The power of brilliant moments

A scene along River Road in Woodstock, Vt., on Monday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The late afternoon sun is setting a bit earlier these days, reminding me that the first sparkle of light on a sunny day is a precious moment. Many of us miss that first glimmer of brilliance, edging its way over the hills until subtlety gives way to splendor. 

That last part, the splendor filling the sky, is what we remember most. But the entire display begins with one ray of light, leading to many. That single ray is powerful enough to illuminate any point of darkness, because it’s never separate from the greater light source. 

Stunning, ever-present illumination filled the Ottauquechee River corridor on Monday afternoon, as my wife and I walked the dog along River Road in Woodstock. I felt life coursing through the landscape, from the squirrel scampering up a tree, and the birds soaring over the water, to runner and cyclists enjoying same stretch of road. Plants glimmered in the sun, even in the forest shadows along the road, catching what light they could. We felt the gentle breeze passing by as it moved the plants and tree branches nearby. Reaching a stone wall, the view opened up to a wider scene with the river and surrounding landscape, seamlessly existing together, seasoned partners through decades of changes. 

Indeed, though change comes and goes, there still are many expressions of good in the world, like the progress of a river current, or the strength of roots underground giving life a firm foundation. Some of those expressions are seen, others unseen. Some deeds receive public reward, while others quietly move forward outside of the spotlight. We may not always see goodness in its most conspicuous forms, but it is still powerful, persistent, and existing among us. Even its smallest expressions carry profound meaning, though they may struggle sometimes to be noticed. Whatever is happening today, we should remember that even the faintest glimmers of light can grow, top the dark hills, and fill the sky of tomorrow.

— Gareth Henderson

A journey of camping, and patience

A rural scene just off Interstate 81 in Wytheville, Virginia. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Camping is booming business, and we saw that first hand on our recent journey westward and back. The entire industry is thriving, from gear to RVs and campgrounds.

We camped in or passed through 15 states in 12 days. Our first stop was in upstate New York, where we set up our tent at a KOA campground outside of Cooperstown. Many of the people there brought the whole family with them, reflecting a growing trend of parents and young children visiting campgrounds, many for the first time, according to KOA data in North America. From 2014 to 2020, the total percentage of KOA campers with minor children in the household went up from 41 to 54%. The industry continues to skyrocket this year, even above summer 2019 levels, as we learned in Cooperstown.

Before last week, our camping experience had been limited to tenting in Maine — and usually in the same spot in early June, just after dropping off our daughter at summer camp. But over the states we traveled, the great interest in getting outside was clear, even if some of the experience, well, wasn't exactly "roughing it". I'm at the point in life where campgrounds with better amenities do help me sleep at night. We became KOA members, and KOA sites have a baseline of amenities in most of their franchised locations.

Along the way, we stayed almost entirely at KOA campgrounds, and there were plenty of people enjoying their RVs, cabins and tents. Some of our favorite tenting was at KOAs in Cooperstown, New York, and also one outside of Nashville, Tennessee — where the individual sites were nicely spaced out and on grass. We stayed in cabins near St. Louis and also Columbus, Ohio, and we attempted to tent in the rain in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, before intensifying weather put the damper on that plan. We ended up driving for a little while, before the little while turned into 90 minutes, and we finally — after many attempts — found a nice hotel room in Washington D.C. It was a blessing in disguise, allowing us to get an earlier start on touring D.C. the next day and a very comfortable bed.

Farmland along our detour from Route 24, passing through Cadiz, Kentucky. (Gareth Henderson)

On the whole, the camping experience was an enjoyable one, which can be done on a minimal budget. But it's really the experience that sticks with you — the time with family, the kind folks who help along the way, and the fresh air and scenic sunrises out in the open. Most of the campsites were just a bit off the highway, offering some beautiful rolling hills and plains along the route. We were able to see farms and life in each of these communities. The humanity that we saw, and how everyday Americans are living, cannot be captured in a highway hotel or interstate. The stories of people passing through were priceless. They are also grounded the fundamental goodness of neighbor helping neighbor, an age-old story.

One of the overarching themes of the trip was patience, because at any point, plans can change — and a couple times they did. The night we spent outside of Nashville was a surprise-tenting night. A major highway, Route 24, was shut down for several miles due to paving with a detour over a narrow county road that had backed-up highway traffic as far as the eye could see. My wife took a left on an unmarked road. For part of the way, we had no cell service and it was a leap of faith into some of the most beautiful country. We had no idea where the road went at first, but we eventually went from western Kentucky to Tennessee and found a wonderful little campground, right by a cow pasture, which very much reminded us of home. It was another proof that patience, with a bit of waiting and trusting, can go a long way, even when the long way head of you seems like a lot to handle. On the road, its rewards were great, and interlaced with some beautiful, scenic camping we hope to repeat some day. The road is always waiting.

