaping project at once. If you do your landscaping project in phases, you will save a lot of money. You will be able to save on credit cost and progress as you can afford. This allows you time to evaluate your plans, make adjustments, and complete your next phase efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.

Todd Hotaling is a professional landscaper and owns Champlain Shores Landscaping and Stonework in Bristol, Vermont. He has a degree in plant and soil science with an emphasis in landscaping from the University of Vermont.

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Three Tips for First-Time and Beginner Fly-Fishers



Fly-fishing is an artistic form of fishing that requires skill and technique. It is a relaxing way to fish and can be mesmerizing to watch. Learning to fly fish is difficult, but like most things can be mastered with patience and practice. Here a few tips for first-time and beginner fly fishers to consider.

Todd Hotaling
Todd Hotaling


  • Assemble your equipment. You will need a graphite fly rod that will need to be put together. Assemble the rod by starting with the tip section and attention it to the middle section and the butt section. Gently twist the pieces together so that they are tight. Follow the guidelines given with the rod.
  • Know the terminology of your rod. The bottom section of the rod is called the butt. The circular metal pieces that are attached to your rod are called the guides, and the real is the piece that is hanging on the bottom of your rod. There are additional guides with differing names but, in general, those pieces are called the guides.
  • Figure what grip you prefer to use. Beginners are usually taught to crank the real using their left hand unless they are left-handed in which cause they should crank the real using their right hand. It doesn't matter which hand you cast with, but you went to bring in a fish using your strongest hand.


Todd Hotaling lives in Vermont and enjoys fly-fishing on his days off. He is a professional landscaper and owns landscaping company, Champlain Shores Landscaping and Stonework in Bristol, Vermont.

Monday, 31 August 2015

The Best Three Countries to Visit in Southeast Asia



People who travel to Southeast Asia for the first time quickly fall in love with this region of the world. The region is vast and beautiful, so you need to spend your time there efficiently, making sure that you go to the places that you want to visit. Chances are that you will visit the area again because the moment you leave, you will feel a pull telling you go back. Here are the three best countries to visit in Southeast Asia.

Todd Hotaling
Todd Hotaling

  • Thailand is a fascinating mix of urban and rural culture. You should spend two to three days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai. In Chiang Mai, you will visit magical temples, experience the most delicious food in the world, and possibly come face-to-face with tigers. Thailand, and especially Bangkok, is viewed as the hub of Southeast Asia.
  • Cambodia will provide you with a culture shock. It is not the wealthiest Southeast Asian country, but it is the most culturally genuine. Visit the town of Siem Reap, which is the gateway to the famous and historical Angkor Wat temple. You can easily spend three days in this area, soaking in the history and culture.
  • Start you trip in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City and make your way up the coast. You could easily spend three weeks traveling the coast of Vietnam stopping in Da Nang, Hue, to Hanoi and Halong Bay. Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is very tourist friendly.
Todd Hotaling is a professional landscaper who owns a landscaping company in Bristol, Vermont. He loves to travel through Southeast Asia.

Friday, 21 August 2015

Three Vital Tips for Beginner Snowboarders

Snowboarding is a difficult sport to pick up. For most, improvement comes slowly, and you have to be patient and committed to the idea that you won't be good right away. It is a difficult sport for children to learn because of those reasons. It's easy to get hurt and frustrated if you view the process of learning to snowboard as a skill that you develop rather than an experience that you gain. Here are three vital tips for all beginner snowboarders.

·         You should always wear protective gear. Wearing protective gear is both safe and will make you learn faster. You don't want to get hurt or be discouraged by the fact that you are falling. If you wear protection, you will protect your body but also your mind from quitting.


Todd Hotaling

·         Some consider it a rite of passage to learn to snowboard in icy conditions. You should ignore that because learning in these conditions is difficult. Wait till the afternoon to take your lesson because the snow will start melting a bit. It will be easier to learn in these conditions. It's also good to understand how conditions work when the best time of the day is to hit the mountains, and what kind of conditions you like best.

·         Powder snow is the best snow to snowboard in. You will feel it the first time you make a turn on a powder. It allows you to carve through the snow, weightlessly like you’re surfing. Look for untracked snow because you will be able to make more creative lines while going down.


Todd Hotaling is a landscaper in Bristol, Vermont. During the winter months, when business is slow, he likes to go snowboarding.