ilovermont

Most of the year, all I can think about is getting out of Vermont.

Yes, I like that it has the perfect mix of mountains, farms and lake. I love having so many great bars and cafes in the area — Dave and I know to go to Parima when we want hurricanes and Mirabelles for amazing weekend brunches and the odd sweet treat. And we frequently take day trips to discover the state's smaller towns.

But sometimes it feels we've done all there is to do. And the last couple of summers have been so rainy that, all the way through our icky, snowy winters, I'm not sure what I have to look forward to. And I have this nagging feeling that I might end up just staying in Vermont forever, because it's easy to.

If that's not a cry for a vacation, I don't know what else is. But strangely, our NYC trip proved more stressful than relaxing, and the change of scenery only made me want to come home.

It was beautiful weather in the city — over 80 degrees most of the trip! amazing what five hours south will do — and we traipsed all over the blooming Bronx Botanical Gardens (pictured), into a seriously scrumptious Italian restaurant (Nocello) and, well, a bunch of places. I made it to the Guggenheim, saw old friends, caught a movie and did a lot of reading.

But goodness! A few days of subways, constant walking, continually getting lost and terrible city traffic, among a few other things I won't get into here, made me realize I can take the place only in small doses. The relief was palpable as Dave and I got on the highway and headed north (to the tune of Maroon 5's "Must Get Out" on the radio, if you'll believe it).

So, yeah. Nothing like coming home :)