— Gareth Henderson

The road of kindness

The cornfield by the Cooperstown KOA Journey in New York. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A pleasant, cool breeze, sprawling corn fields, the clip-clop of a horse-and-buggy rolling along in the distance — all these things were part of the scenic environment that waited for us on Saturday morning.

It's day 2 of our family road trip, which started in Maine, came through Massachusetts yesterday, and stayed the night in upstate New York. We spent the night in our tents at the Cooperstown KOA Journey in Richfield Springs. Waking up this morning, you can imagine, I went straight for the camera to capture the fields which buffered the lower end of the campground. The higher side of the property abuts an oat farm. It came as no surprise to find that this KOA used to be part of a 280-acre farm formed back in the 1800s — it became a campground in 1974.

This morning, several other people were out on the lawn with their cameras, too. You can't let the moment pass you by on a partly-sunny day, when the light could disappear in seconds.

What a stark contrast between the clogged-up traffic that led us to Interstate 90, and the majestic treasure nature greeted us with this morning. Life is indeed a show of contrasts, however one constant theme throughout our trip so far, is the fact that people are kind and they want to help. Humanity is grounded in expressions of love and grace. Arriving at the KOA late at night, we took a couple wrong turns on the way to our tent site (though the map we had was a good one). It didn't take long before several folks saw our plight, left their campfire and came over to patiently re-direct us. It was a pleasant, fun interaction, among people who were just loving the chance to enjoy the outdoors for a while.

And that's a theme these days. The year 2019 was a record-breaker for campgrounds, and this summer has even surpassed that industry-wide by 30 to 60% depending on location, according to Kate Kemker, co-owner of the Cooperstown KOA Journey.

"Everyone who can get out, is getting out," she said. "It's a great time to own a campground."

It's a great time to enjoy the wonders of nature, as well. We will enjoy seeing the upcoming vistas, the learning, and other new friends we’ll get to experience on the road.

— Gareth Henderson

State to host Teen Conservation Weekends this summer

The Green Mountains as seen from Woodstock, Vermont, in summer. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Young outdoor enthusiasts will get a chance to experience Vermont’s natural environment and learn together this summer during the state’s Teen Conservation Weekends. 

Announced this week, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is offering two new Teen Conservation Weekends to be held at the Edward F. Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton this August.

“We are pleased to announce a fun and exciting opportunity for teens ages 15 to 17,” said Hannah Phelps, camp coordinator. “The new Teen Conservation Weekends will allow us to provide teens with an exciting weekend of quality environmental education. Campers will arrive Saturday morning and immediately begin participating in Hunter Education programing, before backpacking out to a remote pond for an evening of camping and fishing.”

It’s also a welcome opportunity to connect with peers and enjoy the last days of summer, Phelps added.

“Teen Conservation Weekends are the perfect way for teens to unplug and engage with peers outdoors before heading back to the classroom,” she said.

Each weekend is limited to 25 participants.  Girls can attend on Aug. 14 and 15, and boys will be there Aug. 21 and 22. All participants are required to complete their Hunter and Bowhunter certificates ahead of time to allow for more hands-on fun throughout the weekend, state officials said. Teens will also be expected to only bring gear they can carry themselves while backpacking.

For registration, cost and other details, go to Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s Teen Conservation Weekend web page, where an application can be downloaded. Sponsorships are available on a limited basis. Any questions can go to Phelps at Hannah.phelps@vermont.gov or 802-249-3199. 

— Gareth Henderson

60-degree temps are returning; so is hiking

Flowers shine in the sun in Killington, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

We haven’t been able to say this in a while: We have four days of over-60-degree weather in the Woodstock, Vermont, forecast from Wednesday to Saturday. Tuesday is close, expected to hit 57.

The increasing warm weather has meant more time outside, more sports, more wildlife — all the things we love about the warmer season. It also means mud season, which requires some careful attention when planning hiking trips. The Green Mountain Club, which maintains the Long Trail, asks people to avoid using trails with mud, even if they’re not officially closed (as many state forest trails are, due to the conditions). 

