I had the chance to do some snowshoeing over the weekend. We got about a total 16" of snow in two storms. I was over at Denise's for two nights while my driveway was being plowed. There are acres of woods behind her house most of which are owned by the Nature Conservancy. It's GREAT place to snowshoe. There is a quarry back there and on top you can see across Lake Champlain to Vermont and sometimes all the way to the Green Mountains. Be sure to check out Denise's blog for some great pic from our snowshoeing excursions. Look for "Dog Daz" to the right ->.


Deb will be driving up on the 24th and we'll be at Denise's for Christmas day. We're planning on lots of snowshoeing during her 8 day visit.

The driveway was plowed and sanded a second time this morning. Then unexpectedly the propane truck showed up. So I've got a full 400 gallons of fuel to keep us warm.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Years.
Be well my friends.

We got the first real snow of the year last night. After predicting 5"-8" we got 11". Since it was cold during the storm, it's a very very light fluffy snow. The little shoveling I have to do, weighed next to nothing. But we expect a much bigger storm on Sunday!!

I know it's not to every ones liking, but for me the novelty of living in a place with real snow hasn't worn off. I'll be out snowshoeing around noontime today.


Checkout the forecast for the week: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USNY0727_f.html

I'm little under the weather right now. Seems I picked up a cold while visiting in Southern New Jersey last week. I'm not a pleasant person when I'm sick. Since it doesn't happen often I'm not used to it. Denise and I had hoped to drive over to Burlington, VT on Sunday to see a performance of the Metropolitan Opera broadcast live to a movie theater in High Definition. But if my head doesn't clear by then we'll have to try it some other time. I've been wanting to try this for while. You can see where you might catch this is your area:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_next.aspx

It's been plenty cold this week. The rivers are starting freeze where the current is slow. This is the East Branch of the AuSable River near the house. These rapids don't freeze completely but much of the river up and down stream from them does. It's very pretty.

We're expecting 3"-5" of snow tonight and then real snow on Sunday, maybe 12" more. They are very good at predicting the snow falls here but only 24 hours in advance. So we'll have to see. We'll definitely have a white Christmas here.

Burrr

Last night it was -4°F (-20°C) and windy, which is VERY unusual. This morning, it's as clear as can be. I'm looking forward to bundling-up and going out in the first really cold Adirondack day this winter.

Winter time and living is easy

Just a quick peek at the latest snow at Bleak House. We're in that season of at least flurries everyday. We won't have many days with the temperature above freezing, until maybe the, not uncommon, January thaw. The temperature is predicted to be 2°F (-17°C) tonight and 6°F (-14°C) tomorrow. Time to break-out the Calvados.

Let it snow, let it snow, ...

Returning to Bleak House after a week in SJ & DC celebrating Turkey Bowl XXXLIII (my annual get-together with college buddies), I found 2" of old snow on the driveway and parking area.



Finally we're getting the snow base needed for snowshoeing. A dead 30' tall, 18" diameter tree behind the house had fallen toward the parking area and broke in two. The top part landed in the parking area close to where I sometime park. Phew

The Lake Placid area has about 12" of snow. Hunting season ends December 7th. Then I'll get back into the woods for snowshoeing. The Northfield-Lake Placid trail in a 130+ mile north-south lowland trail. I've hiked a small portion near Lake Placid. This should be the perfect easy winter hike. I've 3 sets of snowshoes and trekking poles, so there is equipment for visitors. There are also places in Lake Placid to rent equipment.
(see: http://highpeakscyclery.com/page.cfm?pageID=125)

For those interested in X Country Skiing check out Cascade Cross Country Ski Center:
http://www.cascadeski.com/index.html
I've visited the shop and everyone was very nice and friendly. When there is a full moon, they do all night sking with bonfires and drinks along the trails and music in the lodge.

Here are some wild turkey tracks I found behind the house. There must have a lot of them because there are a whole lot of tracks like this.

