Guest Contributor:
Jill Goodnight, Class of 2022 at UVM
Bolton Valley’s been lucky to work with students from the University of Vermont’s PRT 168: Resort Management & Marketing course under our good friend Dave Kaufman. This year, with you know the pandemic and all, our interns are staying put in Burlington to fulfill the course’s requirement.
It is no secret that Vermont is one of the most beautiful and inviting places on earth. The mountains and lakes call all adventurers to explore and connect with nature. The trees are so lively, the ground is so welcoming, and the mountains reach the stars. It is easy to fall in love with the earth around you, which makes Vermont impossible to leave. We are so lucky to smell the colorful flowers, feel the wind kiss our skin, watch the sunset dance across the lake, and connect with the outdoors. Vermont is the place I found myself through nature, and I cannot be more grateful for the journey this beautiful state has led me on.
Hiking is one of the most popular and accessible activities to do in Vermont. As COVID changed the course of life for all, being accessible to open, outdoor spaces has helped my health and happiness tremendously. Stowe Pinnacle is one of my favorite hikes, as it is long and steep enough with breathtaking 360 views at the top.
The first time I hiked Stowe Pinnacle was magical. I was introduced to this hike by a friend I had not seen since I was 16. It was amazing to reconnect with her and experience the love for my earth with another spirit. I had found a shell with powerful positive energy a few weeks before and I carried it to leave at the top of the mountain for someone else to find. I hoped it would bring them positive energy and brighten their day.
When we arrived at the top lookout, we engaged in a short yoga flow, breathing in the fresh crisp air. We hugged the rocks and thanked the sun for this beauty day. It was so moving, and I felt I was linking with my peer as well as the mountains beneath my feet. Vermont connects me to all beings around me, and hiking feels more than just a trek up a hill. The sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors just make me want to find more mountains to climb.
There is always a new mountain to climb, sight to see, and earth to feel, but Vermont is unique. It is so special to me because I found myself here, and I could not have asked for a more beautiful place for this to happen. I do not see myself leaving Vermont anytime soon, as there is always a new adventure to seek. I am excited for the remainder of the fall season to hike and explore the change this new season brings. “And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep and autumn was awakened.” – Raquel Franco