by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

Worried about high gas prices affecting everything from food to fun? Wondering what to do about your summer vacation? Try having one close to home. There are so many things to do in Vermont — so many reasons people from everywhere else to want to visit here. It’s your turn to discover Vermont.

Visit historic sites. Vermont is steeped in history (including our years as an independent republic complete with currency and constitution) with historic sites within a quick drive of everyone’s home. It's time we as Vermonters know a little bit about our roots in this place. Start with the sites near you, and then branch out. Calvin Coolidge’s birthplace in Plymouth, the Bennington Battle Monument, the Statehouse, the Old Stone House in Brownington — these are just a few places that merit a day’s trip.

Visit museums.From art to history to natural science, Vermont has plenty of museums to explore. The ones in Chittenden County alone would take you days to visit, but many small towns have historical societies and small art galleries and museums. Check them out. The Shelburne Museum is half price for Vermonters, and many small museums are free or by donation. No museum in your town? Start one!

Visit our state parks and recreation areas. Whether you go overnight camping, or just visit for day use, Vermont state parks are varied and fun. You’ll get a chance to go hiking, boating, swimming, or just sitting under a tree with a good book. You’ll also get to meet people from all over who have decided to enjoy our recreation areas.

Discover Vermont’s waterfalls and swimming holes. You probably know the ones near you (if you don’t, ask the locals), but there are many all over the state. There are several books on the subject, so check out your local library — and don’t forget to ask around. The best swimming holes and waterfalls may not be the ones that are in books. Do respect “No Trespassing” signs, and leave the place cleaner than you found it.

Go hiking. Splurge and do the Long Trail — or part of it — or the section of the Appalachian Trail that runs through Vermont. You’ll see many beautiful things and meet other hikers (always an interesting crowd). Hike for a day, a week, or a month. Experiment with day hikes you haven’t done before, or go back and evnjoy your old favorites. There are many books on hiking in Vermont — if you're just getting started as a hiker, look for books geared to hiking with children for a selection of interesting shorter hikes.

Go biking. Many of Vermont’s roads — paved and dirt — make for great riding. Spend a whole week going from one end of the state to the other, or just choose a series of day rides from your home. The kids can come too on their own bikes or in a bike cart. Take a picnic lunch and stop by a lake or waterfall to cool off.

Learn to play disc golf. This is a great sport that anyone of any age can play. If you can walk through the woods (slowly is fine) and can throw a Frisbee, you’re all set. There are twelve courses spread out all over Vermont from Bennington to Jay. You can use a regular Frisbee, or you can purchase special disc golf Frisbees from your local sporting goods store. It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours in the fresh air with your friends and family. And, best of all, most courses are free! (The Center Chains course in Waterbury and the White River course in Randolph are great courses to start with — and go back to.)

Spend time on a lake. We have lots of these to choose from, from tiny Hosmer Pond to giant Lake Champlain to cross-border Lake Memphremagog. Rent or borrow a sailboat, rowboat, canoe or kayak for a non-motorized way to enjoy the water. Go fishing. Go swimming. Watch the wildlife and relax. If you have the time, rent a cottage or cabin for a week, allowing you to enjoy the water at an even slower pace and support your neighbors and our local real estate economy at the same time.

Hit the popular tourist spots. If you haven’t been to Ben and Jerry’s in Waterbury or the Barre Granite Quarries, splurge and be a tourist. Pretend you’ve never been to Vermont before. Check out a guidebook and see what the experts recommend. Have an open mind and an open eye. What spots do you recommend to your out-of-state or out-of-country friends? Go to them yourself!

Enjoy festivals, fairs, and farmers' markets. Vermont has many great gatherings in the summer that are very uniquely Vermont. Spend a leisurely morning or afternoon at your local farmers' market or visit one you don't usually patronize. Markets can be enjoyed without spending money: many have free live music or demonstrations, and chatting with your neighbors and with vendors is half the fun (of course, supporting those vendors by buying their wares is a good thing too). For a local agricultural exhibition on a grander scale, exhibition, visit a county fair or two (or enter your own veggies, baked goods, or animals for judging!). And don't forget Vermont's music festivals — the Northeast Kingdom Music Festival and the Champlain Valley Folk Festival both feature local talent as well as amazing music from afar — and other festivals, parades, and community shindigs unique to your area.

Indulge in the arts. Vermont is loaded with artists, their shops, and galleries. Vermont is also (and has been) home to many famous writers and artists. You can enjoy and appreciate Vermont's many art forms even when it's no Open Studio Weekend. Or, pick an art that speaks to you — quilting, basket weaving, painting, woodworking, poetry, glass blowing, or rug making — and find the folks who do it. Take a class if you can, or attend a workshop or a lecture. Practice your new craft. And don't forget summer theater! There are talented thespians all over Vermont who seem to particularly thrive in the summer heat.

Volunteer. Spend your vacation helping out somewhere in your area. Perhaps your local museum needs tour guides. Maybe your town library needs painting. We suspect many residents of your local nursing home would enjoy a ride through the countryside or an afternoon at the lake. Perhaps the food shelf needs restocking, your church needs landscaping, or your favorite hiking trail needs grooming. Maybe you just have a neighbor who needs their porch fixed or their firewood stacked. Find a way to help out.

Use your imagination. Have we forgotten your favorite summertime Vermont activity? Maybe you’re happy staying home and gardening, having a barbeque for friends, or just fishing at your secret spot. Make a comment and let us know how you like to have fun close to home!

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About Common Sense
Common Sense is written by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley, a mother-daughter blog team. They live on an urban homestead in Montpelier. Send them your questions and comments about food, fuel, family, or financial independence! Write to mountaingirl at vtlink dot net. You can also check out some of their other writings at their website: www.spiritoflifepublishing.com.