scene and story - june

Well.....

This wasn't exactly what I was going for

- but, then...

this was my June

- blurry, but pretty and colorful all the same

My month started out with crazy, busy work deadlines,

the birth of our first granddaughter

- yeah, she's pretty much the sweetest baby ever -

(I may be a teensy bit biased)

- and ended with a much needed week off -

and a celebration for Greg's career transition -

many changes ahead...

On this particular day, Greg and I hiked to Stratton Pond in Vermont

It was the perfect day to roam around the woods,

picnic by the pond, at catch a much needed breath.

With any luck, July will be a bit more focused

- and while June passed by in a blur, it was a pretty wonderful month

I'm joining Sarah and Leon for Scene and story

Have a wonderful, safe, 4th of July!

thankful thursday

Hey - it's a beautiful day, let's take the kayaks out!

Or - maybe not...

While the thermometer may read 80 degrees

- the pond reads FROZEN

 - as in solid...

 - winter hangs tough in Vermont...

Yeah - well...

We did manage to enjoy the day with a hike on one of our favorite trails

- and a beautiful vista

which on this Easter afternoon felt like worshiping in the church of nature

For this day, I am very thankful

- So, I'm pretty sure the pond will thaw - eventually

- and we will be ready

Are you as excited as I am to get this summer-thing underway?

I'm joining Michelle for Thankful Thursday

braking for hikers

I brake for vagabonds hikers.

We caught up with Maggie and her friend, Greg, last week in Bennington, Vermont
 - which was an adventure in itself. Let's just say that google maps and my little Subaru heartily disagree on the definition of a road!

I spent the next few days making early morning dropoffs and evening pickups at various trailheads in Vermont, as they enjoyed a few days of "slackpacking".

One day - equipped with bug spray, a water bottle and hiking boots,
 I got the brilliant idea that rather than waiting in the car, I'd meet them on the trail.
And so began my short little adventure into the forest -
- alone -
- with the bugs, and bears and sounds of critters unseen -

I was quickly rewarded with a little cluster of lady slippers,

and a lovely stream accompanied by the calming sound of rushing water and birds singing,

and my wild imagination - alone - with the bugs and bears and sounds of critters unseen
- and after 45 minutes, I came upon a muddy spot that I couldn't hike around -
- and I thought - nope, I'm done for the day.
Yeah - backpacker I am not.

This was our last pick up and evening together in Killington, Vermont.
We enjoyed dinner at a great little Inn with an Irish Pub.
Surrounded by croc-clad feet, I could see that this is a favorite spot among backpackers.
(Which - yep - I'm not)

So - fewer than 500 miles to Mount Katahdin for these intrepid hikers.
I'm looking forward to our next pickup which, God willing, will be in Baxter State Park.
Did I mention the forest is full of bugs and bears and who knows what all those other critters are?

It's back to work for me, tomorrow -
but I surely enjoyed a few evenings filled with stories and laughter.

random 5 friday - random vacation thoughts

Happy Friday -

and a very happy birthday to my sister!

 it's time to join Nancy over at A Rural Journal for a little randomness

1) We were fortunate to begin our winter vacation with our daughters, Maggie and Laura.

Hiking the Overlook Trail  in a couple feet of snow was probably not one of my brighter ideas,

but we were pretty happy to have made it to the top.

2) Warming up between runs with a cup of hot chocolate,

Greg and I noticed a group of snowboarders taking photos of this snowboard hanging in the tavern at Bromley Mountain. Apparently an underdog - Alex, who grew up in Vermont, won Bronze in Sochi.

3) Turns out there were 16 Vermonters participating in the Sochi Olympics. 

This little state sure is proud of all their olympians!

4) Normally at this time I'd be feeling a little bummed out that vacation is coming to an end.

But not so fast - we are so lucky to have one of our very favorite couples joining us for the weekend!

:-)

5) Earlier this week, we got a call from our oldest daughter, Maggie -

letting us know she is headed to Georgia (today) a week earlier than planned to begin a through hike

of the Appalachian Trail.

This worried mom surely would appreciate all your prayers and well-wishes for her safety and well-being as she spends the next few months in the woods (eeek!!)

That's it for me - I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

52 photos - my "healthy you" hike

So we're doing this thing at work -

the "Healthy You Challenge" -

it's totally optional, but then, who doesn't want a little healthy challenge?

Yeah, well, anyway - we wear these pedometers and sync them up on a website that tells me:

"You average 3,000 steps per day - your colleagues average 7,500"

Say what!?!?!

Yeah, I know, I work in an office...

I guess there's nothing like being told I'm not keeping up with my colleagues to send me hiking.

Not that I'm competitive, or anything...

So on my walk I found:

sunglasses hanging on a tree

a tree growing out of a boulder

and a beautiful view at the top.

Ha! 11,300 steps - that should beat my colleagues average

errrrr - make me so much healthier :-)

This was a great little hike in Townshend State Park

I'm thinking we'll do it again in the Fall for a little leaf peeping.

