Last year at this time, we were preparing for our trip to India. One year later, the thought of even getting on a plane within the U.S. is questionable. India seems like a dream occuring in some distant past. How lucky were we to have traveled there last November and had the experience of that wonderful country.

How are the Smith’s traveling these days? We returned from Las Vegas and Bainbridge Island with the Vermont granddaughters the first of March and within a week we were on lock down. Dreaming of exotic and fun places to visit vanished and we were at home looking at one another. But not for long.

We began each day of April to walk the 15 mile rail trail in Morrisville.Vt. through rain, snow and mud. Our dog Olive raced along beside us, we found ramps in the woods, and picked them with our granddaughters and made pesto. We watched spring arrive, the farmers seeding their land with corn, the fiddleheads uncurling and the rivers filling with melted snow. Life arrived in its glorious rush of color despite the world collapsing within itself.

We hopped on our bikes and traveled the Stowe Rec path back and forth watching May turn to June. I started searching for vans, a long time desire of mine to revisit the U.S. having sold our VW van years ago. AND THEN…we bought E-bikes. Our life changed in an instant. We gave up the Stowe rec path and ventured out into the hinterlands of Northern Vermont. We have been covering miles and miles of back roads enjoying the challenge of the Vermont hills, the beautiful lakes, the quiet villages and the wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Those thinking this is not exercise have not experienced the Vermont hills.

We walked for miles and miles all summer long, exploring trails we had not walked before or trails that we love. We watched spring turn to summer and now turning to Fall. The golden light illuminates the forest trees and the meadows. The turkeys flee in desperation when our dog Olive smells their scent. The fields we watched being planted are now being cut for winter to feed the cows. Life is slowing down, turning back inward, days are shorter, nights are longer.

Soon the leaves will be gone, the November light with its elegance of white and grey brings a clarity, a sharpness to the winter ahead. How will we travel a winter of Covid? In much the same way we traveled these last months. There will be snow, it will blanket our fields and hills. We will pull on layers of clothing, don warm boots, snowshoes, skiis and head for our Vermont hills, breathe in the fresh air and set out on an adventure. And when we are done, we will come home, settle within a warm cozy blanket on the couch, pick up a book and travel within the words and images of authors who have created places and adventures for us.

Is this the life for only those of us who happen to live in this wonderful state, Vermont? No this is a life that each of you can find within your own home and community. What it takes is a bit of preparation. Instead of packing your bags, you pack a safety kit of masks, gloves, wipes,water, appropriate clothes, a cell phone for a camera and safety, a buddy or not and find the world you live in. It is just as beautiful as any place on earth.