Jill and I started 2026 with a First Day Hike at Point au Roche State Park, where we bundled up against the six-degree temps, slipped crampons onto our boots, and tramped through the woods for a view of Lake Champlain. Our guide looked to be 105 years old, and complained about the pace of our small group. I think she finally gave up on us and settled on a bench near the lake; we last saw her chatting with another solo hiker. Life is about more than increasing its speed, but c’mon, it was cold, we weren’t walking that fast, and a warm fire sounded more inviting the further we went.

A couple of days later we drove to Au Sable Point, where we saw nobody and hiked along the beach. It was just us and the rabbits, and the view was glorious.