Tag Archives: Vermont

A Winter Hike with Green Mountain Man (and My Favorite Photo of 2014)!

My brother (Mr. Green Mountain Man) and I have a tradition when I visit Vermont, we go on an outdoor adventure. He’s pretty good (really good) at taking me to some of my favorite spots to shoot photos and exposing me to new locations, no matter what season it is. He’s also great at running way ahead of me on a hike and making me feel like I’m a 400+lb person who can’t keep up on a walk. I’m not sure where he gets so much energy! Sometimes I don’t think he’s human (he practically ran up the entire hike up Mount Mansfield).

This year, we did something a little different – a winter hike. Our first destination attempt was to hike up to the windmills in Eden, Vermont where the view is “incredible”. I don’t doubt that it was but there was no where to park. Good thing there was a backup plan – hiking a trail to a deer camp in the middle of nowhere.

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Snow Covered Trees, Richford Vermont, Green Mountains

Mr. Green Mountain Man took this one!

Completely surrounded by white, glistening trees this is as close as anyone can ever get to a winter wonderland. I’m convinced. The woods were quiet, silent, where you could hear the crunch of the snow beneath every step, the chirping of the birds and the sound of the snow falling from the branches overhead. The sun was shining brightly, making the temperature perfect for a walk. Although it was below 30 degrees, the day was perfect to bask in the beauty of the outdoors.

We left the truck and began walking on the trail thru the woods. The snow wasn’t that deep, with a small ice crust sitting on top for the extra “crunch” sound with each step. Lucky enough, we didn’t even need our snowshoes. We traveled on. As with every adventure with Green Mountain Man, I hear a “let’s go this way” and off the trail we went. I immediately followed with a “we’ve done this before!”. Our trip just got a little longer. Not much longer as we shortly found ourselves back on the trail.

The walk led us thru the trees to a deer camp of a friend of my brothers. No running water. No electricity. No plumbing.

To my excitement, there happened to be a toilet just sitting on the front porch. Although my brother wasn’t enthused (and it took some convincing), my favorite photo of the entire year was born!

Vermont, Hike, Winter, Snow, Forest, Deer Camp, Vermont Deer Camp, Hunting Camp, Eden Vermont, Hunter, Toilet

My favorite picture of 2014. It’s perfect!

After a short photo shoot, the hike continued a little farther up and then back to the truck where we parked. Mr. Green Mountain Man made sure we didn’t go the most direct way, circling thru the trees and off the beaten path. (Perhaps we both have that in common, steering off the direct route, him in trees, myself on the roads.) He refused to take a picture of me on this throne previously so I had to settle for this log. He made it quite known that if I was to fall backwards, he was prompt and ready with the camera.

I think he was praying that I’d fall backwards…

We made it back to the truck, a little exhausted but both glad we had that chance together. It was such a beautiful day, the weather in the 20’s but with the snow, it was perfect. Our own snow globe!

Thanks again Mr. Green Mountain Man! You are the best!

Now onto the next adventure, who knows what it will be!

Tractor Parade of Lights

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One of the first items on the agenda when visiting Vermont around Christmas was the Tractor Parade of Lights. Yes – tractors! I’m from a county in Northern Vermont where dairy farming is prominent. Tractors, cows and the smell of fresh manure are common. Each June, we have a June Dairy Day Festival to honor the hard-working farmers. This holiday season, the farmers helped everyone to celebrate with a parade of lights.

Tractor Parade, Christmas Parade, Dairy Farmer Parade, St. Albans, Vermont, St. Albans Co-op

The first annual event was held on Main Street in St. Albans followed by festivities at the Co-op including visits with Santa, a couple of elves and even a cow (costumed), which was my nieces favorite part. Before the event, I brought my older niece to the store to pick out some canned goods to donate to the food shelf, as suggested. This is a great event for families and to show children at a young age what it means to give back.

Tractor Parade, Christmas Parade, Dairy Farmer Parade, St. Albans, Vermont, St. Albans Co-op

As for the tractors and lights, I’ll let the pictures tell the story. It was pretty hectic so not all the photos came out perfect from where we were but it gives a peek into next years festivities!

Tractor Parade, Christmas Parade, Dairy Farmer Parade, St. Albans, Vermont, St. Albans Co-op

Today I’m linking up with Communal Global, The Jenny Evolution, Photography Essentials, and Create With Joy for {Wordless Wednesday}.

Winter Wonderland 2014

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Vermont, Winter Wonderland, Vermont Christmas, Visit Vermont, Berkshire, Vermont

If you’re wondering why it’s been a little quiet around here, it’s because I took a little R&R. This past December, I headed back home to the great state of Vermont for some much needed family time and to soak in as much snow as possible. Each year, I begin to pray for snow around September on my forthcoming annual holiday trip. I’m not sure everyone back home feels the same way I do (definitely not my grandmother) but it’s what winter is all about! I was greeted in such delight. As beautiful as a postcard. No wait, it’s better than anything that could ever be captured on a postcard.

It almost doesn’t seem real to have grown up in such a beautiful place! One of the things that I love the most about being home (besides the beauty) is the relaxation. It’s astounding really. Letting go of everything that is hectic and just taking in what the world has to offer. Life slows down.

Then, as in most cases, I do what I do. I went for a drive…

Vermont, Winter Wonderland, Vermont Christmas, Visit Vermont, Montgomery, Red House

Montgomery has to be one of my favorite little towns in Northern Vermont. Small town everything – ski shop, grocery store, B&B’s and the “Covered Bridge Capital” of the United States. Some would call it a ski town with Jay Peak right up the road. It’s also a prime area for the “Vermont” photographs we love so much.

Vermont, Winter Wonderland, Vermont Christmas, Visit Vermont, Montgomery, Farmhouse

Finally, the mountains. Do I love my Green Mountains. Jay Peak resort is a short drive from my parents home. It’s where all the “locals” learn how to ski and ride. The resort has changed quite a bit in the last few years but there’s one thing that remains the same, the beautiful, awe-inspiring view from the trails.

Vermont, Winter Wonderland, Vermont Christmas, Raised Jay, Visit Vermont

Don’t let these photos fool you. It’s was the crisp snow colored trees everyday right up until Christmas Eve. A few friends say I brought up warmer weather from Texas. I brought the rain.

I’m proud to say that I grew up in a place where everyone knows your name. Sometimes it seems like a hinderance – with word traveling fast but at the same time, it’s really nice. Franklin County is a community. It’s a place where if you need something, someone will be there to help or will know someone who can. Where you can go to the grocery store and see friendly faces instead of strangers. There’s a comfort in that. More importantly, it’s a place where some of my absolute favorite people are.

I’ve mentioned a few times that there’s a group of us that have grown-up together. We’ve literally known each other since we were five. When we get together, it’s as if we haven’t skipped a beat. We are family. While I was home, I met up with a friend who is married to someone I went to school with. She said “You do know the bond you all have isn’t normal right? Not everyone has that.” and I kind of laughed. She then followed it up with “It’s not normal but I love it. It’s incredible.”. That’s what sets this place apart from all others. We’re a pretty lucky (and funny) bunch.

Christmas came, family and friends gathered and shared laughs and as quickly as December 2014 came, the holiday festivities came to a close. It was time to come back to Texas. I even had a great sendoff with this view. As always… amazing.

Vermont, Winter Wonderland, Vermont Christmas, Visit Vermont, Lake Champlain