2025 Full Circle Semester Blog #2: Winter Trail, Leg 1:
May you know it in your bones that the Earth is your home
May you feel in your soul you are worthy and whole
May you know it in your bones that the Earth is your home
May you feel that you belong
Here we write from Farm and Wilderness! It feels like a lifetime ago that we set out, beginning our adventure…
Expedition begins, February 8th: And from Kroka we departed! After our dramatic send off in the midst of Winterfest, we set off skiing. Following snowmobile trails North, we ventured through Bellows Falls where we stayed on Basin Farm. From Bellows Falls, the Moover bus took us to Chester where we could reconvene with the snowmobile trails, and continue skiing through Okemo, past Ludlow, Lake Ninevah and finally descending here into Plymouth, Vermont!
Skiing down to Lake Warren on Day 1
Lucia with baby goat at Basin Farm.
We peeled and cut over 500 lbs of squash at Basin Farm!
A Day in Bush Time …
Morning has come
Night is away
Rise with the sun and welcome the day
Cecilia, risen and welcoming the day
Our day begins as the ‘gray light’ of the morning begins seeping through the tent walls. There’s a hustle and bustle of backpacks being packed, and the sizzling sound of frying bannock on the stove. An important time of the day is our morning sit spot (which often becomes a ‘walk-around-and-stay-warm-spot”). Taking time to listen and observe throughout the day is one way we show our gratitude for the land that is hosting us.
Have you ever skied with hogs? We have.
We hold hands and sing before breakfast. Breakfast on the trail seems to taste better and better every day! We enjoy overnight-kasha, with just a dash of “trail spice”. We often read a poem during this time, grounding us in the place we’re in. And thus begins the frenzy known as camp take down! Working efficiently we disassemble our stove, roll the tent and put home on our backs. Boughs being used for the floor are returned to the forest and we disperse our log yard and tent site. There are many ways to show our respect, one being that we work to leave each campsite clear and without noticeable impact from us.
Lilian leads the way
“POBSOF!!” (Packs On Backs, Skis On Feet). With some teamwork and will, we heave our packs on and circle to hear about the adventure ahead of us for the day! At the front of our parade are the trusty navigators; compass and map in hand, they lead us onward.
Jem with the maps.
Anneliese and Chris skiing along
Thomas skiing along.
___________________________
February 10th
Distance traveled: 16k
Today was, for the most part, a very nice day, we were skiing downhill on groomed snowmobile trails in the morning. We curved down into the Connecticut River Valley, where we had to cross several major roads, as we traversed downwards, I watched the forest change. The first part of our ski was through beautiful mature conifers and a few hardwoods, and all of the trees seemed to be thriving and in balance with the rest of the plants and creatures surrounding them. But as we neared the river I could see that many of the trees growing there were strangled by long trailing vines and it made me feel claustrophobic and unhappy. The forest faded into corn fields and cluttered backyards where the river was paralleled by the highway. It was strange to see many cars and people, and somehow I felt like I was looking on it all from a great distance- like I was removed and set in a separate place. Reaching the road, we strapped our skis and boots onto our packs in order to travel the 2k to where we could connect to a snowmobile trail. Along the road, we met a man and his partner, who were very curious about our journey. . .
Alexa leading uphill
February 12th
Distance traveled: 48 k (14 k on ski/foot)
Today was a day of big thoughts and feelings. We woke up at 4 am this morning to catch a Moover bus on a stretch of road between trails. We packed up camp in under an hour and walked the 2 k to the bus stop in Bellows Falls. It was a very surreal experience to walk down the street in the dark and look into the empty shop windows. The bus stop was at a gas station, and we stopped there for a much needed bathroom break. We reached a beautiful tucked away campsite and it was such a magical thing to gather boughs by myself as dusk settled into the forest. It felt so good to be just myself and the trees and the snow, with only love and support emanating from them, no judgement.
-Lucia
Learning to ski involves falling! Luckily we’re good at getting back up! Runa in the abundant snow!
___________________________
The process of learning and increasing aptitude as well as growing physically and mentally as a person are an integral part of living and feeling alive, and throughout this trip we have had many opportunities to grow our knowledge and abilities. Everyday I get more comfortable on skis, am able to get up faster from my falls, and go farther with my kick and glide. I am learning when to talk and when to give others room. When to take charge and when to follow along. And these bodily and social improvements cause me to feel fulfilled and satisfied. Even though I am constantly trying to ski faster, communicate more efficiently, and transition smoothly, the actual destinations matter very little to me, just a point on the map, but the journey is a conduit through which to eat the fruits of life.
When preparing for Semester, so often I would hear, “Six months in the woods and then you’re back in the real world.”
The truth is that all of life is the real world, and we are always living in and interacting with it no matter where we are, so I am perpetually trying to be present and alive.
