Snow and Ice

The winter storm we had the last few days left a beautiful winter day.  I had to rake the snow of the porch roofs, clean up the driveway from all the windblown snow, and shovel paths out to the barn.  We are expecting a significant warm up followed by another deep freeze and wanted to get all the snow out of the way lest it freezes into a solid block of ice!

I decided to get a small snow shoe trek in.  I headed to Jenksville State Forest.  There are a series of trails there that I have biked upon, but never visited in the winter.  The access area was plowed out, and I headed into the 'red' trails (the red are on the east of the area, the blue in the middle, and yellow to the west).

Though we had very strong winds, the trees were still covered in snow.  Absolutely beautiful!

I was out around noon, but the low sun cast long shadows in the snow.

I followed the road into the area for a bit, then headed to the north following a dubious trail sign.  The trail was initially apparent, but there were no markers.  That's okay.  I headed north for a while, then east a bit, and then back south.  I knew I'd hit the access road.

Along the way I came across frozen streams.  The ice crystals were amazing.

I came back on the main trail, and then headed east.  I knew the trail would take me to the ridge line to the east.

The trail was pristine.  I don't know how many people visit this area in the winter.  I was working up quite a sweat breaking trail.

The road crossed several small streams and rivulets.  There was running melt water under the ice, with the exposed areas giving up water vapor which formed the most interesting ice crystals.

The evergreen trees were covered in blankets of snow.

It was interesting how the trees on the north side of the trail were mostly hardwoods.  It was sunny and open-feeling in that wood.

However, the south side of the trail was wooded by spruce and hemlock.  The snow-laden bough were creaking in the wind.  The wood had a dark and angry feel to it.

I came to the ridge line overlooking the valley below.  In the distance were the farms and towns I cycle through in the summer.

I was tired after a morning of exercise and work.  I headed back to the car.  I crossed a little bridge over a frozen stream.  The huge flakes of ice crystal covered the frozen stream.

The snow and ice are ephemeral.  The temperatures will rise well above freezing and will be accompanied by rain.  These treasures will be gone soon . . .

My Day Off

We had a steady snowfall all day yesterday.  I good day to work from home.  The snow was piling up, and the roads were very slick. I had to set the trash cans by the road, but decided to wait until the snow had stopped and I could plow the driveway out.

I awoke at 4:00 AM.  I grabbed the phone to see what the weather was like.  The snow had nearly ended, but it was cold!  It was 2 degF and expected to get even colder.  Ouch - and I had the day off!

Grumble, grumble.  The trash truck will arrive before 9:00 AM.  Do I wait until 7:00 and go out when its even colder, or shovel out now?  I guess I'll go out now.  On with the cold weather gear.  And it is my day off!

I have to shovel off the porch first, then shovel out the trash cans and recycling bins.

Luckily the snow is light.  It was windy and the snow was blowing about and in my face.  Stinging and freezing me to the core.  And it was my day off!

I used the snow blower to clear all the snow.  It took about 90 minutes.  I was very cold.  The sun would not be up for another 2 hours.  Arghh!  And it was my day off.

I set the cans by the road, and then went indoors.  It was warm inside and very toasty!  I decided to go back to bed . . .

. . . and why not?  Well, it is my day off!

Ice and Snow

It was very mild 1 week ago. The rain melted the snow away and our temperatures were in the 40's.

A cold snap moved in, and we had a new batch of snow.

Then it warmed up again.  The mix of cold and warmth have turned all the snow into ice.  The ice started to build up on the roof and curl about.  I sure don't want it to break off unexpectedly.

These ice curls are common on metal roofs.  I see them a lot on the old chicken coop and the barn roof.

We are heading into a cold spell.  The creek is starting to freeze up.

We are expecting more snow later this week.  Maybe there will have enough to get some cross country skiing in . . .

An Old Story

An old story I will tell my grandchildren this year . . .

A long time ago a wondrous star appeared high in the sky.

Some shepherds saw the star.  They followed it to see where it was going.

They came across some kings from a far off land to the east.The kings were also following the star.  They decided to travel together.

In time they came to a little town.  The star stopped over a little stable.  Inside they met a man and his wife.

