Acouple things I am truly thankful for.

As of late I have found myself way busier than I think I have ever found myself.  It's in theses moments that we can often forget what really is important in our lives.  Certain things come to mind; family, good friends, good health, enjoying ourselves in the moment, letting go, the outdoors.  As I let go and returned home I was once again reminded that it is the people close to us and that we chose to surround ourselves that make us come home to where we started.  Hopefully theses people rub off on us and leave a mark; so this is what I find myself truly thankful for.  Thank you everyone for constantly reminding me how lucky I am.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Now get outside.

Thankful

 We had a really great time this past week catching up with family, good friends, and some of the beautiful places we grew up hiking and biking in northeastern Connecticut. We really are from a beautiful spot; we are so lucky to have had access to the outdoors like we did. Look where it has brought us! We're very thankful for that.

A Wodstove Turkey and Crayola Adventure

We spent the Turkey holiday in Connecticut with family. While we didn't have snow, we still managed to get out to some favorite spots and T did a turkey-day ride with the guys he grew up riding with. On that particular day, I stayed home with the fam. My Mom and I cooked our family's supper on / in the wood stove (go us!) for a real wood-fired turkey. It went really well and came out so good. I also did stuffing in skillets on the stove top.

It's very difficult being a dog on Thanksgiving.

 Meanwhile, as the turkey was cooking, I drew pictures with my niece. I forgot how fun Crayola crayons can be! I had a great time and left her with some renditions of outdoor adventure. She's only three, but I'm hoping to leave some kind of mark in the way of inspiration.

 I also illustrated Odin's brutal encounter with four Chihuahuas the day before. (It's a dramatization - Odin wasn't nearly that viscous...actually, he was the one who got beat up. There were four of those damn little Hellians!)

I hope everyone had a great holiday and enjoyed the snow!!

no-SNOW-vember

 Don't get us wrong - we hate that there's no snow yet as much as the rest of you skiers and snowshoers, but Wow! this weather could not be better for mountain biking. Last night's balmy temps, warm breeze, and clear skies made for perfect riding conditions. At least its not 30 degrees and raining! Oh...wait, that's the forecast for tomorrow, I think. Anyways, rock on no-SNOW-vember, the month after octSNOWber. (It's been a nutty year so far!)

Winter Headlamp Run Series

This past Sunday we got a group of eight together for a headlamp run and dinner. We're working on getting a crew together to head out weekly or bi-weekly into the late fall, winter, and early spring nights to recreate together: running, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, or skiing, followed by a group dinner and to be hosted at locations around the central VT area. This is a great way to stay active and social throughout the dark months, instead of sitting at home and hibernating. All you need is a good head lamp!

When one bike fails; grab another.

     A recent mountain mis-adventure had me turning around five minutes into a ride, only to drive back home. But instead of sitting at home and feeling sorry for myself, I headed back out on the 'cross bike. I rode beautiful dirt roads at sunset - very cool! When one bike fails, don't give up: grab another! Don't be afraid to try something different.

Walking In

This video is exactly what I needed right now.

After working on a writing assignment last night, in which Tristan and I articulated what outdoor adventure means to us, I was left remembering those times on mountain tops, or in deep wooded hollows, waking up to the sun filtering through trees onto the fabric of our tent, or crossing the most beautiful stream you had seen yet. I had nowhere to be but there, nothing to do but walk, or sit and take in the view if I preferred. The colors, sounds, smells, all of it. But mostly the feeling is what I remember: truth, pureness, vitality, health. And don't get me wrong, there were hard times and low times, but they were real too, and part of the experience.

I am so grateful to have had these experiences, like backpacking the Long Trail, spending three weeks deep in the central California wilderness, and living for four continuous months on the Appalachian Trail. I can't believe I have been so lucky. To know these places and these people. They will forever be in my heart, moving from there to my extremities, where these past experiences become just as my flesh. And they are in Tristan's heart and being too; we will forever be connected by these shared times, having been nourished and grown from the same vital tonic.

Last night, as we finished our writing assignment, it was late and I was tired, with a cold setting in. I thought as I shut down the computer about the visions in my head conjured from the sharing of our experiences: I have to get back there.

Finding this video today brought it all back.

"Walking In", courtesy of A Secret Burger Media production.2011.

Doing what we love.

A group of women who hail from UVM that all hike together every Tuesday!  Happy to hike down with their current issues of VT Sports Magazine!

Sarah , Odin and I hiked to the top of the Stowe Pinnacle to hang out with folks and talk about Vermont Sports Magazine's new blog "Get Out".  Who knew we would meet so many good people up there!?.  Although if there's one thing I have learned in the mountains it's that good people often dwell in them and that's what keeps us coming back for more.  Thanks to everyone we met along the way

Keep getting out!

An Early Taste of Winter

We awoke Sunday to the quiet of snow and a bright white blanket covering the dimly lit morning landscape. Sarah rushed outside with Odin to take it all in. After some tea and a little work around the house, an afternoon hike up Spruce Mountain, with spectacular views from the fire tower, seemed like a perfect way to spend Sunday. It's a great hike and right in our backyard. It felt good to us to explore something so close to home - this is exactly why we choose to live where we do. A culture of mountains, outdoor recreation, and nice people make it easy to call Vermont home.

Spruce Mountain is known as one of the "fire tower" hikes. It is the site of a former fire lookout, complete with cabin and telephone line, built in 1919. The mountain has one foot each in Groton and LR Jones State Forests (the latter of which is Vermont's first state forest). The tower was rebuilt and replaced throughout the mountain's history as a fire lookout, and then ceased being a lookout all together in 1974. A tower transplanted from Belleview Mountain in St. Albans now stands tall off the peak, and a cellar hole is still visible nearby to the tower.

 As we started out on the trail today, our spirits were immediately lifted by the sights: pillows of snow on spruces, the poplar leaves rushing across the breezes to land on a white ground, and sunshine filtering through snow-covered trees. Something about being outside in the snow and cold really makes you feel alive.

Our hike continued on as we climbed and rounded the top of a ravine. A sharp left switchback brings the hiker to a side trail on the right winding through large boulders and caves - a neat little side adventure. Onward to the top the trail grades moderately over granite slabs to an open forest, then a couple of steep steps, and finally to the top. There are great views to the east from a look out and 360-degree views from the tower.

Pretty soon we hope to be exploring Spruce Mountain on our skis!

Fall Back [Spring Forward]

As the weather reports roll in warning of the inches of snow that could accumulate overnight (eeeee!!!), I am warming up by the fire after a brisk walk with the dog looking back through pictures from some of our Fall adventures. Fall is a great time to reflect, to look back; Spring energizes us into forward motion (towards the garden, out the door, go, go, go). This contemplative feel to the season may be why I enjoy hiking in the Fall so much. It's a slower pace activity and it gives you time to mull, clear the head, get inspired. And, with the snow on the way, what better reason to go head up into the hills: To see the mountain-top winter wonderland! While that is on the agenda for tomorrow, today I will share some photos from a favorite fall hike: Hunger Mountain. For extra adventure, running the entire ridge is an amazing hike; but for those not up for the 12 miler day, even an side adventure over to Hogback Mountain or down to White Rock is a treat. The latter is exactly what we did with friends on a recent October outing. Enjoy! And Happy Trails.