A Journey in the Path of Life Garden

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A Journey in the Path of Life Garden

The Path of Life Garden in Windsor is unlike any other place I’ve seen in Vermont. The garden, created in 1997 by Norwich therapist Terry McDonnell,  focuses on the circle of life and the decisions we make.  The 14-acre meadow, set along the Connecticut River, features 18 works of art by McDonnell, including sculptures, a granite Buddha, and a maze lined with 800 hemlock trees.

I stopped by the garden for a brief visit just before Thanksgiving. Dave, Phoebe and I were on our way to my sister’s house near Boston, and I checked out the garden while they waited in the car. It was a raw, cloudy day, and I was rushing, distracted and cold as I wandered into the garden with my camera.

Without paying much attention, I made my way into the garden’s giant maze and realized in a panic that I wasn’t going to find my way out quickly. Every row I chose was a dead end, and my sense of direction was all but lost. Eventually, I came across two German tourists and their daughter from Hanover, N.H, who all seemed completely at ease and took the complicated maze in stride. Together, we eventually found our way out.

On my way back to the car, I stopped to talk to Craig Carmody, owner of Great River Outfitters, a business that stands near the entrance of the garden and offers canoeing, kayaking, rafting, tubing, snowshoe hikes, dog sledding, sleigh rides and Tipi camping on the grounds.

I asked him what makes the Path of Life Garden so special.

“I believe that the garden helps people understand where they are in life, and this helps them open up their heart so that they may deal with the suffering, pain or hurt in their life,” he said. “The garden allows people to meet their true self and discover the strength and the beauty of life, and to let go of some of the pain. More than anything else, the Path of Life Garden is a place for reflection and appreciation of life.”

My visit was brief, but extraordinary still. For me, I came face to face with the beauty of slowing down and the importance of trusting others to help me along the way.

**If You Go: The Path of Life Garden is located off Route 5 in Windsor on Park Road near Great River Outfitters, Simon Pearce and Harpoon Brewery. The garden is open year-round to the public.

Categories:
camping, canoeing, Connecticut River, Gardens, hiking, hiking trails, kayaking, Land Conservation, Outdoors, snowshoeing, Things To Do, Windsor, Windsor County
4 Comments
  • Larry
    Posted at 23:22h, 05 December Reply

    I believe special gardens like that are a treasure.I have watched shows about ancient places that people believed to have a magical effect on those that visited.I’ve spent time in japanese gardens and other such places that seem to change your mood if you slow down long enough to be aware of your surroundings.

    • Erica Houskeeper
      Posted at 00:07h, 06 December Reply

      Hi Larry,
      It is pretty amazing how that happens. I definitely felt something powerful during my visit, and I will never forget the lessons I learned that day. You are right about these gardens being a treasure – we are lucky to have a place like Path of Life be so accessible.

  • Tony
    Posted at 22:22h, 06 December Reply

    Que bonito sitio, parece una buena experiencia y un buen lugar. Saludos Tony

  • Pingback:Dog Sledding in Vermont with Braeburn Siberians
    Posted at 20:34h, 09 July Reply

    […] me, thank the dogs,” Kathy cheerfully tells us after a 30-minute dog sledding excursion at the Path of Life Garden in Windsor. We follow her lead, petting and thanking the Siberian huskies for a wonderful trek […]

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