But lower-elevation trails dry out faster, and the club has some suggestions for what trails to hike that are below 2,500 feet. Mount Ascutney in Windsor, Mount Philo in Charlotte, and “dirt roads statewide” are on the list of staff favorites. Also on the site are suggested day hikes by location and mileage, as well as state-owned trails that are open by location and mileage. The Green Mountain Club has some words of wisdom for hikers at its website, under their “Other things to consider” section.

The group also correctly states, “Mud season is also the time when the natural world comes alive.” They provide some additional ways to explore the natural world, such as this article on spring peepers or their video on Alpine plant communities. For those history-lovers, the video shares some historical notes on the Green Mountain Club and its many contributions to Vermont.

The joy of such familiar outdoor activities, like the gladness of seeing old friends again, adds a certain freedom to life. It’s a freedom that a sunny spring day with a calm breeze uniquely provides, with its natural atmosphere of progress. That uplifting feeling supports us as we continue through 2021, it helps sustain hope, and it reminds us that so many of the things we love about the Green Mountains are still there to greet us in the outdoors. That’s a comforting thought — one that makes the sun shine a little brighter.

— Gareth Henderson

Awakening to spring

It’s mud season, as evidenced on Hartland Hill Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The brightness of an earth renewed illuminated the landscape to mark the first day of spring 2021 on Saturday. As the ground softens and new life takes root, the world is awakening and stretching its dormant roots.

The abundant plant life anticipates the changes, seeking the light of spring. People also embrace that light, welcoming the promise of springtime with its renewal, hope and vibrancy. The air on Saturday was full of that promise, and during our first family bike ride of the year, we could just feel that peace, the calming approach of that familiar season. Riding down the road, the sun fell on newly exposed muddy ground, brooks near the road bubbled, and birds greeted the open air with song. I loved the sense of family we experienced as we continued our ride. Just as the trees are rooted, the togetherness we felt also had a firm foundation we took with us as we enjoyed the afternoon.

In Woodstock Village, people walked the streets, some also biked, and customers filled the socially-distanced patio seating at Mon Vert Cafe, joyfully taking in the first day of spring. Nearby at Woodstock Sports, the crowds were coming through as well. The sunnier days have certainly brought more customers, especially to the bike shop, Woodstock Sports co-owner Peter Johnston said.

"We get calls pretty much every day," he said regarding the bikes. The store has seen a fair amount of business lately from families who have moved to the area within the past year, and are looking to tune-up their bikes, or get new sneakers or other outdoor wear.

"Hiking is going to be very strong this year," Johnston noted. "Everybody wants to get outside."

Like other warmer days, Saturday seemed to bring even more of that business, with its high approaching 60 degrees.

"It's a beautiful first day of spring, you can't ask for more than that," Johnston said.

The good news is, that pattern is set to continue into the week, per local forecasts. Saturday is the first in a string of four sunny days coming up, each with temps in the low- to mid-60s.

With that, as the winter weather gradually fades, we look forward to more signs of spring. The ever-warming air fills us with the joyful feeling that a new season is on its way. This year, that feeling carries something extra with it, the hope of a very different year from the past 12 months. The harmonious beauty and vibrancy of spring encourage us to continue toward that goal, at this annual time of renewal. As we look forward to the full effect of spring, let's embrace hope for one another and nurture that precious sense of community we so cherish. That provides a firm foundation for progress, and a source of strength that never runs out.

— Gareth Henderson

Taking a hike

A stunning view from the top of Cadillac Mountain. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After no camping at all in 2020, we opted to break that pattern this weekend and head to Maine for our first family camping trip of the year.  Mount Desert Island is home to many campgrounds dotting the Island’s edge, including the Oceanside KOA, where we stayed.

We headed to Bar Harbor in one of Maine's numerous "green" counties — meaning Vermont has given Hancock County the green color on its non-quarantine travel map, so we don’t have to quarantine upon the return trip. 

As one does in Maine, we took full advantage of the outdoors. We met some friends for several enjoyable outdoor excursions — including a bike ride around Eagle Lake and a day hike up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Between the autumn beauty of riding a bike with woods all around, and the incredible blending of scenery up the mountain, these were special places to behold. 

I'm sure I haven't done this much hiking at once since my mid-teens, but it's well worth the experience of being surrounded by nature's harmonious beauty and its many expanses. The hike has some lovely forested sections going up, with some fun, half-hidden shaded spots where you could sit on a rock and write for a while. Eventually, forest blends with rock faces until the rock takes over. In one spot fairly high up, you dip down into a forested trail with a beautiful field off to the side — including a few more autumn colors. Then it's quickly back up the rock faces, over some more shaded trail, to the summit — where you can see the Maine coast and its numerous harbors. On the other side, the view is nothing but ocean. It was a moment of awe to see that majestic wall of blue meeting the sky, especially when, on the way back down, you can view it over the tops of pine trees. A Vermonter doesn't get to put those two things together in his writings, unless he's somewhere like Maine. To finish off our day, we headed to the Thirsty Whale for the lobster rolls and enjoyed a lovely late dinner overlooking the harbor.

