Wednesday - July 13 2022 - Burlington / Mt Philo / Darcy & Al

 

We are hitting perfect weather with warm days, light breezes and blue skies. Burlington VT is right on the lake. Deb grew up on Lake Ontario and loves the water so this was a happy reunion. Downtown Burlington is right on Lake Champlain (which a few years ago was "almost" designated the 6th great lake by Congress. "Almost" is the history of Vermont, but that is why it is so beautiful, preserved from the ravages of success. "Preserved From the Ravages of Success" would be a great state motto for the flag maybe. The real success of Vermont is that all it has remained beautiful and it builds tough people.

We spent a couple hours walking around town and then decided to drive down to Mt Philo, on top of which we got married 38 years ago in August. They freshened up the hiking trail and there were a few other people with the same idea. Again, perfect weather, and a beautiful view, just like that day 38 years ago. 

We had a quick check in with our financial advisor and then pick up a couple of pizzas and go to our friends Darcy and Al's for dinner and a catch up.Then over to our old friends Dave and Deb's house where we will spending a few nights.  I have been working with Dave since the early 80's and we caught up late into the night. Good to be back in the 802..

"Good Timber" by Douglas Malloch (posted on top of Mt Philo)

The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease:
The stronger wind, the stronger trees;
The further sky, the greater length;
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth,
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.

This is the common law of life.