Vermont Three

On a fine day, you'll find many cars parked along the dirt road that takes you to trails leading to the top of Wheeler Mountain. Given a specific point of entry, you have two options; the White Trail and the Red Trail. As their colors might indicate, the White Trail is easier than the Red Trail. This little chromatic system is handy if, say, you have a dog or two with you. Dogs tend to be less skilled at climbing up rock walls. And while the whole trail is beautiful, with interesting mushrooms and tree roots to draw your attention, when you get to the part where suddenly there are fewer trees and you can see a bald rock, you wonder, "How exactly am I going to do this?" But you figure it out and the payoff is so worth it. And looking around, you believe impossible things.

Chinese Proverb

Vermont Two

 One of the finest things you can do in Vermont is eat. The food is fresh and flavorful and uncomplicated. With my sister Carol around, one never knows when a picnic will break out, and one manages to work up an appetite when she produces a blanket, a variety of fruits, cheeses and bread. And maybe a chilled bottle of wine. And with views like this? I think of the Henry James quote, "Summer afternoon ... the two most beautiful words in the English language."

Vermont One

If you have not visited Vermont, I would like suggest you go now. And by that I mean right now. The weather is perfect with 40 degree mornings and warm, sunny days. If you do go, make sure to wake up before anyone else stirs and walk among the foggy fields covered in dew. Listen for migrating song birds. Giggle uncontrollably with your sister as you make coffee, and then drink it on the porch as the sun rises. Eat tomato cheddar soup with a slice of caramelized onion flat bread at a popular bistro in town. Take a walk around a pond that is deceptively larger than you had imagined. Eat apples right from the tree and breathe in the sweet pine trees all around. I have many more suggestions, but we'll start there.