– Justin
Justin and Thomas harvesting and hauling wood
___________________________
And where does our sheer determination come from, you may ask? And to that I would answer that the determination flows from the pouches, secured to the pack just in snacking distance from one’s hand. The Day Food Bag. Yes, it is a mystery to us as well how these small, fabric bags contain such power. With a delectable layer of “squirrel food” to coat the bottom, followed by a gentle, smoky crumble of cheese; leaving you with a slightly nutty aftertaste. Next comes the hardtack. Crafted by some of the finest artisan bakers of the group, this dehydrated biscuit is one you just can’t pass up. Whether you prefer to save it for that end of the day pick-me-up, or chow down first thing, this hardtack role truly depicts the delicacy we dine with. Next comes the sacred butter, and you can’t forget the jerky.
So I ski hard,
rhythm grounds,
the dance of feet frees the mind.
But again I paused in a breath of stillness.
-Thomas
A day with sunshine brings out some smiles!
Delilah side-steps up Marcum Mountain.
Our beloved friend, the snow, keeps us gliding along! Each day brings a new challenge and many new curiosities. And we meet the challenge with the strength of our community, with resilience, and with joy.
Our teacher, the bush, pushes us every moment. To observe, interact and deeper attune ourselves with the beings around us.
Lucia cooking dinner over the fire screen
In the bush we have many responsibilities. We have to care for the forest and earth, look out for and respect them. – Alexa
With daylight to spare, we begin the search looking for camp. Once we have found home, we start the dance of packing the snow down, so we can get around without sinking! It takes a lot of work to be able to sleep warm and eat a hot meal in the bush. We harvest dead standing wood, and make quick work of processing and stacking in the log yard. The two cooks of the day are tasked to set the fire screen and cook dinner. The tent is set, with the stove getting started inside, while boughs are gathered and laid to insulate the floor. And finally an out breath as we take off sweaty ski boots and settle into the warm tent for study hall. We share stories of the day, and eat a hearty meal. The evenings have a rhythmic flow to them. We convene again for evening meeting, then head towards bed as Chris reads us to sleep from Pippi Longstocking.
Drying socks + Alexa feeding the stove inside the Winter Tent
Cecilia and Lucia fold the tent in the morning at camp in Okemo basin.
Ode to the tent
Oh tent beneath which my back is bent
And all my calories are spent
To carry thee and tie thou strings on every tree
in all the places that we see
The tent and me
O to the tent
That thou wouldest keep me warm at night
as long as tie thy tight
Block the wind from every wall
and in the morning roll up small.
The tent and me.
-Runa
Each night we hang our boot liners and mittens in the tent to dry. Drawing by Cecilia.
A drawing from Cecilia of life in the tent during dinner.
As bowls of dinner are being finished, the tent quiets in anticipation. Glances are passed around, signaling it’s time. Someone begins to sing and the silence is shattered as we all join in at full volume.
Oh, the welcome table is a mighty fine table
Get up to the table as soon as you are able
Oh the welcome table is a mighty fine table
Get up to the table as soon as you are able
Look at this dish that I just found!
I’m gonna pass it around and around
At this point we can begin passing the pot around for seconds, amidst the chaos of noise…
It’s a bowl of (insert word; current mood of the group. Example: Kasha. Or Deep conversation)
yeah.
A symphony of spoons drumming on bowls, the “welcome table” has become a crowd favorite part of the day!
Zinnia setting up the fire screen
On one of our live overs Chris told us the story of Old Man Northwest and the Queen of the South. These winds determine the weather that we experience. We’ve learned to look at the clouds, feel the moisture in the air, and take note of the wind direction to help us predict the weather.
We’ve received so many gifts along our journey, and this true winter weather is among them!
My whole life is a gift, my whole life is a gift.
I must learn and I must grow.
What gift will I give back?
“We are living in the light of Love,
we are living in the light of love”.
-Runa
Looks like a fir. Tastes like a fir… Schuyler, Justin, Delilah, Chris and others during class on a “live-over day”
This journey is granting me the opportunity to learn and wonder. As we travel through these forests, I receive gifts. As I receive these gifts, I am also able to return the gift. Although I still have a lot to learn on how to take care of the forest that seeds us life, I am able to hold respect for her. Every time I take a tree branch, or water from a stream I hold a moment of gratitude for the resources that the land provides me with.
-Anneliese
Thomas and Anneliese living and loving the true winter trail
Red Maple drawing from Jem’s journal. On our live-over days we’ve been studying twigs, buds, and the natural history trees in our ecologies.
On Saturday we arrived at Farm and Wilderness, where we’ve been resting, reflecting and preparing for Leg 2! After an amazing leg learning from Chris and Hope, we look forward to now getting to work with Dave, Rebecca and Alex. While the amenities of the front country are surely restful, it’s safe to say we all can’t wait to get back into the bush!
Bagel Bliss at Farm and Wilderness layover (A HUGE thank you to The Works! We love you! Thanks for fueling this semester!)
Until next time,
Your scribe,
Dorothy
