Waiting

The streams and most rivers are nearly frozen.

The lakes are fairly ice free, but the bays are mostly ice choked.

My kayak waits patiently in the barn.

I can't wait to be back on the water...

Brrrrrrrrrr!!!

Don't get me wrong.  I like the winter.  I like being outside, enjoying the snow, skiing, snowshoeing.  Heck, I even bicycle in the winter.

But when it get below 10 degF, it is too cold.

Yesterday at 4:30 PM (6 degF)

Yesterday at 9:30 PM (-2 degF)

Today at 7:30 AM (-18 degF ... YIKES!)

Today at 6:00 PM (-2 degF)

When I got home from work, the wife told me the cold water line in the kitchen had frozen.  The maintenance man was over and had it going after 30 minutes.  We probably need to let the water trickle all night!  Luckily, it will only get to -3 degF tonight!

Please stay warm and safe.  Watch out for those who might need our help.

Happy Birthday Mom

It's been over 8 years since you and Dad passed away. 

We still think about you all the time.

I'd love to get a great, big hug from you again.

Happy Birthday!

My Morning X-Country Skiing

Step step step kick glide step kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide step  step kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide step stumble step kick glide kick glide kick glide . . .

. . .  kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide stumble fall oomph! step kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick . . .

. . .  kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide stumble fall oomph! step kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick . . .

. . . step step kick glide wheee!  wheee!  kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide kick glide step step step whoo.

Dirty, Dirty, Dirty

Can you believe it.  It is January 2nd and I was out for a bike ride.  For more southern readers, you might not think this is a big deal.  But here in the northeast, our typical high is around 28 degF.  Kinda cold for cycling (though I will do it if the roads are dry).  But today, it was around 40 degF.  I just had to get out and enjoy the day.

The roads were wet.  It rained yesterday, and the snow was melting.  The roads were also covered in sand and mud.  The sky was grey.  I rode by the river.  It was still ice-covered.  The farm fields were mostly snow-free.  The snow-melt was flowing in the drainage ditches and gullies.  It is expected to cool off again, and the water will soon freeze.  It may be a while before we see water in its liquid form!

When I got back, I had to clean my bike.  It was very dirty.  I wiped it down and rinsed it off.

I look forward to my next ride.  Just waiting for the weather to cooperate.