another vermont 4th of july

10 days away and no explanation, no warning, nothing. it's shameful really. but ask ann and dabney where they have spent the last week and you will have to hear about the splendid landscape of rolling hills, the sparkling weather, the artisanal cheese, and microbrewed beer of their favorite state that is vermont. they played tennis, golfed, basked in the warmth of the campfire, wallowed in swimming holes, and generally enjoyed the company of folks who accompanied them this same time last year. they love this new july tradition.


jess, ann, dabney, and girlladyfriend

just as last year, dabney's mom kindly hosted a summer barbeque complete with burgers, dogs, corn, pimm's cups, and of course, a baby to pass around and cuddle.


it just seemed right to have a texan manning the barbie.


nebraska and will


jess & isaac


in the hammock that everyone was convinced had sedatives pumped into its fibers are philipp and carmela.


evan and dabney

over the next few days, the group splintered off into sporty and sunning groups but reconvened one afternoon to practice their alpine sledding technique.


the u.s. national alpine sledding team


american boy coming down the mountain with jenbrown hot at his heels, ok, make that butt.


carmela at the finish

the cold waters of vermont didn't detract this hardy group.


swimming at buttermilk falls

and what's a visit to vermont without tasting the fruits of the state, namely maple syrup and cheese?

the syrup tasting twins, ashbloem and girlladyfriend


a quick stop at the simon pearce glassblowing factory for the view

after wednesday, ann, dabney, and jenbrown found themselves all alone and so spent the rest of their week in the green mountain state driving around looking at views and searching the area for more swimming holes.


montpelier


one of the swimming holes ann, dabney, and jenbrown scouted for next year. tubing will definitely make next year's agenda.


a morbid sign near a pretty waterfall

and just when they thought they had experienced all that vermont had to offer, a new adventure -- sailing on lake champlain with al, leandre, and evan!


first mate, evan


flaking the sail, whatever the hell that means


ann couldn't help but hum a little christopher cross while aboard


lake champlain at sunset

it was a superb outdoorsy kind of week. that said, it was exhausting, too.


feidler and his roomie, jenbrown