While driving along the roads of Vermont, you will no doubt pass by antique stores and possibly wonder what’s inside. These buildings are filled with local history pertaining to daily life, and there is no way of knowing what you might find until you stop in and take a look. They provide a sense of place in the world, allowing you to take a step back in time and see how life once was. Up until a few weeks ago, I had only visited one antique store. Rewind Time was the second.
I had finished an incredible powder day at Smugglers’ Notch. After making my way across town, the steering wheel and dash of my Subaru were shaking to no end. I pulled into the parking lot at the Rewind Time to assess what might be going on. I could assume there was an abundance of snow in my wheel wells, so I kicked out as much as I could hoping to solve the problem and I could head home with a smoother drive.
Since I was basically at the front door of the antique store, I walked inside wearing my large jacket and baggy snow pants. I was greeted by a woman who offered me gingerbread cookies. She said I lucked out because they usually aren’t open that day. I roamed around the downstairs which was very clean and organized, with many nice but pricey items covering all bases. She mentioned there was more to see through the double doors and up the stairs, but it still held the cold from last night.
I was eager to see what the upstairs held, so I headed up and felt like I traveled through time. I was inspired by what this gigantic barn had to offer. Between the magnitude of space and the items that filled it, I could walk around looking at antiques until dinnertime! Ultimately I headed back down and said goodbye, but the vision of Rewind Time stayed with me.
Photos from my first visit:
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I didn’t immediately think of having a photoshoot here. While discussing possible ideas with Savannah weeks later, the idea resurfaced into my mind. There was so much visual interest in the massive room that it seemed like a no brainer to try a photoshoot here.
The day of the shoot had come. Like usual, there was no plan set in stone. We drove to our first location and began the adventure inside Rewind Time. The owner allowed us to take photos, so we headed upstairs to the second floor. It seemed colder up here than it was outside, luckily not cold enough to see our breath. My main goal was to find the best lighting and the most interesting areas and items to have in the photos. We roamed around from setting to setting, working with what we saw. Savannah would see something neat and we would find ways to use it. Working with her is a professional and amusing process as we are both still learning, yet it seems to go well no matter what.
Enjoy the art!
Savannah found this shag rug was draped over a chair half onto the ground. We couldn’t pass it up!
In this post, I have pictures taken from a hike up Mt. Elmore (2,608) to its Fire Tower on December 26th, 2017. The hike was done in about three hours total with Zeth and my dog Brixton. Vermont had accumulated a pretty substantial amount of snow in the past few days, but with some melting and freezing in the mix. With snow from the night before, this made for a great hike through the snowy forest up to a unique mountain summit.
One of the many reasons to love Vermont is the variety weather conditions to hike in. With the constant seasonal changes, hiking always becomes new again. Summer with its earthy colors and humid air. Fall with its rich fiery hues and fresh crisp breeze. And lastly, winter with it’s simplistic qualities and refreshing chill that. Winter really helps to appreciate warmth, in a good way.
It’s an underrated season when it comes to hiking. It seems that many will retreat inside their homes for the season just waiting for the snow to melt and flowers to bloom. If you’re living in Vermont especially, this isn’t the proper way to endure winter. There is another part to it that makes winter worth the struggle of getting through those below zero nights. It is a chance venture outside and witness the untouched beauty from a new perspective after each snowfall. Sure you can appreciate the sight while bundled up in your warm car but out there on the snowy forest trail is a whole ‘nother experience waiting to be had. There is nothing quite like it, so I propose that you get the full effect of winter, bundle up and…
TAKE A HIKE THIS WINTER!
There are plenty of excuses to go out for a winter hike, but here are a few that come to mind:
1. The landscape is minimalistic. Snowfall upon snowfall takes away the visual overload of the forest and simplifies it into black and white. The result of this is a feeling of calmness that is beautifully peaceful. Drawn into any direction you happen to face, a snow covered forest landscape is unique in every way. Less is more, see it for yourself!
2. Every step you take is cushioned! Those aches that come after hiking a dirt trail in the summer are thrown away when you hike in the winter months. The shock absorbance of the snow makes each step feel less abrupt and more smooth. So if you are one who isn’t able to enjoy hiking because it gives you knee or ankle pain, you might just find a new season to hike in.
Snowshoes may be useful assuming the trail has more than a few inches of fresh snow. Otherwise, thick soled boots and good tread along with doubled up socks work just fine. To supplement this and save your ankles from snow collecting, velcro trail gaiters are a good option. They will last a almost a lifetime and save your ankles from the frigid ice. Since Zeth was using these, stepping into the deep snow gave him no trouble despite wearing only ankle high boots.
