One last look at summer

I think I finally feel ready to say goodbye to summer. At least that's what I'm telling myself. And honestly, this summer was so beautiful and eventful that my wanting it to be longer feels sort of greedy, like asking for a third scoop of ice cream when you know you should stop at two (but if you're already having two, what really is the point of stopping?). So of course it's natural to scroll through photos of the summer, reliving all of its wonderful moments. And though it was filled with classes and moving (twice), I feel like I was still able to make the most of what Vermont had to offer. I can basically summarize my summer with three words: 'work', hiking, and water.

'Work':

As I've alluded to on Facebook and on my previous blog post, I feel dishonest about calling my job 'work'. I was able to meet students from all over the world and take them to the Ben and Jerry's factory, two festivals in downtown Burlington, the theater to see 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' on a dance cruise on Lake Champlain, and on day trips to Montreal and Boston. It was the perfect summer job that wasn't really a job. 

Yes, Montreal is exactly as adorable as you'd imagine

A hike up Mount Royal (Montreal's name sake)
was totally worth it

The highlight of my trip to Boston was seeing
this great girl, a dear friend I met in Belgium

Teaching students the moves to the Cupid Shuffle. Still my
very favorite memory from this silly job

The top of Mt. Philo in Charlotte. This
hike would give me the harmful
over-confidence to hike Camel's Hump,
Vermont's third highest mountain

Hiking:

This summer I learned something about myself: I am a hiker. I think it's always something I knew deep down, but this summer, probably mostly because of Norm, I've been especially motivated to explore and to and to truly challenge myself physically. It also can't go without saying that Vermont's reputation for beauty and mountains and foliage is not one that was earned unjustifiably. From our relatively flat hikes through the forest, to the absurd 3.1 mile hike up a mountain, this summer definitely became one filled with walking shoes and unbeatable views.

The view from Mt. Philo

The beautiful Niquette Bay, my favorite spot
of the summer

The view from Ethan Allen Park

A girl and her dog. Somehow we made it to the top of
Camel's Hump, 4000 feet in elevation

It was much easier to appreciate the beauty of the mountain
on the walk down...

Swimming hole in Richmond, my personal
favorite swimming spot of the summer. It may
have been Norm's, too.

Water:

There is no question that, despite my love of all things maple and leafy and cheesy and mountainy, my undisputed favorite thing about Vermont is being near water. Any water at all. It might have something to do with growing up surrounded by vast farmland, devoid of significant (non-manmade) bodies of water. But being near water here never ceases to be anything but calming. So naturally I was there every chance I had. Having a dog that is more addicted water than I am certainly didn't hurt either. In addition to Lake Champlain, Burlington is close to countless swimming holes and other lakes that made our swimming opportunities seemingly endless.

A little sunset sail

Bristol Falls swimming hole

We had to travel out of state for this, but Lake George in
New York is absolutely stunning

It took a few tries, but we finally found the perfect beach to
enjoy the Lake George in Ticonderoga

One of dozens Norm swimming in the lake pictures

Why we go to the lake, in a nutshell

So with all of these amazing things that I was able to do this summer (and this is not including seeing my very favorite senator Elizabeth Warren speak, moving into a new beautiful apartment with a new beautiful roommate, seeing one of my very favorite bands Nickel Creek, plus traveling to Maryland, Pennsylvania and North Carolina to see family), I really feel greedy asking for more. It's time to switch out the maple creemees for apple crisp and pumpkin beer. I'm ready for you, fall.