We made it through the mud, but just barely. It was a challenge, both going and getting home. We hated putting the car through that kind of treatment, but we had to go out, regardless. We haven't seen mud like this for a few years on W. Shore Rd. When we got home, I immediately called the town garage and left a message that it was really bad; I know they without a doubt have lots of roads that are just as bad or worse, but I always figure if everyone waits and doesn't call them thinking someone else must have called to let them know there's a problem, they might never know about it. So I call. They came within an hour or so. Whether it was my call or because half a dozen others called, I don't know or care, just so it got some attention. Of course, the road will break up in another spot, and that will be the m.o for the next couple of weeks, probably.

We stopped briefly in W. Danville for the mail and to take some pictures of the dam. The water is pouring over the dam as fast as possible, but it's still very high. Having high water has loosened the ice around the edges and because it's pouring through the narrows between the three ponds, both are open and stretching way into the middle and first ponds. In the first pond, there is open water almost to the bridge, and in the middle pond, it's open at least half way towards the last narrows. The ice in the main pond, where the Ice-Out contraption is set up, has practically no open water, even around the edges.






These pictures will give you an idea of how the pond is opening up. The first one is the long strip in the first and smallest pond at West Danville. The second picture is taken from Rte. 2 and you can't really see the narrows, but it's a little to the left of the cottage, and water is open just a little past the right frame of the picture, which is about mid way of that section of the pond.

Fred took some pictures of the flag and the ice. We took one with lots of zoom from W. Shore Rd. which makes it look very close to shore, but in the next one, taken from the fishing access, you can see that the flag is way out on the ice at the far left of the picture, and there is a lot of junk left on the ice from the fishing shanties. They sometimes get frozen into the ice and then parts of them get left behind.










This is for all you people who save stuff - and for those other folks who chide you for doing so. Homer sent me this today - he said he and Elsie went to the household auction, and that "John Black was there for days finding money, etc. for the Granite Bank." Here's the story: Miller Collection

We had notification from Henretta Splain about the next "Inspired Dinner." She didn't say where it will be, but here's some info:

The date for the next Pope Memorial Library Inspired Dinner is May 21 at 6 pm. The dinner will be Indian Cuisine based on the movie Monsoon Wedding. Here's the menu:

Tandoori Shrimp
Chicken Tikka Masala
Aloo Gobi (cauliflower potato)
Spiced Basmati Rice
Raita
Tomato Chutney
Naan
Carrot Halva (Indian Sweet Carrot Pudding)

Please call me, Henretta Splain 563-2478, or Susan Tallman 684-3836 or the Pope Memorial Library at 684-2256, if you would like to make a reservation. The suggested donation for dinner is $25.

Doesn't that sound good? These are very interesting gatherings, and the food is always superb. We've had great reports about all of them. Henretta said plans for the June dinner are incomplete, but they believe it will have a Turkish menu.

It's quite possible we'll wake up to more snow tomorrow. It was raining earlier this evening, and now the temperature is 32 degrees, and we're expecting colder weather for the next few days. However, we're supposed to have more sunshine, and if the temperature stays cooler, it may slow the melting and flooding. Several roads around the state have been closed or partially closed due to high water this week. It's spring with a vengeance here, especially in the West Danville, Walden, Cabot area. In St. Johnsbury today there was hardly any snow left and we noted a tinge of green grass along the roadsides, and especially on lawns in town. We're always a little behind when it comes to spring, but the good news is, we're usually first to get snow!