This is Our Home: Duxbury

In Vermont’s heart, lies the nature lover’s paradise, Duxbury, basking in the shadows of Camel’s Hump’s towering stature. Offering a manifold panorama of outdoor adventures ranging from hiking, biking to skiing, the town stands as a beacon for the beauty imbued in nature unfolds when man coexists in harmony.

Camel’s Hump, Vermont’s third tallest mountain, watches over the town like an ever-vigilant guardian, touching the lives of its residents. For Sherry Winnie, the mountain holds an intimate space in her heart. It’s her home, the place harking back to cherished memories of the first-ever mountain hike with her son nestled safely in her backyard. Sherry found her nirvana in the verdant greens and sweeping outdoors, her eyes gazing far onto the landscape every day.

The diverse terrain of Duxbury, coupled with the abundance of outdoor activities it offers, is an enormous playground awaiting discovery. Whether it is the adrenaline rush of biking, the gentle paddling of kayaking, or the rhythmic slide of cross-country and backcountry skiing, there’s exclusivity for every adventurer in Duxbury. Winnie’s passion for the outdoors sparked an idea that eventually morphed into the inception of her business – making organic trail bars.

Using her kitchen as a start-up base, Winnie began crafting Sherry’s Trail Bars, her version of natural granola bars but without the remnants of sugar, corn syrup, and preservatives, as is commonly found. Ensuring the use of locally sourced ingredients, Winnie’s trail bars stand testament to her love for feeding people and preserving nature’s goodness. The real Vermont honey infused in her snacks evokes a melting pot of wholesome, delicious flavors, reminding the hikers of the symbiosis between nature and humans.

Going beyond the interests of outdoor enthusiasts, Duxbury also underlines the significance of community involvement. The Duxbury Land Trust celebrates a crucial milestone this year, marking its 30th anniversary. Dedicated to conserving the town’s abundant natural beauty and wildlife, the organization stands instrumental in reserving Duxbury’s very essence for future generations to come.

The Duxbury Land Trust has successfully conserved more than 550 acres of diverse land, spanning riverbanks to mountain fields in its three-decade-long journey. Janet Bisbee, a trustee of the Land Trust, fondly looks back at the organization’s humble beginnings aimed at securing a local swimming hole. Today, the trust looms significant, charting bigger maps in the direction of safeguarding Duxbury’s captivating natural heritage.

Duxbury’s serene, rural charm is a prized possession for its inhabitants. The goal remains to keep this tranquil beauty intact, allowing it to flourish and thrive. In Duxbury, trails are not merely stone and gravel pathways zigzagging on mountains. They are the medium through which the town breathes life, a way of sustaining the quiet, undisturbed way of life. The Duxbury Land Trust toils hard, determined to conserve these natural masterpieces that have been fostered by nature’s hands for generations to explore endlessly.

The town holds close to its heart the conserved landscapes that echo with history, nature’s silence, and inhabitants like Winnie, who find a sense of belongingness in their midst. “Every time I hike them, I’m home”, states Sherry Winnie, capturing the spirit that makes Duxbury what it is. Every resident, every visitor carries home a piece of this spirit, forever wedded to the allure of Duxbury’s wide expanse.