Cheese. Real Maple Syrup. Craft Beer. Snow. Skiing. Friends.
Family.
What else could a boy have asked for in a last-minute
whirlwind trip to Vermont? About two weeks ago I realized that Sugarbush was
opening on the 22nd, which also coincided with the Cabot Sock Sale,
and two different Baird 6 holiday parties. So after finding some cheap airfare,
I was on my way to Vermont for three days. The highlight of this trip, was that
only four people knew ahead of time that I was coming – it was a complete
surprise to the rest. Surprising my coworkers, best friends, and family was
absolutely amazing. I picked up my rental car from the airport and starting
making the circuit around Burlington to show up at friends’ doors.
Being able to see so many coworkers at two different holiday
parties was a perfect way to get to see everyone, update them on my travels,
and unsurprisingly find out that nothing on Baird 6 had changed. The food was
great, the laughs were plentiful, and I realized even more how much I miss
those folks. Later that night, I showed up at mom’s door to her shrieks of
surprise and excitement. The next morning I surprised Dad at his house and went
out for breakfast with him and Joyce. Next up was surprising the Taylor clan
who had the Kiwis visiting. Again, the looks on everyone’s faces were
priceless.
That afternoon I was finally able to do what I’ve been
missing most: ski. I piled all of my old ski gear (my new stuff being in Texas)
into my rental car and drove the familiar drive up rt. 100 to Sugarbush.
Feeling the snow under my skis, making turns, and feeling free was the perfect
release. My legs were clearly not ready for all of this skiing and while they
wanted to give out by the end of the afternoon, I kept skiing because I knew it
would be close to February before I was able to ski again. I had a beer at
Castlerock and the entire afternoon was perfect. On the way back to Bethel I
stopped at the second work party followed up by a quick visit with some
favorites in Montpelier.
On Sunday I went and saw my godson for a bit, had lunch with
some old college friends, said goodbye to everyone in Bethel, and made my way
to Northfield. Now, many people say that the Sock Sale is only good during the
first weekend; but those people are wrong. I showed up at 3:45 (they close at
4:30) on the last day of the sock sale, there was no line, I found amazing
socks, and was out the door in 5 minutes.
Onward to Burlington. I walked in the door of Janet and
Joanna’s house to surprise the crap out of them. It felt so wonderful to be
there. I know I only lived there for three months this summer between hiking
the Long Trail and moving to Texas – but it really did feel like home. We ate a
delicious dinner thanks to Jo, had some drinks, and chatted the night away on
the couch. Monday was an early breakfast with the B6ers, a haircut at Indigo,
chasing the Heady Topper delivery truck around Burlington, and the last of my
goodbyes.
It was absolutely the most perfect weekend. I saw just about
everyone I could have, did everything I wanted to do, and ate/drank amazing
Vermont food and drink. It gave me a boost, reinforced my belief that Vermont
is the best state in the union, and I was able to ski! I am still happy I came
traveling, I will still be trying to do a contract in Colorado after this, but
I know that Vermont is where I will settle down later on. I wouldn’t say that
I’m “homesick,” because I’m certainly not sad to be here in Texas, but I
definitely miss and appreciate what Vermont has to offer. I do feel so blessed.
Oh, and eight cans of Heady Topper made it back in my luggage. So all is well.
