Living in Vermont

I have lived here in Vermont all my life. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I grew up among the mountains, the forests, and the extremely cold winters, and I love them all. I have traveled to different states, as far west as Colorado, and as far south as Florida, but nothing can compare to the natural and wild terrain of Vermont. I like the closeness of the mountains, the rolling hills and the cold, crisp and calm rivers.

Outside of Vermont, it seems to me that everything is wide open as far as the eyes can see, especially out west. When I went to Colorado for camp, I felt exposed, too exposed. It got to me once I was at camp for a few days, and we happened to ride through a small canyon on the bus ride to one of our activities. I was suddenly reminded of what it felt like to be hugged by the landscape. The closeness of the canyon walls made me feel at home, even though the scenery itself was not what I was used to.

Here in Vermont, I feel safe among the gently rolling Green mountains, and the lush scenery of the rivers and forests. It's just my natural element, I suppose. I have left Vermont for lengthy periods of time, and as you can see by my experience in Colorado, I wouldn't be able to handle it for more than a couple of weeks. Therefore I will most likely still be here in Vermont in ten years time. My mother and grandmother felt the same way. They were both raised here, and raised their children here, this is not just where I belong, this is where my whole family belongs. The women in my family have been raised here, and raise their children here for almost three generations; we just can't get enough of Vermont. I hope to continue this tradition, and raise my family here. This is a great place to raise a child. Well, At least I had fun. I would not change my life one bit.

I suppose that's what it means to be a Vermonter: to have the ability to stop and enjoy what's around you. Every chance I get, I like to go for a walk and enjoy my home, the fresh air, clean water, and my family. I find myself lucky to be raised in such a clean, natural environment. I wish all people could experience all that Vermont has to offer. Only true Vermonters get to see its true beauty. It's the fall leaves that attracts visitors, but it's the winter snow on the tree branches, the heron wading in the pond, and the cardinals at the bird feeder, that are the true beauty of Vermont, the beauty that outsiders rarely get to see.