Kelly Stand Road

Yesterday while Jeremy napped, Gwen and I went exploring to check out the fall leaves. Kelly Stand Road is a good one for this sort of thing.  It was just what I needed.  The colors were unreal.

Lowell Lake

On Tuesday, Catherine and I headed to Lowell Lake to do some hiking.  It's a 3.5 mile loop around the lake and it was a dream.  The leaves were so vibrant and seemed to seriously appear just that day.  It was overcast which made the leaves jump out even more.  We had to keep stopping to try and capture the beauty we were seeing, which of course the pictures never do it justice.  I love these mountains I live in.

Stratton Mountain

Yesterday, Laura and I climbed Stratton Mountain along the Appalachian Trail.
I loooove climbing mountains!  I feel so alive on mountain tops.  It really is one of my favorite things.  Dave dropped us off at the trail head off of Kelly Stand Road at about 7:45 and we were off.  It was cool to hike along the Appalachian trail and think about the many miles and states it covers.  I was hoping to see some really stinky thru hikers (hikers doing the WHOLE Appalachian Trail), but we just saw a slow couple from New Hampshire.  It only took us an hour and half to reach the top and was a much more pleasant hike compared to Mt. Equinox. 

It was overcast and a little rainy. It didn't bother us a bit during the hike because of the coverage the trees offered.  Once we got to the top though we were in a cloud with constant mist.  I climbed to the top of the fire tower - the exact spot where Benton MacKaye had the inspiration to create the Appalachian Trail.  I couldn't see any of the surrounding mountains, but I got an awesome view of the tree tops.  Then we took the gondola down to the ski resort, had a quick snack at the deli, and Jeremy (and Gwen) picked us up in a nice warm car.  It was the loveliest way to start a Saturday.

I can't wait to do it next summer with Gwen and Jeremy!

That Night Sky

Last night at midnight, I met some friends at the banks of Equinox Pond to watch the meteor shower.  We stayed until 2 chatting and pointing out the shooting stars.  We had some clouds that floated in at times, but overall we had great skies for viewing the night sky magic.  It was quite the show.  

Here are my first attempts at astrophotography:

Pretty sure it's safe to say that I am obsessed with nature.

What a weekend!

Friday, we had dinner and a movie night with friends (Finnegans, Vaughns, & Martins). 

Saturday, we headed to Equinox in the morning and I hiked while Jeremy biked. Then we met the Vaughn's for an afternoon at Lake Shaftsbury. 

Sunday, we went to church, took naps, and grilled steak!

Monday, we slept in and then we did some hiking and biking again, this time with the Vaughns. Then we barbequed at the Finnegan's with all of our friends.  We had amazing food, played games, and ran around in the dark with sparklers. 

 

 

I think it was such a wonderful weekend because of all of the time we spent outside.  Vermont is in full green mode and will be until the brilliance of Fall hits.  This place is amazing and I am so glad I live here.  I get to play in the mountains all the time.  It's totally my favorite!

 

Moonshine Hike

Last night we gathered with some of our good friends for a night time hike in the beautiful moonshine (you know, like sunshine - not alcohol).  We started while it was still light outside, got to Robin's Lookout, and waited for the darkness to set in.  The moon was incredibly bright.  It always amazes me when you can find our shadow from the light of the moon. We were able to spot Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, too!  It was pretty amazing.  I loved everything about it, being in nature, chatting with great friends, and kissing my favorite boy!

Thawing

We had some warmer temperatures today, so after church we went for a nature walk around our favorite pond.  There were new streams of the clearest water I had ever seen and a great deal of mud.  And Equinox Pond is starting to thaw.  I have loved watching the pond change through our first four seasons here.  No matter the time of year, it is beautiful.  I am so in awe of the Earth and the beauty in the seasons!  I love where I live!

Jeremy about had a heart attack when I ventured out on the ice.  It got him to take a picture really fast though.  He's the best.

I woke up to snow.

 And this time it felt like real snow.  The few storms that we have had so far have left 2-3 inches.  So yesterday when I looked out the window and everything was covered with 4-5 inches of fluffy powder, I was beyond excited! I didn't even know we were supposed to get snow, so that made it extra delightful.  I got out there to shovel right away, because I just love to shovel.  With the fresh powder it seemed like the BEST IDEA EVER to go snowshoeing with my buddies, Laura, Tiffany, and Becca.  We hiked around the Equinox Preserve and ran around on the frozen pond.  It felt so wonderful to get outside and enjoy the snow. I can't wait to go exploring with Jeremy!

Vermont, you are pretty fantastic!

Best Day of the Year

Friday 

Jeremy surprised me with a date to civilization about an hour away in Albany, New York.

We went to P.F. Changs for dinner!  I was so happy because I love Chinese food on my birthday and they are wonderful with gluten free.  After a lovely dinner of lettuce wraps and ginger chicken, we wandered Target for a while.  It feels like it has been an eternity since I have been to Target, I loved it. We have sure gotten used to the calm Vermont life, because it felt like there were just so many people and so many cars everywhere in Albany. 

Saturday

{Birthday self portrait at 27}

Last year's here.

On Saturday, my birthday (woot woot!), Jeremy had to work 1/2 the day.  So I decided to climb Mount Equinox in the morning.  I have climbed it twice this summer and it's a tough and beautiful hike.  My legs scream at me for days... it feels wonderful.  I hiked it solo and I love hiking solo.  It gives me time to think, reflect, pray, and go at whatever pace I want.  Plus I get to eat all of the trail mix!

I tried to pay attention to my senses as I hiked to be fully present in the moment.  I could hear the wind bustling through the leaves.  I could hear my heart beating fiercely when I stopped to re-hydrate, the birds chirping and the chipmunks chatting. I could feel the muscles in my legs hard at work.  I was taking in the beauty around me and trying to dodge the falling acorns.  I got pelted by one in the first 10 minutes of the hike, no joke!  The higher I climbed the more numerous and colorful the fallen leaves became as they crunched under my feet.  It was just what I wanted.  I will tell you everyday and especially on my birthday, Mother Nature is my homegirl.

I sat at the top for quite a while taking pictures, journaling, eating trail mix, and chatting with fellow hikers.  I met a couple that was celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and we decided it certainly was the best day of the year.  It really was a gorgeous day, and everyone I met agreed.  Perfect for hiking a mountain.  I found myself praying as I hiked down, thanking God for the beauty in my life. 

Here I am at the top of the mountain feeling like a million bucks!!  Crushed it.

After I hiked my heart out, I went to Cilantro for lunch in Manchester.  I love that place.  It's a local place similar to Chipotle, but better (at least in my humble opinion).  I enjoyed my delicious salad with grilled chicken at one of the tables outside so I wouldn't stink the place up.  

Then I returned home to BALLOONS which totally made my day.  Thank you Courtney!  I showered, took a nap, and waited for Jeremy to join in the fun.  After he got home we opened some presents and then he took me shopping at the Banana Republic Outlet.  He knows what I love. 

After a very successful shopping outing, we went to our friend's for a barbecue.  We had a variety of kebabs that were super tasty.  I brought two versions of my favorite Wafer Cake, one gluten free and one regular which I decided to make mint flavored.  They sang to me and made me feel so loved as I blew out 27 candles!  And then we dug in and the cake was a hit, as always!  I love this family tradition of mine... Wafer Cake is the best.

We finished the night eating milk duds and staying up way too late watching the BYU game with friends.  It was such a wonderful day.  I felt so loved by family and friends.  Thanks for making it a special day for me.  I am excited for the great things to come this next year.  I am loving life!