You are misunderstanding “uninterrupted” and thinking I believe it is “old growth”— I know that Vermont was logged AF in centuries ago and that it’s not untouched and pristine. At the moment the Green Mountains are one of the largest patches of continuous unfragmented forest and this is in fact something that should be protected from large scale projects such as this.

Thank you your comment is very helpful!

I mean, we’re talking what a 200-acre campus, 8-10 years from RFP, and tens of millions right? Show me the money

Hey my state is pretty fucked, but believe me I try. I grew up in Pennsylvania but my parents and generations before them are from Massachusetts/Vermont/New York—my relatives live about 20min from the Vermont border— so I am very familiar with the region and there’s no need to discriminate against me as a non-resident. I am pretty concerned about the Earth as a whole, and what we can do to protect what is left. I receive emails from Environment America who are a nationwide advocacy group. I thought I could bring light to this impending project to locals before it happens. With big projects such as this, once it’s approved by the governing bodies and too late to speak out, everyone says “what could we have done to stop it?” It’s helpful to know this is happening. You can certainly decide for yourself whether or not you support it. Note that the proposed plan is not manifesting from individuals in the local Vermont forestry sector, it’s a federal government plan, and this is not logging as you’re used to, it’s clear-cutting and creating a road/tele services through the clear cut area. Once that starts, it won’t stop. You are misunderstanding “uninterrupted” and thinking I believe it is “old growth”— I know that Vermont was logged AF in centuries ago and that it’s not untouched and pristine. At the moment the Green Mountains are one of the largest patches of continuous unfragmented forest and this is in fact something that should be protected from large scale projects such as this.

>So these institutions should just take our kids pro bono?

No, the towns need to get together and build a regional HS for the needs of the public. IDC how bad/good the private schools are, public tax dollars should not be used to fund private and religious schools.

You really could state your case a lot better without conflating religious, independent, and private, as this jumbled thread shows. It sounds like what has happened over the past 5 years is not unique to the NEK or anywhere in VT. And really it has nothing to do with whether you or your child did well there.

As Americans we are spoiled rotten about a number of things rigged by the government (on a bipartisan basis!) to be cheap for us. Fuel and food costs are among them, and those have seen occasional spikes over the past 50 years (sometimes at the expense of getting re-elected as President!). And COVID times have brought us a new (horrible!) era of resetting our appreciation of labor logistics as consumers. “No one WanTS to WORk ANymORE” = workers know their worth. Are the days of minimum wage drivers and child care workers over? You tell me. Add to that our state’s housing crisis and all the other things affecting us and we have many problems to work through, 0 interest in building a new public high school in St. J for what!? Everyone wants a school right outside their door. Why don’t you move to where the school is if it will save you all this money?

I would feel MUCH more comfortable taking a baby to a lake beach like lake Iroquois / Niquette Bay or the YMCA pool, instead of natural swimming holes. The swimming holes with current in them sometimes cause a "sucking" current that can pull swimmers underwater or into underwater rock features/caves. I love swimming holes too, but probably not with a baby!

Swimming Holes

Check out some of the state parks that have public beaches. It’s a few dollars to get in, but very clean and family friendly.

I'll be honest - even in the middle of August, a lot of that water is COLD. Also, I agree with some of the other comments about how many of the more popular/scenic spots are hard to reach, or very steep/rocky. As a grown adult, I know I've struggled to get my footing, and needed both hands to steady myself. Definitely not safe with a baby.

Not sure where you're planning to stay, but if you wanted to go somewhere relatively easy to get to that isn't too deep/dangerous, I would recommend Brewster River Gorge in Jeffersonville/Cambridge.

There are a lot of great lakes with swimming areas all over the state. These are better suited for babies than swimming holes. Swimming holes usually have large rocks and deep sections.

Here is a nice quiet spot: https://vtstateparks.com/plymouth.html

came here to say this

I took my baby to many swimming holes. The hardest thjng is schlepping all your gear into what are sometimes hard to access spaces. Most swimming holes are pretty family friendly though you’ll occasionally encounter people being assholes and partying and letting their dogs run all over your stuff. The other thing to remember is that a lot of infants don’t really regulate their temperature/cry out in the cold-river temps are quite chilly until at least august so you just need to be mindful of not letting your kiddo spend too long in the water.

The forest service has done a pretty impeccable job managing that bit of woods so far. Vermont's forests are healthy and growing. Logging (when done the right way) helps mimic natural disturbances that humans otherwise prevent and can lead to healthier, more diverse, and stronger forests.

Depends on the swimming hole, but for a baby I'd recommend a lake beach, there's lots of them.

You do realize that most of the green mountain forest is less than 150 years old as the entire state was almost clear cut in the 1800’s.

The forests of Vermont have been actively managed since that time. That management has resulted in what we currently have: a productive, multi use forest ecosystem that employs Vermonters, allows for ample recreation opportunities and has a generally healthy biodiversity.

Do us a favor, and “save” your own state first. Once you have done that, then please come and present the result of your efforts for us to see.

This needs to be pointed out every time a tourist equates VT to Narnia.

Maybe don’t tell Vermonters how to advocate for their state? 🤷🏻‍♂️

“Uninterrupted” bruh we basically clear cut the whole state in the 1800s for sheep farming, less than 5% is old growth these days.

Oh my god. The NIMBYs have become NIYBYs.

Ain't that the truth!

100% agree with that statement!

Look, My cat and I live in a remote area. He is a working cat and goes outside. There is no more danger to him than there is any other working animal. He is neutered, and doesn't travel much further than the compost heap. I personally think keeping an animal indoors is cruel, but hey, that's just an opinion and don't take to the internet to force my opinion on others.

Holup... From your other -rambling & insane- post;

"I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. I graduated college in Florida and then joined the military."

nay. i dont appreciate invasive species