Welcome back to “As I See It”. 

It was August of 2011. I had decided to go back to Vermont for a visit. It had been almost 4 years since I had last been there. It was going to be my third trip to those parts.

Planning and research was started. Where in Vermont was I going to stay? Once that was to be decided, then which rental would I get? How long a trip would it be? What would I do while I was there?

I decided to go to Woodstock. My first time in Vermont, I had driven through Woodstock. I found it so charming that I stopped and walked around that sweet town. 

One of the places in Woodstock that stood out to me was the Woodstock Inn and Resort. It’s grandeur was breathtaking. Maybe I could get a job there as a massage therapist. No harm in trying.

I called and got the name of the spa manager. Michelle. I was given Michelle’s email address and on August 26th, I sent her an email. Could we set up an interview for when I was in Vermont?

There was never a response to that email. I can only assume that’s because two days later, August 28th, Tropical Storm Irene roared through Vermont, wreaking havoc and destruction in her path.

Seven miles from Woodstock, in Quechee, the destruction was monumental. The Quechee Bridge was swept away. 

The destruction was not limited to Quechee. There was destruction throughout Vermont. 

Rivers overflowing. Roads washed away. Homes destroyed. LIves changed.

My vacation plans were postponed.

I made it to Vermont the following May. Two weeks chillin’ in a condo in Quechee. I tried to get an interview with Spa Manager Michelle, at the Woodstock Inn and Resort, but that was not to be. 

By the time I went back to California, I had been offered a job as a massage therapist at a spa in Quechee. Six weeks later I moved there.

A month after arriving, my camera and I found ourselves on the banks of the Ottaquechee River, at what had been the southern entrance to the Quechee bridge. Work had recently started on the rebuilding project. I shot some images, and continued on my exploratory way.

The walk that August afternoon in 2012 was the beginning of a much beloved project in which I shot well over 1000 images, spanning over a four month period. Although it was not 100% completed, a grand opening celebration took place at the end of December 2012. 

On hand, despite the fact that it was a typical winter day in Vermont, were many local and state officials, including then Vermont governor, Peter Shumlin.

Of the many images that I took, 252 were posted in real time, to my Facebook page. I somehow managed to scale the number of images down to 188 for my website.

I loved shooting this series. Loved it. It’s a moving story in stills. The story of growth, development and connection. The connection between two sides of a river. The connection of people and businesses. Both so deeply affected by the destruction.

Side note: After living in Vermont for three years, I did get a job as a massage therapist at The Woodstock Inn and Resort. It was one of the most amazing jobs, in one of the most amazing places, that I have ever had. 

Till next time,

Be Well

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