Sabbatical Part 3: Vermont

“Nature is the art of God.”
~Dante Alighieri

Returning to reality from a wonderful family vacation in and around Fairlee, Vermont.

Vermont has become one of my happy places.
The pace of life feels slower.
People are generally welcoming and kind (particularly for New England . . . mostly kidding)!
There has been an intentionality about development as the state is known for its natural landscape. Not to mention fabulous maple syrup and quaint covered bridges around every corner it seems.

Vermont is mostly forested and country drives from place to place are quite serene. The landscape—with farms and log cabins nestled into mountain valleys, with horses and cows roaming the slopes—is like something out of a Bob Ross painting. (And oh do I love Bob Ross and The Joy of Painting!)

We had a rainy week in Vermont, though thankfully the rain was not always torrential as it had been earlier this summer. I was saddened to see the after-affects of the devestating flooding in Montpelier. Though heartened to witness people cleaning up downtown businesses and starting to rebuild even as we wandered the streets to visit the state capital. The effects of climate change are being felt in many different ways, and the extreme weather we have experieinced this summer is sad and startling.

The wonderful people of Vermont are certainly in my prayers. Vermont Strong indeed.

Photos by Rev. Lauren Ostrout.