Seasons of Vermont
Every fall in my state, hundreds of tourists come to snap pictures. Fall is only one of the seasons Vermont is famous for. Vermont’s seasons are unique, and they mean a lot more to me than the taste of maple syrup, the sound of a cow’s tail slapping against its back, or the wind rustling the red and yellow leaves of the maple trees.
Starting with spring, when the snow has slid off the metal tops of the sugar houses, and melted away to show grass that we all thought had disappeared forever, it is a great time to be in Vermont. One of the things Vermont’s spring is famous for are the farms that still remain sources of organic eggs and fresh milk. I have been to many farms in Vermont. Some have only crops, and others keep animals. It is especially interesting that when I walk into a barn full of more than thirty cows, each one has a name tag above their heads. This shows that each one is important. Without them, a farmer would not make a living. Other farms have no animals at all, but fields of crops. Crops are equally important as animals, and are often sold at local farmer’s markets. Spring brings new beginnings in Vermont, and a taste of what is to come in the new year.
Some states get their tourists in summer, or maybe winter. But the flocks of people that come to Vermont, come in the fall. If you asked someone they would probably tell you that they came for the colors. After the green of summer, but before the white of the snow, the trees in Vermont shed the green of their leaves, and are replaced by colors that you might have only seen in postcards. Like putting on a new set of clothes, the trees seem to change just for the sake of the tourists that come to see them. Beautiful reds, yellows and oranges, often all on the same tree. Even I, being a Vermonter and living with this change every year, often stop and take in the beauty of a mountain side completely covered in maple trees that seem to be suddenly full of life and color.
Then, just as quickly as it comes, the trees drop their leaves and the tourists head home. As the snow starts to fall, Vermont becomes fairly quiet again, except for the occasional jingle of bells on a horse pulling a hay ride. This is not the only activity we immerse ourselves in once the warm months are gone. Snow provides so many opportunities for outdoor sports. Skiing and snowboarding are the most common on the many slopes nearby, while some people prefer a quiet walk through the woods on snow shoes. Ice skating is also a favorite, and we are not limited to indoor rinks. Ponds and wide rivers freeze thick enough to drive a car over. By no means is the opportunity for a good time gone once winter comes to Vermont.
Vermont is so different from any other place I have visited. I am always eager to get home after a long vacation. If I had the opportunity to live here in ten years time, I think I would. Vermont is a beautiful place to live, and I would love to help preserve it for the future.