One Hinesburger’s passion for peaks
Recently at The Hinesburg Record we have been publishing photos from our readers in a new section named “Community Camera,” featured this month on page 11 of our print edition.
Thank you to all who have been submitting photos and please, keep them coming! We want to see what you’ve been up to and share it with others as space allows.
Roxanne Gignoux has been sending us photos of sunrises so unique, beautiful and, well, challenging, that we reached out and convinced her to share in words the how and why of her photography. We had to pester her for about two months, but she finally relented, sending us a bunch more photos plus the paragraphs that follow. Her story is unique and beautiful, as are her photos, and we hope you concur.
“I will always be grateful to my mom and dad for instilling in me the belief that movement is medicine from an early age. My dad’s passion was downhill skiing and racing, while my mom loved hiking. They took us on some amazing family hiking trips, my favorite being the Presidential Range in the White Mountains, where we stayed in the AMC huts. It’s been a dream of mine to revisit this childhood adventure, and I’m finally making it happen next summer in 2025! However, it wasn’t until I was 18 that I experienced my first sunrise hike during an Outward-Bound trip. I remember thinking it was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. Since then, catching the sunrise from a mountaintop has become a true passion of mine.
“Every hike feels like a new and unique experience, no matter how many times I’ve done it.
“There’s something magical about a sunrise – it signifies new beginnings, a chance to start fresh, and the promise of endless possibilities. When you add a breathtaking view from a mountain summit, I’m reminded of how vast and beautiful the world is – something we all need to remember these days. Recently, I’ve been hiking frequently to catch the sunrise from Vermont’s peaks, and I haven’t regretted a single outing. The hardest part is getting out of bed when it’s still dark, especially on those cold Vermont winter mornings. But the excitement always makes it worth it. You never know what kind of show nature will put on. Plus, I have two furry friends who depend on me to hit the trails. They know when I’m heading out for a hike and are always up early, eagerly waiting for me to grab my coffee and get out the door.
“While I love sharing these moments with friends and family, my solo hikes hold a special place in my heart. They give me time to reflect, reconnect with myself, and find a sense of peace – it’s almost meditative. In those quiet moments, surrounded by nature, I can fully appreciate the beauty around me and the joy that hiking brings. Each step on the trail is a reminder of the strength and resilience within me. Whether I’m with others or embracing the solitude, every hike deepens my love for the mountains and fuels my spirit for adventure.
“My husband and I discovered Hinesburg in 2004 and have been proud to call it home ever since. We got our first dog, a yellow Lab named Philo (after Mt. Philo), from the Russells in Hinesburg, and to this day, we say Philo was the best dog we ever had. He loved to hike with us, exploring many trails across Vermont. Hinesburg is truly a special community; it doesn’t get much better than what we’ve built here together. Recently, my husband and two partners, Nick Kierstead and Dave Berg, started a new native plant nursery called Verterra on Baldwin Road (verterranursery.com). The three of them share a passion for growing plants and promoting the use of native species in our landscapes. They even collaborated with our daughter’s Hinesburg Community School seventh-grade class to educate students on the benefits of native plants and support HCS in demonstrating sound land management practices. Hinesburg is a community that cares for one another and the environment. It’s this spirit of connection and shared purpose that makes Hinesburg a truly wonderful place to live.