An Early Spring Update...

Early spring is a beautiful time of year to enjoy Adams Hill House.

The change in temperatures each day, from hovering just at freezing at night to mid-50's in the day, provides the perfect weather conditions for clear skies, spectacular sunsets and moody moments with gentle spring rains.

The streams and rivers are full to bursting with snow melt. The sound of rushing water can be enjoyed from many points inside the house as well as all over the property and into the forest trail system beyond.

Hiking in this weather is full of surprises. Whether it is a glimpse of snowdrops in the woods or a cheeky squirrel who lectures you from above, the forest is coming to life.

All around you, the smells of thawing earth are rich with moisture and leafy forest floor.

This is a wonderful time to fine a beautiful stone to take home or see the beginnings of ferns peeking their heads out of the leafy mulch - soon ready to harvest for a local spring delicacy: fiddlehead ferns. This is also the time of year to spot a patch of ramps - the local wild garlic - that can only be fully enjoyed in the spring.

The traditional spring feasts - Passover, Easter, Spring Solstice - have featured budding forest bounty for millennia. If you want a tour of the edible spring forest, there are guides locally who would delight in taking you on a foraging excursion!

For a quiet sunny day at the house, sitting in the hot tub on the deck is absolutely glorious, as the fresh breeze from the west makes the hot water all the more delicious and the pure light fills you with the beauty of these simple pleasure.

At sunset, as the birds sleepily twitter in the pine trees on the North side of the house and creatures of all kinds can be seen making their way at dusk, finding bugs, shoots and acorns that have emerged from the snow, you can relax in the steaming water and know that dinner is the next event on your busy agenda for the day.

In spring, the natural world comes to life after it long winter sleep. If you need a moment to compose yourself after a dark winter of work and worry, this gentle awakening is just what you need to restore your sense of all that is right with the world.

See you soon!

Budding ferns are a sure sign of spring in the Vermont forests.