From Organizer Susie Davis Patterson: We brainstormed a bunch of great outings, challenging and relaxed, for our 2026 season at Sue Rasmussen’s home in May. Many joined us for our crafty pot painting activity after eating our brown bag lunches together. Be sure to get on our UU Gals email list and read every one to know about each one (find Susie).
In Aug some will head to Abi Sessions’ Isle La Motte home for an overnight retreat and welcome others join them for a day excursion.
Wed June 24 –we visited Robert Frost Trails in Ripton with some of us gathering at Ripton Country Store at 11:30 and continuing to the trailhead for brown bag lunch at noon then walking the trail and citing poetry.
Tues June 16 featured a kayak party at Dancing Pines (Susie’s home)
Tuesday, May 12th – we had another Wildflower Walk led by Colleen Brown & Doug Richards on their land. Some of you have had the privilege in past years to go on this excellent spring outing with Colleen and Doug.
From Susie in Fall 2025: 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!
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.
