It’s amazing how fast time flies and how much vacations are required. *Required* I don’t think the Texas heat has ever made me feel so miserable since I have moved there.
It’s amazing going home. First, you notice ever little thing that’s new – a new paved road, new homes, new buildings, new paint on a building, torn down barn, street lights, stop signs. In a small down you notice these things. I got off the plane and the first thing I wanted was a creemee (soft service ice cream for all you flat landers), with rainbow sprinkles. It was beyond delicious – just FYI. I’ve been home quite a few times since I moved to Texas back in 2008 but I think this is the first time that I’ve really just flat out missed it.
Vermont is a tiny state (2nd least populated in the country) and I’m sure its safe to say that my hometown has more dairy cows than folks. It should be an indication of how small it is based on the above statement showing the things that I have noticed have changed. Including they are building the third (at least) Dollar Store within two towns.
I had some flight issues on the way out of DFW – could’ve been worse but I made it out, out of the heat. Flying into Burlington really kind of hit me. Looking out the window, I saw we were flying up the western side of Lake Champlain over New York. First came the luscious green Adirondack mountains, which looked so calm, peaceful and relaxed. Sailboats were sitting in the coves of the lakes. This is where you come to relax!
Farther north up the lake came Burlington, VT. One of my favorite places, probably one of my favorite cities – it’s just gorgeous, calm, serene. The city sits on a hill, leads down to the waterfront. I’ll need to add a picture even though a picture will never do it any justice. You really need to see it for yourself. All the worries and stresses of the world seemed to disappear as soon as I saw the lake in the windows.
My friend Margo jokes that I can’t go anywhere without running into someone I know or have a friend in common. My 2nd connection on my flight (because there seems to be no direct flights to VT) was from Dulles to Burlington. I was sitting next to a Vermont Guard member (turns out he knows a guy I grew up with). We were flying into Burlington, and he says this has to be the most beautiful place ever, or something to that extent. He is right. Sometimes I feel like a fool to have ever left, but maybe I wouldn’t appreciate it so much now. I told him he was right and I couldn’t imagine a better place to have been raised. We both agreed on that hands down.
I walked off the plane onto the tiny tarmac of the two terminal airport. The air – perfect – mid 70’s. I traveled 2,000 miles to get the temperature down 30 degrees and it was well worth it. A slight breeze in the air, slight humidity, I am home. We drove the hour or so home with the windows down, the entire way (I couldn’t tell you the last time I did that – probably in April).
