On the very positive side, there are the many photographs, mostly on calendars of the Vermont countryside in the fall, which is why we are going. We hope to see beautiful hills and valleys with the splendor of autumn in full bloom. I can picture the white churches with steeples posed with all the red, yellow and gold trees surrounding it. Or, a babbling brook; of course the photo does not babble, but I can imagine the brook as it rolls and tumbles over rocks with brightly colored leaves being carried along. It is autumn at its best.
Also, most in my generation will remember the movie “White Christmas.” I know I still watch it every year around Christmas time. In the movie, two sisters are heading for Vermont for a job as entertainers at the ski lodge and Danny Kaye talks Bing Crosby into going with them. There are a few minor points in the middle that helps get them all together but I will let you experience that for yourself. Anyway, they sing a song about snow in Vermont and the relaxing time they will have. As they put it, “Sounds very Vermonty!” From that scene, one thinks of Vermont as a fantastic place to visit.
The contrast comes in articles about Vermont wanting to secede from the United States or wanting to begin the process to impeach Bush at the state or local level. Just recently there was a story of an orchard owner in Vermont who has created a cannon to keep away hail storms much to the disdain of his neighbors who really do not want to hear something like a mortar going off on a regular basis. In short, the people seem to be extremely independent and liberal and do not have much use for anyone or anything other than their personal interests.
So, as we go to Vermont for a week's vacation I am somewhat apprehensive. They must understand the importance of tourism for their economic growth but how welcome will we feel? Perhaps I am over analyzing the whole thing and the people of Vermont really aren't a different culture than the rest of the United States. Perhaps only the fringe of the population makes the news and the rest will be very friendly. Perhaps I am naïve in understanding how culturally different my corner of the world is from the rest of the nation.
No matter what, a week away should be great. Another bright spot in Vermont that should bring most cultures together for a smile is Ben and Jerry's Ice Crème. The factory is not far from where we are staying and ice crème is one of those experiences that bridge any gap. I never considered Ben and Jerry's a healing salve to the political and cultural differences in this country but the potential is there. Bring it on!
