The Fifth Season: Mud in Woodstock VT

Toward the end of March, the heavy grip of winter starts to weaken as signs of spring appear. As the
ground begins to thaw and the snow begins to melt, Woodstock Vermont transitions into its fifth season: Mud
Season. Aptly named, mud season is not quite winter and yet not quite spring, the time of year when
the earth melts by day and freezes again by night, keeping the ground heavy laden, stuck in a constant
state of mud.

Giant puddles and large piles of melting snow characterize this transitional season, as well as mud
etched clothing, mucky boots, and dirty cars. Vermonters celebrate mud season as much as they curse
it; it brings hope, renewal, and the promise of new life after the deep freeze winter. The townspeople
have even found ways to partake in mud season. It’s the ideal time of year for maple sugaring, spring
cleaning, and kayaking on flooded rivers. Some Vermonters even partake in a sport called mudding
where the operative is to see who can drive their vehicle the deepest, the fastest, and the farthest into
the mud without getting stuck.

Mud season, an unpredictable phenomenon, is different every year, and the residents of Woodstock VT
have come to understand, appreciate, and embrace this full-bodied season.