Life outside

Many parts of our lives happen inside four walls. But outside, the natural world keeps on ticking, and it’s always waiting to dazzle us. 

Indeed, the natural beauty that surrounds us and adds so richly to our lives, keeps many of us here in Vermont. In the Green Mountains, we’re blessed with numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors. Chief among them: the 272-mile Long Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and countless mountains to explore. I’ve seen some hikers making their way through the region already — another sign of increasing summer activity. (The Green Mountain Club, which oversees the Long Trail, regularly recommends hikes ranging from easy to difficult.) Swimming, biking, kayaking have all been on the rise as well, as more people get outside and more visitors drop in. 

There’s also a certain calm-amid-the-storm factor when it comes to being outside these days. We’ve all experienced it to some degree. With the turbulence out in the world, we need the re-centering effect nature can provide; its calming, focused presence gives us peace. And the more we embrace it, the stronger we’ll be, when we take that calmness back to the rest of our lives. 

I was reminded of this recently, when I took my first bike ride in months (yep, I was way overdue). Riding through Woodstock Village, with that refreshing air hitting my face, the beautiful scenes around the downtown re-charged me and I realized how much I’d missed enjoying the grandeur that surrounds us every day. Sometimes, we realize a little more what we have here. 

That ride reminded me that those opportunities to get outside are ones to cherish, and not ones to take for granted. Seeking those moments more often is a good goal to take with us. Life is better when we do.

— Gareth Henderson