Take II, Burlington to Maine
Re-entry to the States was much easier. We came through a small border crossing via Vermont. This time the questions the two guards seemed to stem from curiosity and boredom rather than interrogation. They seemed interested in our travels and glad to have someone to chat with. We were glad to be on our way quickly.
We arrived in Burlington early enough to take Dan and Ana’s boat for a quick spin around the Lake Champlain. Seeing the landscape from that vantage and feeling the waves rush under the boat was a welcome change and brought a sense of renewal. The Lake called “Caniadari Quaront” (Wide Lake or Gateway to the Good Land) by the Mohawk and “Pe-ton-bowk” (Water that lies between) by the Abenaki and was and is home to several indigenous nations long before europeans arrived: Abenaki, Algonquain, Iroquoian and Mohawk. Like every other account in North America, as more and more settlers arrived and their greed increased the original inhabitants were pushed northward. Many who did not move on their own accord succumbed to diseases brought from Europe or were forcibly stamped out. The Eugenics Survey of Vermont sterilized hundreds of Abenaki people without full consent into the 1950’s. Though the indigenous population may be the minority now, steps are being made to right past wrongs. Recently under a new state law of Vermont, certain members of the 4 recognized nations will have free or permanent hunting/fishing access. It’s a small but important restoration of access and autonomy in the land that is still their home.
During our second stay, we had a couple of new daytime adventures including visiting a quarry, cemetery and cooking some epic steaks.
While up north, the trees in New Brunswick had started to change into their Autumn costumes. As we made our way from Vermont to Maine via the White Mountains, the trees there began to follow suite. We were glad to be on the early side of the change as locals told us the scenic drive through the mountains (which took up about 2 hours), can take up to 5 or 6 hours during high viewing season. People, “Leaf-ears” as they are referred to locally, come from all over to gawk. They proceed to drive slooooooowly under the speed limit without much regard for how many cars are lined up behind them. We camped in the White Mountains on a cold Thursday evening. Our campground was sparsely populated except for the yellowing trees. Our scenic drive provided plenty of unobscured views or much traffic to speak of.
Our next stop brought us back to Maine, but to a different farm via a different route. We had been looking for a hemp or medicinal herb farm to work on, and thus far, nothing had materialized. So I took matters into my own hands literally. Rooted Heart Remedy is a farm that I had been following on instagram. When other opportunities disintegrated, I picked up the phone and called a stranger. Serendipitously for us, Nyeela picked up and was willing to have curious future farmers camp on her property. Rooted Heart is a small licensed hemp farm with incredible biodiversity. We spent 4 days helping out where we could, experienced the start of building a Hugelkulture, a no dig raised permaculture garden bed, and soaking up the knowledge that Nyeela and her helpers generously offered. Spending time who exudes a deep love and commitment to themselves, the plants and interconnectedness between the two was inspiring. Her lived philosophy seems to seep into the Rooted Heart products- they are some of the best performing I’ve tried thus far.
The consistent gift of this trip has been the generosity of strangers and friends alike. Each time I feel like my heart can’t hold more gratitude, it swells, breaks and increases capacity.
Thank you for reading along!
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