A Snowy December

I wish the blizzard of 2010 had changed its track and moved toward northern Vermont. As I watched the endless news coverage about the storm hitting Boston and New York, I felt a little jealous sitting here in Burlington.

Sure, we already have snow in Burlington and we ended up seeing a few inches from the storm. But I was really hoping for a whopper up here. No such luck.

Fortunately, towns in central and southern Vermont did much better and received anywhere from 10 to 20 inches. I'm happy for my Vermont friends who are now enjoying a thick blanket of freshly fallen snow in Manchester, Woodstock, Woodford and West Dover.

I'm also happy for my sister who lives near Boston and my brother who lives in New York. Looks like the blizzard of 2010 was a lot of fun.

Photo: Snowfall in Burlington on Monday.

**If You Go: Ski Vermont
Vermont Association of Snow Travelers

The Winter Solstice

I am always surprised when the first day of winter arrives in Vermont. It feels like it's already been winter around here for several weeks. We've had quite a bit of snow, and the air has been frosty since Halloween.

I don't know about you, but in my mind fall ends around November 15. For me, December 21 just seems a tad too late to officially start winter.

So anyway, here we are, on the cusp of another winter season. What are your plans?

Vermont's Winter Landscape

View of Camel's Hump from Montpelier.

Winter Wonderland in Vermont

It's been snowing on and off in northern Vermont since Sunday night. As of yesterday, 27 inches of snow fell in the town of Fletcher. Not far behind was the town of Underhill, our former home, which reported about 22 inches of snow.

Now that we live several miles west of the mountains in Burlington, we typically miss the brunt of the big snow storms. I was relieved to not have to dig out from 22 inches of snow this week. Still, part of me used to feel like a winter warrier living in Underhill. There was a certain heartiness to living out there, and we could always count on an abundance of snow.

Anyway, most Vermonters are happy to see snow in early December. Otherwise, it feels strange to be without it this time of year.

The ski areas are rejoicing, too. Several resorts are now open for the season, including Bromley, Jay Peak, Sugarbush, Okemo, Smugglers' Notch, Killington, Stowe, Stratton, Trapp Family Lodge XC Ski Center and Sleepy Hollow Inn Ski & Bike Center. For the latest conditions, visit www.skivermont.com.

Enjoy!

Favorite Photos of 2010

Barn in Underhill

In the spirit of ubiquitous end-of-the year lists, I wanted to share some of my favorite Happy Vermont photos from 2010. Hope you enjoy. Happy Holidays!

Old truck at Shelburne Orchards

Slayton Pasture Cabin in Stowe

Dave's falconry lesson in Manchester

Silo and foliage in Monkton

Old First Church in Bennington