Though the mountain and ocean scenes were beautifully inspiring, for me the most inspiring part was interacting with other hikers on Saturday, though these were mostly little more than friendly greetings. They were multiple moments of kindness, and those moments always do good things for you. One memorable moment later that night was when our car battery died just before heading out for lobster, and not one, but two, total strangers stepped forward to help get our car started.

During the Cadillac trek, everyone was wonderful and always ready to share a smile and sometimes a bit of humor. Mask-wearing was common along the trail, as was social distancing, very respectfully done. It appears many have become used to hiking in these unique times of change, but one thing hasn't changed: Our inclination toward being inclusive and kind to others. That was the best part of the weekend, and one I plan to take home with me. 

— Gareth Henderson

Celebrating the new East End Park

The sign for the long-awaited East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont, greets the community on Monday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A decade of work to transform Woodstock's East End into a new park by the Ottauquechee River has come to fruition. 

On Monday, volunteers who made the project happen welcomed the public to a grand opening for the park and also for the new Ottauquechee River Trail, which offers public access to the scenic waterway.

The park area, running alongside the river at Woodstock's East End, has an amphitheater with stone work by Olde World Masonry, with a labyrinth just below it created by Toby Bartles. Just a couple more elements are being completed at the other end: a slide for kids to enjoy, and also a rock scramble, being made by stone mason Dan Snow,  which will offer a rock climbing experience at the site. 

This blending of scenic beauty and fun is a world apart from the East End's earlier days, when it was used as a snow dump in the winter and was an overgrown eyesore the rest of the year. The community coalesced around this project and was led by Sustainable Woodstock's East End Action Group. Joby Thompson, a member of that very group, was part of discussions in 2009, when the park was just an idea. 

Joby Thompson (center) shows Townsend Belisle and his daughter, Devi, plans for the slide and rock scramble at the East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

"It's a dream come true, after 10 years of hard labor and many processes," Thompson said Monday, standing next to the labyrinth named in her honor. 

Barbara Barry and Mary MacVey were also there along the way, with Thompson and many other volunteers, through numerous work days of clearing brush where the park now stands. 

"What it was before was a waste of a gorgeous view," Barry said, highlighting the river’s grandeur. "Now it's a great place for events and for the kids to run around." 

MacVey said it may still be an undiscovered space for some, who are used to driving by the area. But based on Monday's steady turnout, that is changing. 

"Our new entrance makes a huge announcement, that you have arrived," she said. 

Part of the amphitheater at the new East End Park in Woodstock, Vermont, is shown. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The East End Park sign — created by Jeff Sass, Jim Dow and Art Garges — stands at the entrance by Route 4 and is topped with a railroad bell, donated by Polly Bigham. From 1875 to 1933, the park and adjacent land was the terminus and turnabout for the train that ran the 14-mile line from White River Junction to Woodstock. Also adding to the site's history, is a stunning view across the river of Billings Farm land, part of the legacy of conservation here. Sustainable Woodstock Director Michael Caduto called it a "nexus" of Woodstock land use history. 

"It's just a fantastic collaborative project for the good of the people in Woodstock and the people who visit here," Caduto said of the park, noting all project funds were privately raised. He also said it's rare to have a trail which offers such great access to a river. 

Windsor County Sen. Dick McCormack, who joined Monday's crowd, agreed and said a river offers something special to the place. 

"It's something people want to share," he said. 

Jack Rossi, a local architect and longtime member of the East End Action Group, was enjoying this moment. 

"It's really exciting and rewarding to see it come to fruition." 

— Gareth Henderson

Learning outside

A scene by the Kedron Brook in Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Throughout the country, there’s a growing interest in using the outdoors for education, and here in Vermont we’re blessed with many opportunities to do just that. Amid the pandemic, experts say outdoors is also one of the safest places to be, while using distancing and other precautions of course. 

Naturally, taking the classroom outside requires some new approaches to learning, since so much of education traditionally happens indoors. In a recent interview, Paul Gambill, executive director of the Montpelier-based Community Engagement Lab (CEL), spoke about some solutions from a think tank with educators and teaching artists in June. A big theme was exploring safe ways to get kids outdoors for learning opportunities, especially amid the pandemic. 