Be well my friends

Another Tragedy

A hunter was killed on Saturday, apparently by someone in his own hunting party, in Keene. This happened about 8 miles from my house. Here's a Press Republican story about it:
http://www.pressrepublican.com/0100_news/local_story_321215415.html
He had 2 small children.

I don't have any problems with hunting. I don't hunt but I do eat meat. I don't understand how you can discharge a weapon without being 100% certain, I mean ontological certainty, that what you're trying to KILL is what you intend to kill.

Even if no charges are filled, will he lose his hunting privileges? If it was an auto accident, wouldn't he?

The towns up here are very small. The population for the Town of Keene was estimated to be 1037 in July 2007. The Town of Keene is made up of 3 so called hamlets: Keene, Keene Valley, and St. Huberts. These hamlets are 1-3 miles apart. The hamlet of Keene has maybe 300 people. Two months ago another father of 2 young children died after a fall in the woods. So anything that happens effects them profoundly.

I'll be getting safety vests, the kind construction workers wear, for snowshoeing this year.

Be well.

Indian Summer

After 2 weeks of "Indian Summer", we had the coldest morning so far this fall today: 23F (-5C). Yesterday, Jay Mtn. was covered in snow and heavy frost. The sun rise behind it made the mountain glow in silver. It was simply beautiful. Lots of frost on my car this morning and a red sun rise over Jay.

The ground is freezing so snow we get now will be here till spring. They had another 2"-3" in Lake Placid earlier this week so we're getting a base for skiing and snow shoeing. Here's a web cam for Lake Placid: http://www.whiteface.com/newsite/onmtn/webcams.php

The final electrical inspection is sometime to day. Then I can get the certificate of occupancy and the loft will be done. It has a double bed already and I'm still deciding on other furniture.

Last night Denise and I had dinner at the AuSable Inn in Keene Valley. Wednesday night is Mexican night. It was our first time at this restaurant and we were pleasantly surprised. A really nice dinning room with knotty pine walls, a great stone fireplace, nice bar and very friendly service. The regular menu looked very interesting, especially the soups, tomato basil, baked potato with ham, and another I don't remember. We went for the Mexican, that's why we went there. It was good but not great. I'd have it again but I want to try the other menu sometime soon.

I'm going to be in South Jersey for a few days next week to catch up with people then off to Turkey Bowel XXXVIII. That's the yearly get-together with my college friends. The football game isn't much anymore but we do enjoy our yearly get together. I'm having Thanksgiving here with Deb and her sisters. Diane is flying in from Fort Worth with her boy friend for the holiday.

Here's a picture from Tom and Dorlores' visit. The AuSable Chasm is a gorge on the AuSable river (after the East and West branches meet) near Port Kent. I've never done the walk along the chasm but Denise has as well as the "white water" rafting. It's on my short list of thigs to do next summer. There's also horse backing riding.

That's all for now. Be well my friends!

Fall Weather

It's teacher convention time in New Jersey, so Deb is visiting for 4 days. We did a great hike up (and I do mean up, 2000' ) Pok-O-Moonshine Mtn. on Thursday. Here's the view of the Champlain Valley from the top. There is fire tower at the top with great views of the Adirondacks also. It's well worth the sweat getting to the top but beware, it's quite a climb. At spots you're scrambling up and over rocks.

The Champlain Valley from Poke-o-Moonshine.

Last week we had the first snow of the year. Only about 1 inch here but 8 inches in Lake Placid and over a foot at the top of Whiteface Mtn. Denise's friends, Tom and Dolores, were fortunate enough to be visiting just afterward. It was a beautiful time to be in the mountains. We did a hike in the snow to Owen Pond along route 86 near Lake Placid.

(l. to r.) Denise, Dolores and Tom on the way to Owen Pond

The loft is now ready for guests. I'm really pleased with how it came out. It's a nice big room - 12'6"x16'. There is plenty of space for guests to spread out. I'm looking forward to the first of, hopefully, many to try it out.

Be well - Dutch