3. Regulating your temperature! Wearing multiple many layers comes with the option to cool off or warm up as needed. Your neck warmer can be over you nose or scrunched down. Your hat can easily come on and off. The pits of you winter jacket can be zipped and unzipped. Overall you have a lot of control over how warm you want to be as you are making way up the mountain. As long as you are dressed appropriately and persistent with your upward travel, you will be sure to stay warm as you venture through the cold pillowy white forest. There isn’t such thing as bad weather really, it’s just the fact that appropriate gear might be lacking. As long as you are wearing enough layers, the cold will not phase you one bit, and you will begin to welcome it!
WE REACH THE SUMMIT
Atop Mt. Elmore sits its fire tower, built shortly after the State of Vermont acquired the park in 1936. The tower offers 360 degree views of the area, with sights of the Worcester range as well as many of Vermont’s small towns. I’ve hiked this mountain several times, but only in the summer. This year I was excited to hike to the tower in the winter time, because I knew it would be a completely different experience. Since Zeth was home for the holidays and we always seem to find some adventure to go on, I suggested the fire tower hike and he was game.
We were thrilled to finally have the high mountaintop structure in sight through the trees. The sense of accomplishment immediately surfaced. Usually I would also feel relieved to not be hiking anymore, but the hike wasn’t nearly as exhausting since the air is much cooler.
As Zeth and I neared the tower, Brixton bolted ahead, as he had been here before and was eager to climb to the top level. He made it to the second level before he stopped in his tracks. He must have been rethinking his intent on I called to him to come down, and like a good boy he listened. I attached his leash and secured it around the railing at ground level and laid down a shirt for him to sit. The night before, I considered not bringing him on the hike because I knew the tower would be dangerous, in addition to the cold weather. Alas, he was here having a grand time with temperatures hovering around 12° F.
“Where are you?” I asked so he’d show himself. HAH!
Zeth began his climb up the snowy stairs of the fire tower and I followed by the time he was nearing the second level. The entirety of the fabricated metal was coated with ice and recently accumulated snow. I climbed the stairs at an cautious pace with my camera strapped around my neck. Brixton was audibly unhappy as we climbed on without him, but I’m mainly grateful that he wasn’t in any danger.
Before I knew it I had reached the top level where I could relax, enjoy the view, and take photos of everything in sight. There was no wind to shake the tower and sunlight was breaking through the distant clouds, flooding onto the range ahead.
Beaming light.
Getting lost in the trees.
Pillowy spruce.
Aside from the views beyond the tower, there was beauty right inside as well, so I made sure to capture that as well.
I liked the buildup of snow, especially the drifts on the ground. Wishing I had gotten a wide shot!A bit frosty, but not as much as we were hoping for.
We were content and it was time to head the slippery steps.One last look.
Zeth decided to go down backwards since the stairs were tricky… not sure if he did this the whole way, but it was just as slow walking down as it was walking up.
This photo might explain how Brixton was feeling about us leaving him on ground level.
LUNCHTIME!
There was a viewpoint just a quarter mile from the summit, where we took a break for food on our descent. Zeth had brougth roast beef & swiss sandwiches and I brought a few clementines. My sandwich was wrapped in a reusable wrap called “BEES WRAP.” Made with beeswax, GOTS certified cotton, organic jojoba oil and tree resin, this wrap is sturdy and sustainable. This was my first time knowing about it, but It feels like a great alternative to plastic wrap, especially if you are one to be aware of all the waste that we create on this earth.
One way to stay warm while stationary… Whiskey flask!
The hike down was swift with big leaps through soft snow and quick skids down the snowy downhill.
I had to get just one good close up of the ice encasing each and every branch…
I’ve only done enough winter hikes to count on my hands, but they are truly a unique experience that can be enjoyed by any frequent hiker. If you aren’t much of a hiker, there are many forested trails around that can offer a similar, more mellow experience. The downfall about this is you don’t get the wintery views or the effect of elevation and increasing amounts of snow.
Some last tips:
Hike with at least one experienced friend
Hand warmers and face masks will work wonders
Bring a ski pole to help with steeper inclines
A thermos full of hot tea or soup
Know the forecast, including windspeed
Take a few pictures and share!
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Thanks for reading along and viewing the photos, I hope I’ve inspired you to get outdoors and enjoy the snow!
Yesterday, I did I wonderful (but cold) photoshoot with Savannah. We’re excited to show the photos! I’m not quite finished with them yet, but here’s a “teaser.” This is from our first location, far up a dirt road and through a snowy field. Luckily Savannah brought her boots to trek through the deep.
art.of.a.rock 