“Across the state, there’s exciting energy around engaging in new ways of learning, around learning how to make the move towards personalized learning that Vermont’s been trying to put in place,” Gambill said. “We have to find those entry points that really activate the student’s intrinsic motivation to learn.”  

One idea led to the Watershed Project, part of CEL’s annual Project Design Lab for fall. The Project Design Lab helps school teams create an arts-integrated project working with master teaching artists and national leaders in project-based learning. 

In the watershed initiative, school teams have the opportunity to work with the artists and project partners to teach students about the importance of watersheds, while using art as a central part of the process. The specific goal of this project is “to deepen our understanding and sense of ownership in the health of the watershed, and how the health of the watershed is interwoven with the health of our communities.”  

Gambill said such outdoor education opportunities in Vermont can harness the expertise that exists in areas such as farming, forestry and conservation, which offer rich educational experiences. 

“Those are such a part of the Vermont culture already,” he said.

Artist Alissa Faber and photographer Renee Greenlee are the teaching artists on the Watershed Project, and its partners include the Vermont Energy Education Program, Friends of the Winooski River and Friends of the Mad River. A grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program is funding the project’s implementation. The Watershed Project is limited to six schools; find more information at this link. 

Gambill said CEL will work with school teams in the Project Design Lab (via Zoom) in late September or early October, and then start implementing the various projects after that.

In the planning process, each school team identifies community partners for their project, as well. Gambill thought community organizations might be able to expand their role in educational initiatives in the months ahead. 

“I think there’s a real opportunity for communities to look at their role as a learning partner,” he said.  

It will be exciting to see the educational innovation taking place in the coming months and years, as outdoor learning will likely become a larger part of the overall picture. Naturally, this will look different at different schools, but it’s certainly an opportunity to re-imagine educational design and delivery, and perhaps pave the way for new, local programs that provide students with valuable experiences. The time for innovation is here. 

— Gareth Henderson

VINS works to meet educational needs

Shown here is part of the Forest Canopy Walk at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vermont. (Photo Provided)

The education sector is looking to the outdoors for solutions, and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vermont, is working on ways to help.

Teaching kids about the natural world is central to the VINS mission, and as the start of school nears on Sept. 8, the organization is in full planning mode. The adaptable nature of VINS’ educational programming has it well-suited for a time when flexibility is key, according to Hannah Gelroth, VINS’ director of school programs and teacher professional development. 

“It’s built on the idea of meeting the teachers where they are and what their needs are,” Gelroth said. 

While many schools are planning to use hybrid models of in-person and virtual education, VINS is considering how to combine outside and virtual modes within its lessons offered online. The organization added a host of at-home education resources on its website after schools shuttered in March. VINS is also thinking about how best to offer resources for schools and other experiences.

“We’re also looking at expanding our homeschooling offerings,” Gelroth said. “That’s another way we can be a resource. Some of our lessons will be virtual, and we can expand that as well.”

VINS offers programs for students of all grade levels, highlighting creative design, observation and writing about the environment they’re observing. Experiences for preschool groups are also available. 

One of the online offerings for grades K-5, is titled, “Building a Beaver Dam — Can you build a beaver dam that can stop the flow of water?,” gives a material list, prompt questions and a link to the VINS education department for assistance. It encourages children to go outside and have a hands-on experience, while also using the features of an online platform.

A new partnership will be a major factor as these plans coalesce. After March when schools closed, FourScienceVT was formed — that’s a partnership between VINS, the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, the Montshire Museum in Norwich and ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington. Together, these four organizations plan to help develop innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) experiences for Vermonters in a variety of formats. At VINS, Gelroth and her team of educators are part of a committee working on that effort.

“They’re involved in a discussion really to reimagine what additional things VINS will be able to offer, both to schools and also to homeschooling,” said Charlie Rattigan, VINS’ executive director. 

VINS’ annual Science Symposium offers another big opportunity for this important time in education, though planning for the next event is not yet complete. Rattigan sees a chance to “broaden the audience” and include homeschoolers, since the symposium can possibly blend virtual and at-home experiences.

For the week-long symposium, VINS educators “work with community schools to identify a local environmental problem, then use science and research to solve it,” as the online description says. 

“Each day has a keynote speaker, a scientist doing real world work,” Rattigan noted. 

