In the northeastern part of Vermont, there is a small town of six-hundred people, named Woodbury. Nestled among the Woodbury mountain range is a special little chalet, that I like to think of as heaven. Here the hectic and chaotic way of life disappears. An easy and peaceful state of mind envelops you as you take in this little corner of the world.
A meandering slate gray dirt road takes you to your destination. As you travel this track, you come upon a large weathered horse barn. Geraniums with red, white, and purple flowers adds color to the weathered gray-black wood, as they hang below a broken window. A pair of chestnut horses contently nibble at the grass along the stone foundation. As you wander along, you notice that the road travels right through the middle of the barn. Once inside, there is an old rusted blue and white BLUE SEAL FEED sign proudly displayed on the wall. Above are massive wood beams, which traverse the road. These beams support the hay loft. As you look at these beams, you can see the pride in the workmanship overflowing from their masses. Each beam is precisionedly notched and pegged for that perfect fit by some long ago craftsmen. A little further up the road, you come upon a little white cottage. A cottage which looks like someone ripped right out of a storybook and gently placed beside the road. Shiny copper dormers pear out it's roof to greet the morning sun. A porch wraps around the outside like a mothers arms around her child. On the porch, a loveseat gently sways, as a calico cat lays napping. Beside the house a white picket fence surrounds a flower garden. As the rainbow of colors emanates from the garden, so to does the fragrance of honeysuckle, lilac and lavender. Continuing on your travel, the road intersects a great rolling pasture. On one side of the pasture an old gentlemanly farmer is harvesting his hay. He cheerfully waves as he bails his goods. The huge hay bails, all wrapped up in white plastic for winter storage, dot the field. Looking out over the field, it is as if giant marshmallows have emerged from the soil. On the other side of the pasture, a herd of Holstein dairy cows graze. As you pass, one cow gracefully lifts her head and glances your way, welcoming you back. Around the next bend, you have finally reached the entrance to our little chalet.
A canopy of pines and oaks shroud the entrance. Two worn tire paths lead the way up the mountain. The trail has become overgrown with grass and weeds. As you make your way, wild blackberries line the trail, along with sumac and young birch. At the summit an unfinished chalet stands, majestically surrounded by tall pines, mighty oaks and snow white birch trees. A blanket of green and yellow moss covers the ground.
A predominate roof of chocolate brown colored metal drapes from side to side. The east side of the chalet overlooks a lake below, as two wooden decks extend from her face. One deck extending from the first floor, the other from the second floor. Large glass sliding doors open the way to her decks. On the west side, a small white door leads to her interior.
Inside framed two by four lumber stands like a skeleton, partitioning off the various rooms which will be eventually built. On one side, a small room containing a bed and desk await some happy occupant. On the other side, tools and building supplies await workmen, to take them in hand to continue their task. A small makeshift kitchen is set up, with water jugs and cooking utensils lining the counters. A large room opens up, with a couch and lounge chair next to the sliding glass doors. The musk of burnt wood permeates the air, as a wood stove sits idly by in a corner, waiting for a chilly Vermont night. Off to one end of the room, a stairway climbs to the second floor. One massive room occupies the second floor. A great cathedral ceiling rolls down to meet the floor, blanketed in pink insulation. A large bed is placed next to the glass doors leading to the deck. The size and location of the bed indicate that the master of the house shall slumber here.
A million dollar view overwhelms you as you step out onto the decks. Below in the valley is Lake Nelson, which is how the little chalet got it's name of Ober Nelson. Ober meaning "over" in German. Rolling lush green mountains extend in all directions, as far as the eye can see. In the early morning a thick mist engulfs the lake and valley below, rendering them blind. As the sun rises, slowly the mist diminishes reveling the faint sight of a lone fisherman in his boat. In the late evening a full moon rises from behind the mountains like a giant beaming face. It appears so big and so close, that you just want to reach out and grab it. The calmness of the lake, like a mirror reflects another moon in your direction. The black darkness of the sky enhances the brightness of the stars. They twinkle and shine like diamonds in a jewelers case. The milky way stretches across overhead, showing off it's magnificence. All the while a deep silence pervades the forest. The only sound heard is the beat of your heart as you view these magnificent sights.
Ober Nelson is one of the most beautiful and peacefulest places in the world. Away from the hustle and bustle of the world, you can just sit back and enjoy life. Nowhere on earth is there a place that will take your troubles away, than this little chalet on the mountain. The sights, sounds and smells all make you think that you died and went to heaven. Well, although you did not die, you are in heaven when you are in Vermont!
© 2012 
