| One of the beautiful things about Vermont is the | | | | recreating outdoors you should be aware of what |
| change of seasons. It keeps life interesting with a | | | | hunting season it might be and either stay out of the |
| constant change of scenery ranging from the grey | | | | woods or make sure you are highly visible, preferably |
| cloudy weather of November to the incredibly bright | | | | wearing hunter safety orange. |
| crisp blue and white of a clear winter day. We have | | | | Winter comes next and is one of my favorite |
| warm summer days with high humidity and sub zero | | | | seasons. Being a musher it's the season I and the dogs |
| winter days with zero humidity and every thing in | | | | live for. At Peace Pups Dogsledding here at Lake |
| between. These temperature ranges tend to keep out | | | | Elmore it's when we begin to offer dog sled rides and |
| a lot of the nuisance insects that our neighbors to the | | | | skijor lessons. There are several kennels in Vermont |
| south have with rare sightings of ticks and lime | | | | offering similar services. If you're here visiting I highly |
| disease, and virtually no poisonous snakes or spiders. | | | | recommend checking one of these out. There is |
| Some of this has changed in recent years due to the | | | | nothing like being pulled along through the woods by a |
| increase in temperatures in the area. Tick sightings | | | | team of sled dogs. It's an experience you won't soon |
| have becoming more frequent in southern Vermont | | | | forget. Another dog powered winter activity is skijoring. |
| and even an occasional tick sighted in the northern | | | | This is being pulled by one or more dogs while on |
| regions. | | | | cross country skis. Skijoring is growing in popularity and |
| Along with all these seasonal changes comes the | | | | is a great way to get out and exercise both yourself |
| opportunity for changes in outdoor activities. In | | | | and your dog. There are also many other ways to get |
| Vermont you can participate in a wide range of | | | | outside and play with or with out dogs. Of course |
| activities not available in many parts of this country. | | | | Vermont is know for it's down hill skiing and there are |
| You'll be amazed at what you can find to do in the | | | | many cross country ski areas as well. The Catamount |
| great outdoors of Vermont. | | | | Trail System runs the length of the state makes for a |
| During the summer months we have road and back | | | | good long ski trip or you can hit short sections of it for |
| road cycling with the advantage of many low traffic | | | | a day ski. There is awesome sledding and |
| roads to ride on. We have a multitude of old dirt roads, | | | | performance sleds made right here in Vermont. Take |
| logging roads, and single track mountain bike trails and | | | | one of these sleds and hike up a mountain for a fun |
| even lift serviced down hill biking at local ski areas. Due | | | | backcountry sled trip. Snowshoeing has become very |
| to our numerous lakes and rivers there are many | | | | popular and you'll often see folks snowshoeing on the |
| opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing and | | | | hiking trails around the state. |
| kite boarding. There are many brooks and streams | | | | Spring completes the cycle with the snow melting |
| with great swimming holes through out the state. Don't | | | | away and all the trees and plants springing to life. |
| forget hiking! The Long Trail runs the length of the | | | | Again, it's just incredible to watch everything go from a |
| state and there are many day hikes through out. Many | | | | frozen state to being lush and green all over again. |
| of these day hikes lead to the tops of mountains with | | | | Spring can be one of the more challenging seasons to |
| beautiful vistas. Vermont is also a great place to camp | | | | play outside. In the midst of spring we have mud |
| with a wonderful state park system offering family | | | | season during which time you can't really mountain bike |
| camping at many locations through out the state. | | | | or hike due to the mud. We stay off all trails until things |
| Fall is an amazing season to just be outdoors and | | | | have dried out to help reduce the erosion and trail |
| watch the daily changes as the maples begin to | | | | damage. It's too cold to swim and many of the smaller |
| change color and prepare for winter. It is often rainy in | | | | ponds and lakes will still have a layer of ice on them so |
| November but we also have lovely low humidity crisp | | | | kayaking and canoeing isn't possible either. Many |
| clear days that make for some of the best hiking of | | | | people start road biking as soon as the roads are |
| the year. Being cooler it is also a nice time to get out | | | | clear to start getting in shape for the coming season. |
| for those end of the season bike rides. Fall is the time | | | | Running works and there's always the gym. |
| of year we mushers start to be able to run their dogs | | | | Then we start all over again which keeps life |
| since the temperatures are lower and there is less | | | | interesting and keeps one from being burned out from |
| chance of the dogs overheating. If you only have one | | | | doing and seeing the same thing year round. |
| or two dogs you might want to try running your dog | | | | For more information on dog powered sports in |
| with a dog scooter. This is a growing sport and a fun | | | | Vermont check out Peace Pups Dog Sledding and |
| way to get you pups out for a run. Deer and moose | | | | Bicycle Tours. |
| hunting seasons take place in the fall so if you are | | | | |