They found a small baby laying in a manger.  The baby was beautiful and made the shepherds and kings feel very joyful.

They gave the baby gifts.  In that moment the whole world was at peace.  All was calm, all was bright.

Enjoy the season!

And It Is...

In my last post I had started on a little project.

What was it?

Can you guess?

Why it's Santa, two elves, and a red-nosed reindeer!

Just a little something for my granddaughters!

Happy Holidays!

What's He Up to Now?

I find myself rushing to finish a little last minute project.  This has been banging around in the back of my mind for a while.  I then saw a show on television which gave me a few ideas which motivate me to take the idea in a different direction.

I start with some square stock - in this case some 1.5" x 1.5" red oak (about 18" long).

I cut them to various lengths, and finish one end with a 45 degree compound miter cut (I do this on my table saw using a scrap block cut at 45 degree as a jig).

I have a longer piece . . .

Two pieces of equal length, but shorter than the first . . .

One roughly midway in length between the first and the two similar pieces.

I cut out a piece of the mitered end . . .

I end up with four pieces which fit together like this -

. . . and from another angle -

Next step is to smooth over the edges, and then paint it (them).  Do you know what this will be?

Unseen

We rush around.  Get up, make coffee, run to the dump, work out, clean the pellet stove ,get the mail, make dinner, start our Christmas preparations.  We run a similar pattern the next day.  Our energies are focused and directed.  We go to bed at night, feeling all was complete.

I was going out this morning to follow the same patterns.  I was bringing some boxes to the garage.

And then I saw them in snow . . .

Deer had been by in the night.  We had multiple set of tracks about the barn, following the creek, and then off through some thicket to their next haunt.  We aren't the only ones about who have thins to do!

I followed the deer track about.  Then I came across some prints from a crow . . .

I walked about the house and came across this hole by the foundation. I had seen a chipmunk scurrying about weeks ago.  Now, it is probably in its restless winter sleep.  It is well that they are sleeping, as this entrance will be covered with snow once we get the first big snow.

I hope you get a chance in this busy season to stop for a moment, look around, and see what the other creatures around us are doing this time of year.

Rain and Snow

A storm system pushed through the area over the last few days.  We started with cold temperatures and a few inches of snow.  The battle between cold and warm was in full swing, and the rain pushed in. The battle was on.  Would the rain win, the snow, or the worst of all truces - the ice?

At first I thought the ice would win . . .

. . . but ten there was a lot of rain.  The creek was up quite a bit . . .

Then the temperature fell, and there was still snow about.

The winter war has started.  The snow has won the first battle.  There will be many more.

Brrr!

We had a bit of snow overnight and very cold temperatures.  The snow started as light, fluffy flakes.

We seem to be in a snow belt.  Bands of snow blow down from Lake Ontario.  We're not near the lake, but our town will get many inches of snow, but we can drive 5 miles south and it will be dry!

We awoke to a few inches.  Nothing too serious.  The snow was pretty.  It can get in the way and be a nuisance, but I always like watching it come down.

We had enough to plow (I actually like to mow my grass and plow my snow...).  We were going to visit my sister, so I had to clean up the driveway and walks.  It is easy work with the plow.

We drove an hour to my sister's place.  Not much snow, but the cold weather was really starting to ice-up the waterfalls in the area.  Nice!

Enjoy!

Confusion

I feel sorry for the little Woolly Bears.  The weather has been quite fickle.  The week has been one of constant change.

It started like a typical November (like I always say - "No sun, No snow, No color, November..."). All is still and grey.

Last weekend I finished the yard work.  I raked the last of the leaves, dropped the mower deck off the tractor, put on the plot blades, threw some straggler plants into the compost bins, dragged out the snow shovels, cleaned out the gutters, and put a few more snow guards on the roof (we lost a door hood due to an snow slide - it won't happen this year).  Of course, the weather decided to taunt me - snow and freezing rain while I worked!

My timing was good.  We had cold front move through by mid-week.  A little snow on Tuesday . . .

. . . followed by a few inches on Wednesday . . .

By the weekend it was all melted.  We have had temperatures above 50 degF the last two days!  Those poor Woolly Bears must be confused - I am!