For more great walks, head to 52 Photos Project where the theme this week is:

"I went for a walk and this is what I found:"

Have you taken any interesting walks lately?

bromley mountain on the appalachian trail

Last July, Greg and I took a hike on the Appalachian Trail

- a teensy-weensy portion of it.

Our hike took us to the top of Bromley mountain.

Have you ever wondered what your favorite ski slope looks like without snow?



No? -  neither have I, really...

But,

now I know, and it's actually very pretty!

And, perhaps, a wee bit odd...

On our way back down the mountain, we crossed paths with two young women with heavy backpacks.

We asked them where they were headed.

"Maine", they replied.

They had started in Georgia, four months before.

We enjoyed chatting with them for a few minutes - you know - "Do you ever stay in a hotel? Eat at a restaurant? Get off the trail?"
Poor things have probably been asked the same questions hundreds of times.

Their spirit and enthusiasm was truly amazing!
I really wish I had asked to take their picture and hope they made it to the end of the trail without any complications!

I would also like to thank those who offered advice on my photography workshop dilemma. I've decided another class at another time would probably be best for me right now.

Thanks, again!

I am joining Nancy at A Rural Journal and Lisa at Two Bears Farm

Thanks for dropping in!

hiking the overlook trail

Over Memorial Day weekend, we had the good fortune of extending our weekend in Vermont a couple extra days. So, we headed on back to Jamaica State Park (through the main entrance, this time) to hike the Overlook Trail.

It starts out following the West River.

I really can’t describe how restful it feels to walk through the forest with the sound of the river by your side.

We didn’t get far when we were rewarded with this

I think I’ve only seen a lady slipper maybe once or twice
Greg is actually the one who spotted it. I’m so proud of him – he’s really getting the hang of this whole slowing down and smelling the roses thing – so to speak.

The hike passes by an area on the river called the “dumplings”. I bet you can guess why.

This is one brave tree, trying to grow right in the middle of that boulder!

Up to this point, we were really just leisurely strolling along the river. But as you may have guessed by its name “Overlook”, there is a little climbing involved.

I neglected to take pictures of this part – you’ll understand in a minute.

The reward at the top of the trail

Sooooooo

Thankfully, this was a fairly short hike and it would have been wonderful
IF
we had remembered the bug spray.

Seriously, who forgets bug spray when they’re going on a hike?!?

Of course – if you're looking for a full-body workout, you can do as we did and walk briskly while maniacally flailing your arms and slapping yourself.

Me? I already loaded my knapsack with spray, wipes, clip-ons...

Believe it or not, we still had a great time – but – lesson learned!

Thanks for dropping in!

hiking hamilton falls

Last weekend was a perfect weekend. Have you ever taken one of those magazine quizzes to find out something like - "What is your decorating style?" One of the questions will be “Describe your perfect weekend” and the choices will be something like:

a) Fly to Paris on a private jet for a weekend shopping spree
b) Go on a Yoga retreat at a secluded luxury spa for a weekend of pampering
c) Be a guest at the Academy Awards and party the night away with the stars

You get the point.
Yeah, my weekend was nothing like that.

My weekend began on Friday morning – waking up to the sound of birds outside my window and enjoying a cup coffee on the deck.

After flying home from San Diego on the red-eye (by way of Seattle) the day before, this felt like my own slice of heaven - and it set the tone for a very laid-back sort of weekend.

Friday was an unusually warm April day for Vermont, and perfect for hiking. After lazing most of the morning away, we headed to the deli counter of our favorite village market (D&K Grocery in Jamaica, Vermont) to pick up some sandwiches and water - necessary nourishment for our trek. Jamaica State Park doesn’t officially open for the season until May 4 (we didn't realize this at the time - the big "CLOSED FOR THE SEASON" sign clued us in), so we drove over to Ball Mountain Lake - which leads to the same trails.

Our hike began at the Ball Mountain Dam

As you can see, our incredibly dry winter has led to very low water levels.

Much of the hike follows the West River -

(yep, that's Greg peaking over the railing)

Even this far north -

woodland flowers are showing life

After hiking more than two miles (one mile uphill)

we arrived at the base of Hamilton Falls

Ummmmmm, yeah (or should I say, Ohmmm yea), Vermont tends to attract new-age hippies.

But this was the perfect spot to eat those sandwiches.

The only problem with beginning a hike at the top of the dam...

Yep, that's right - we have to go back up to the top...

We knew this as we walked DOWN the switchbacks at the beginning...

but somehow, it takes on a different perspective from this angle (oh yea, and after hiking a few miles).

Next time, we're starting at Jamaica State Park and hiking to the top of the falls.

One more view of Spring on the West River

I guess the fresh air made me a bit camera-happy.

A map of the hiking trails at Jamaica State park are attached here.

Thanks for dropping in!