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