In 2019, over 12 schools and 450 kids from elementary and middle schools took part in the symposium, where they presented solutions to real-life environmental issues. This year’s event was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the symposium presents an opportunity which is part of ongoing discussions. 

As for schools, VINS plans to make its campus available, including its outdoor classroom and meeting spaces where a class or pod can hold a lesson. 

“Teachers can run it, but also a VINS educator,” said Rattigan, adding the team is considering how to best promote those resources now.

VINS is also weighing how to use its Forest Canopy Walk amid its offerings in the coming weeks, and virtual field trips may also be part of the future. One school is looking for grant funding to have the VINS educators work with their teachers on best practices for outdoor education. 

“That may be a model for us to offer other schools and teachers as well for a professional development component,” Gelroth said. 

As planning efforts continue, the organization is supported by donors who have given generously during this time of need. Rattigan said a number of foundations have stepped up to give more than their usual grant request. 

“We’re encouraged that people recognize VINS is delivering valuable stuff, and they want to support it and make sure it weathers this storm,” he said. 

Some of those supporters have been with VINS for many years, and they’ve helped the organization close in on another milestone. VINS turns 50 in 2022, as Assistant Executive Director Mary Davidson Graham pointed out.

“It says a lot about our programs and how valuable we are to the community,” she said. 

— Gareth Henderson

The VINS Nature Center in Quechee is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Face coverings and social distancing are required. Visit the website for more details on programming.

Hiking still a big draw in 2020

More hikers hit the trails in Vermont earlier than usual this year, as people sought the calm of the outdoors during the initial weeks of the pandemic. That interest in outdoor recreation keeps bringing locals and visitors out to the wilds of nature as summer goes on.

The uptick in trail activity started in April, according to Keegan Tierney, director of field programs for the Green Mountain Club, which oversees the Long Trail.

“Once lockdown orders started to go into place, we saw a significant uptick in trail usage, at least in Vermont,” Tierney said. “The parking lots were full on any nice weekend.” 

The club certainly heard a lot about how glad hikers were — and still are — to escape into nature for a while.

“Folks are just looking for a way to get out and just feel safe, getting to a place where they can relax,” Tierney said. 

While the Green Mountain Club has delayed some trail maintenance due to the pandemic, the group continues to monitor trail and summit activity, as usual. Early-season activity at the major summits of Mansfield, Killington and Stratton dropped while summer resorts were shut down, but those numbers bounced back soon after resorts reopened. However, Tierney said some of the club’s less frequented trails saw increased usage, such as the Stratton Pond Trail/LT loop in southern Vermont and the trails at Camels Hump. Thru-hiker numbers on the Appalachian Trail continue to be low as most thru-hikers left the trail when Appalachian Trail Conservancy put out a closure order in March. As of June 26, all trails and facilities on the Long Trail and AT in Vermont were opened. 

The AT released safety information for hikers amid the pandemic, and the Green Mountain Club also published COVID-related guidelines on its website.

The region’s numerous trails continue to offer an escape from daily life and a chance to reconnect with nature, as they always have. While those needs take on a unique meaning now and are clearly a draw for people beyond these borders, the groups managing the LT and AT have been proactive in dealing with this new normal. With that being said, these special places will continue to be important resources in 2020 and beyond. 

— Gareth Henderson

The home we all share

We've been blessed by the beauty of our natural surroundings, especially over the past four months. Indeed, the scenic quality of nature, even if viewed for a moment, has been a constant comfort during these times. It's dependable; spring and summer always arrive.

As we all remember, the first signs of spring were uniquely magical this year. That first robin on the tree by the window, that first flower sprouting, made one pause to see and hear nature saying, "This one thing is still the same." Those powerful moments helped us carry hope forward into one more day, and into the next.

Those signs assured us of something else: Summer was on its way. With nature welcoming us outside after these long weeks, it's no surprise to see so many people getting outside in Vermont and throughout the wider region. Sometimes, it seems like every other car passing by carries a few kayaks or bicycles. Local trails are popular now, and any body of water is a chance for folks to get relief from the strong summer heat. Of course, the local region's natural beauty is a draw in any warm season, and that's still true now, though tourism is down overall amid travel restrictions. That said, the visitors who are able to come up are very much out and about enjoying the mountains and valleys that make up this outdoor haven we call home. 

Having all these beautiful surroundings right in our backyard is truly special, and this year is reminding us how important nature is, wherever we are. It’s important because it connects us all —we live within it, not separate from it. And so, it’s up to us all to be good stewards of the environment, because it really is our home, that collective, beating heart of the world we all share. 

— Gareth Henderson

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