It seems like every day I look at my surroundings here in Vermont, and think, “Wow, this place is gorgeous.”
Sure, there are lots of beautiful places to live, but Vermont is a special place. Between the rolling hills and mountains, the farmland dotted with cows, and the picturesque small towns, Vermont has lots of charm. I love living in a beautiful place.
We only moved to Vermont at the end of August, but in these four months I’ve tried to capture in photos the three seasons we’ve enjoyed so far.
In the late summer, heading north through Vermont, we stopped at Quechee Gorge to take in the views. (And thinking back, we didn’t even know that Vermont would soon become our home! Crazy to think how quickly everything happened.) We also went on walks in the countryside.
With autumn came the views Vermont is typically known for, bringing leaf peepers from all over to admire the fall foliage. I absolutely love fall – the colors, the pumpkins and apples for sale everywhere, and the great hiking weather (like spring, but without my annoying allergies).
I also got to pass a cute camel in Richmond every day on my way to work. I miss seeing it, but again, I love how many fun farm animals we see around.
And with winter, comes stark beauty. With lots (and lots, and lots) of snow.
Just this morning Josh pointed me towards the sunrise out our window. With the little crescent moon, the long icicles, and the bare trees, I just sat watching. The winters may be long here, but they sure are awesome.
Another draw was learning that Vermont is a billboard-free state. Back in 1968 the decision was made to ban all billboards, and as a Vermont Public Radio piece points out, it makes Vermont stand out (along with Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska, who are the only other states that do so):
"You know, people come to Vermont and say,‘hum... this is different here. Why is this place different?' And a big piece of that is the billboard ban. But it's also how we try to take care of the environment and be good stewards of the state."
Now, I know I can go on and on about how Vermont is so beautiful and wonderful and all that, but it’s not without faults. It’s still America. You may notice the big box stores and residential development on the outskirts of Burlington on Interstate 89. There are strip malls in many towns and cities; litter is tossed on the sides of many streets and highways.
We have many beautiful days here, but many grey days too. It’s an area with some of the least possible sunshine a year, which pretty much ties us with Seattle. Oh well. It just makes me want to get outside even more when it is sunny, and I think it makes me appreciate the nice days.
As a whole though, Vermont is gorgeous, and as I look at the Green Mountains out my window each day, I feel lucky.
