To borrow and twist a line from Vermont songwriter Noah Kahan, “I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the ticks.” Indeed, those nibbly little demons are one of the few downsides to summer in the Green Mountains — the others being the potential for flooding (and also, weirdly, drought) and that the season here is so short.
The rise in the tick population and tick-borne diseases has forced many Vermonters to rethink how they approach the outdoors. But as you’ll soon see, given how much fun stuff there is to do between Memorial Day and Labor Day, we think the extra precautions are worth it.
For starters, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single warm-weather weekend without several outdoor music festivals or big-name acts playing somewhere pretty. And between the debut of a new women’s soccer team, numerous state and county fairs, food festivals, and summer theater, there are more great summer events in the next few months than anyone could possibly attend. That doesn’t even take into account all the new things to do in Québec this season. Mon dieu!
But summer is about more than entertainment. You’ve also gotta get out there and make your own fun, maybe by picking up a new sport. Enthusiasts are already aware, but Vermont is a disc golf mecca. The state now boasts more than 80 courses, including a few world-class ones, and has become a destination for high-level players and pro tournaments.
Looking for something more low-key that will get you outside but also nurture your soul? Check out serene Knoll Farm in Fayston, where blueberry picking, outdoor concerts, grazing sheep and retreats offer respite. Or visit Cold Hollow Sculpture Park in Enosburg Falls. The sprawling site features sculptor David Stromeyer’s massive outdoor installations and just brought in a new director with equally big plans.
You know where ticks won’t bother you? On Lake Champlain. Problem is, getting out on the water can be harder than you think. The vast majority of Lake Champlain’s hundreds of miles of shoreline is private and inaccessible. But efforts to improve lake access are underway.
In the meantime, the water sure is nice to look at, as are so many views in Vermont. So pack a picnic — with help from new sandwich and provisions shops around the state — and go sit somewhere scenic.
Whatever you do this summer, enjoy it. Because before you know it, the season of the ticks will turn into the season of the … well, you know.
The original print version of this article was headlined “Life’s a Beach | The Summer Preview offers fun in the sun — but also ticks”
The post Find Fun in the Sun in Our Summer Preview appeared first on Seven Days.