From Organizer Susie Patterson: I am still consumed with the joys of our Celebration and Planning Activity on Wed Nov 12 when about a dozen of us shared at Lake Dunmore on our past months of treks. The snow laden pines created a magical walk on the trails we traipsed through the woods. One gal rightly named it Forest Bathing, and we all felt inspired and uplifted and gently exercised.
The fireplace warmed Ping Pong Palace continued to encircle us in nourishment, through our delicious pot-luck contributions, the many chats among friends who know each other on a deeper level through our exploits over the summer, and in joining together to review our group workings and brainstorm activities for our Vermont winter season. All most productive!
Winter Plans: Below you will find a list of activities we might offer over the winter. Please reply to this email to sign up for each activity category you would like to receive notice via email when and where they will happen. You will only receive emails for the ones you sign up for.
___ XC Skiing
___ Snowshoeing
___ Downhill Skiing
___ Winter Hiking / Spike Hiking
___ Indoor Arts Events (THT, Museum Visits, etc)
___ Handicrafts
We all became enthusiastic about our last (and new) category “Handicrafts.” This might be a 2-3 hour gathering at one home where the leader demonstrates, perhaps offers materials (or tells participants what to bring), and participants leave with what they created or started to create. I do not want to put any restrictions on the fun ideas shared; it will be delightful to see what eventuates. For myself, it makes me nostalgic for and eager to get involved in hands on projects I so fondly remember learning and making at my childhood summer camp. But the ideas shared around the fireplace yesterday were broad, diverse, and interesting, and we were all eager to sign up.
Our other big decision after much discussion of pros and cons is, starting in spring (perhaps April weather permitting) we will designate one particular weekday for our Outdoorsy activities. This will prompt all of us to avoid making other plans or appointments on that day of the week, when possible, and enable us to be, hopefully, more available to participate in our Outdoorsy activities. So, Big Announcement is that WEDNESDAYS will be our designated day, so keep that in mind when you make your next 6 month dental cleaning appointment and the scheduler asks, “Do you have a preferred day of the week?” Answer: “Not Wednesdays!” This is experimental, and we will review at next fall’s Celebration and Planning meet-up or switch in mid-stream if it turns out to be too limiting for too many of us. This winter, each activity group will decide among themselves when to meet.
Meanwhile, look for some outdoorsy activity offerings from me during the first three weeks of December – hiking on the TAM or further trail walking from Dancing Pines, or something on snow, if conditions warrant. Your ideas and preferences always eagerly received. Thanks!
Giving thanks for our connections among us and with our Vermont outdoors, Susie (look for contact info in our directory to be added to her list or contact office@cvuus.org for this).
Winter Wonderland 12.9.25 We hiked 4.5 miles on Trail Around Middlebury in snowy woods.
