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