Green Mountain National Golf Course from the air looking north down Route 100.

Green Mountain National Golf Course from the air looking north down Route 100.

In the next day the northern hemisphere of the earth will experience the Autumnal Equinox. This year astronomers calculate it will take place on September 22 at 2:49 PM GMT. In simple terms, it means what we have already known at Killington for several weeks : Fall is here. In a more complicated discussion, it means that the sun for the next 6 months will lie south of the equator; delivering less energy to the atmosphere of the northern hemisphere leading us into winter. (Which if you live at a ski resort in the northern hemisphere like we do is a very good thing!)

Yesterday I had the privilege of getting an aerial view of Killington and the surrounding Green Mountains of Vermont via helicopter. The 15 minute helicopter ride is one of the signature elements of a golf tournament hosted each year by Casey Crompton and the Sante Fe Steakhouse in Killington. The helicopter takes off and lands in the driving range of Green Mountain National. In earlier tournaments, it shuttled golfers back and forth between the Green Mountain National course and the Killington Resort golf course. For the last several years, instead of acting as a between course shuttle service, tournament players were treated to a scenic ride around the Green Mountains.

Every time I see the Green Mountains from the air, I am struck by their beauty. On every turn the change in seasons in the mountains is making a statement. The bright green of the manicured lawns of the golf course shine like a jewel in a forest whose green canopy is starting to turn rust colored. The azure blue of the many large and small ponds in the area reflect the bright sunshine. You get the sense looking down on the mountains that a huge fuse has been lit; that the whole scene is just moments away from exploding in star burst after star burst of brilliant color.

Fall is definitely settling over the Green Mountains... and it's going to be one helluva show!

Where ever you may be keep it in the fairway, and don't forget your sun screen!(and depending upon where your are, maybe pack a sweater!)