Gazelle’s Home Away From Home

When most people think about about taking a vacation, a majority of you will immediately think of a warm and tropical beach setting getaway. Personally, my ideal escape from reality is my old stomping grounds in Vermont where I went to college and it just so happened to be Alumni Weekend.

A remote, very small student bodied campus called Lyndon State College is where I resided for five years before returning back home to Massachusetts. I have been playing the rugged sport of Rugby since 2006 and can greatly admit that it has shaped me both physically and mentally to become the person I am today. So whenever I get chance to escape to the NEK (North-East Kingdom), I jump on the opportunity to enjoy a weekend filled with friends, family, rugby and good vibes.

It truly is God's Country and to me, I would pick going there over a tropical escape any day. Upon arrival this past weekend, I geared up and took the pitch (rugby field) yet again in anticipation to get some rugged playing time in. The field alone sits high up in the mountainous county of Lyndon and the view is breathtaking to say the least.

In the end, the teams battled against each other, the 'Old Boys' (Alumni Rugby Players) came out with a win against the Lyndon State men's team, hands were shared, beers were poured and memories were made.

These are my people, this is my North-East escape and this is why I enjoy going off of the grid for a day or two. Everything is much more simpler, everyone is very friendly and everywhere you go, you're surrounded by Mother Nature at her best.

I will say that I am relieved to be back home, in one piece at that, but I will miss the good times.... only to be relived once more somewhere down the line in the near future. That being said, to my friends and family of Vermont, Thank You for having me once again.

I may be getting older and much busier within my career, but you will always have a stronghold in my heart.

Cheers!