Sunday, February 20, 2011
Southward bound
Phui on the groundhog. After three months of winter, pat and I are ready for our trip to BR, so winter will be over in a week or so. We also are ready to see Kathryn Adelle and other folks there. So once again, the Vermont blog will be suspended for a few weeks. When we return, it will be the middle of mud season, the Vermont version of spring everywhere else.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Scenes from last weeks snow storm
On a cloudy day, only three colors are visible to the camera... white, grey and black. The barn in the last picture is really a pretty bright red. And the evergreen trees are just as green as a christmas tree, though it doesn't show up here. These were made on a road trip to Littleton NH, 12 miles away. The road is maintained by the town ow Waterford. It is much like a parish road in LA or a county road in Arkansas). Despite appearances, this is an easy to travel roadway. snow is graded down to hard base and it is sanded at least twice daily. The snow berms are about 3 feet high
Is cold relative.
It has been interesting to read about BR folks reactions to the cold weather they are having. Especially so, since I used to react just like that when we lived there.
The high temps for the last five days or so has been below 20 but it has been pretty sunny most days. Today I've been out shoveling snow that is 20 inch high from our back deck. I try to do it between 9 and 11 when the sun is directly on the deck, even though the early morning chill is still present. Today when I started it was about 12 degrees. I started out in a sweater and a hoodie, and mittens. Shoveling snow may not make you buff, but it is vigorous exercise. I shed the mittens quickly and the hoodie about 15 minutes later. Then the wind came up and the sun was behind a cloud, so back into the mittens and hoodie, which soon made me get hot again, so out of the hoodie and mittens until the next cloud.. Could it be that BR cold is colder than Vermont cold, just like the heat there is hotter than in Arizona?
The snow was firm enough that I was tempted to try building an igloo. I learned about this in grade school but could not remember if Nanook stomped the snow to compress it, or just used it like it was. Still have 1/3 of deck to do... perhaps I'll attempt it when I clear the rest of it. This is the third time I've cleared the deck this season, and the snow piled around the deck is nearly as high as the rail of the deck itself. It is going to be terribly wet when it all starts to thaw in a couple of months. The snow now is just right for building things. I was going to build a snowman sitting on the bench in front of the house, except now I cannot find the bench.
I also saw what may be the first sign of spring today, small as it was. Two crows flew by, one chasing and diving at the other and making chirps rather than caws. I think they were mating. Probably a better indicator than the groundhog's shadow that spring is coming.
The high temps for the last five days or so has been below 20 but it has been pretty sunny most days. Today I've been out shoveling snow that is 20 inch high from our back deck. I try to do it between 9 and 11 when the sun is directly on the deck, even though the early morning chill is still present. Today when I started it was about 12 degrees. I started out in a sweater and a hoodie, and mittens. Shoveling snow may not make you buff, but it is vigorous exercise. I shed the mittens quickly and the hoodie about 15 minutes later. Then the wind came up and the sun was behind a cloud, so back into the mittens and hoodie, which soon made me get hot again, so out of the hoodie and mittens until the next cloud.. Could it be that BR cold is colder than Vermont cold, just like the heat there is hotter than in Arizona?
The snow was firm enough that I was tempted to try building an igloo. I learned about this in grade school but could not remember if Nanook stomped the snow to compress it, or just used it like it was. Still have 1/3 of deck to do... perhaps I'll attempt it when I clear the rest of it. This is the third time I've cleared the deck this season, and the snow piled around the deck is nearly as high as the rail of the deck itself. It is going to be terribly wet when it all starts to thaw in a couple of months. The snow now is just right for building things. I was going to build a snowman sitting on the bench in front of the house, except now I cannot find the bench.
I also saw what may be the first sign of spring today, small as it was. Two crows flew by, one chasing and diving at the other and making chirps rather than caws. I think they were mating. Probably a better indicator than the groundhog's shadow that spring is coming.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Its now 3 pm and the temperature has still only 15 degrees. I spent much of the morning clearing snow from the deck, which had accumulated to about 20 inches. The wind has been blowing, alternating bright sun with grey skies. In the sun, I quickly got heated up and shed the jackets; in the clouds had to stop and get it back on. Did about half of deck before wearing out. Hope I will get it finished before this weekend. Snow is not heavy, but it has to be thrown over the 3 ft high rail and as far from the deck as possible. This is the third clearing and the pile of snow from the deck clearing is now over 4 feet high.
Yesterday, was house repairs day. Fixed the supports around a leaky shower drain, replaced sheer pin in the snow blower, got the mailbox repaired and reinstalled after someone knocked it down on Tuesday, and a did few other odds and ends. It was warmer yesterday, most of the day was in the mid 20s. Still have to get the hole in the ceiling (from the leak) repaired, but that will be a professional job.
Accumulated snowfall has finally caught up with "normal" for this time of year. Just under 50 inches. Last night, the weatherman said that Burlington has over 5 feet of snow so far this year.What is not typical is the extended sub-freezing temps. The snow is staying on the ground or piling up where it is cleared from the roads and in town the sidewalks. Towns are beginning to haul it away in dumptrucks, but that hasn't been necessary here where we are.
Yesterday, was house repairs day. Fixed the supports around a leaky shower drain, replaced sheer pin in the snow blower, got the mailbox repaired and reinstalled after someone knocked it down on Tuesday, and a did few other odds and ends. It was warmer yesterday, most of the day was in the mid 20s. Still have to get the hole in the ceiling (from the leak) repaired, but that will be a professional job.
Accumulated snowfall has finally caught up with "normal" for this time of year. Just under 50 inches. Last night, the weatherman said that Burlington has over 5 feet of snow so far this year.What is not typical is the extended sub-freezing temps. The snow is staying on the ground or piling up where it is cleared from the roads and in town the sidewalks. Towns are beginning to haul it away in dumptrucks, but that hasn't been necessary here where we are.
Monday, February 7, 2011
A walk in the woods
Just before the most recent storm dumped another 8 inches of heavy wet snow on us, I spent much of Saturday walking the snowmobile trails that comb our area. The dogs and I have been walking the roads all winter, so I am accustomed to hills and cold, but walking the trails is a new experience. Snowmobile clubs groom the trails to keep them free of fallen limbs and pack the snow somewhat, so it is a fairly clear trail to follow. Packing is a relative term, however. True you don't sink 2 feet or so like you do if you get off the trail. But it is common to hit sections where you boots dig down by six inches without snow shoes ( which I don't have.). Trails not only go up and down, but some places have significant slope from side to side. More than once I sliding down and across at the same time. I eventually got the hang of it. Much like marching in a high stepping band, only not quite so exaggerated.
The total walk was about 4 miles. Downhill through the woods, then up the road to return home. For this trip, the dogs stayed home. Four miles is too much for 15 year old Shadow. The snow could easily swallow Lucy if she were to get off the trail. Also I left the dogs because I hoped to see some deer or other animals. Sadly, I did not. I've seen deer and rabbits crossing the roads near where we live, but none on this walk.
The total walk was about 4 miles. Downhill through the woods, then up the road to return home. For this trip, the dogs stayed home. Four miles is too much for 15 year old Shadow. The snow could easily swallow Lucy if she were to get off the trail. Also I left the dogs because I hoped to see some deer or other animals. Sadly, I did not. I've seen deer and rabbits crossing the roads near where we live, but none on this walk.
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