Pond Snow

 We actually had a pretty nice day today, at least after noontime. This morning we awoke to lots of snow (I measured almost 8 inches of new snow) and wind. There were a few pretty heavy snow squalls moving through in until about 9 a.m., but they passed quickly. However, the wind persisted, so even though the sun made it out finally, it was pretty chilly and plenty of snow clouds across fields and open spaces.

Jamie stayed home today to clear driveways and push snowbanks back ready for more snow that is certain to hit us in the coming week. After lunch he called and said, "Let's take a short road trip!" I was
delighted to get out of the house and especially to have a conversation with someone other than myself. It's been a pretty long week of brutal cold temperatures that forced me to keep the insulated window blinds down all day long, raising the one by my chair only long enough to replenish the bird feeder from time to time. I talk to Jamie every morning, but most of the rest of the day my conversations are by email or text, so I sometimes find myself "thinking out loud."

Jamie picked me up and we drove around the pond and down most of the roads to see how "the other side of the pond" looked. The roads are very well kept - whoever plows for the people living there year around does a really good job. Anyone who is familiar with Joe's Pond knows that the roads leading to the shoreline cottages and homes are narrow so there is not much room to put snow. And of course, the town does not plow these roads. Keeping them open is up to the folks who live on them. Over all, I'd say folks around the pond have mastered the art!

We took a few pictures just to give you an idea of what our world is like - on a good day. We certainly don't have as much snow as some years, but after this last storm, the banks are getting pretty high. We went up Route 15 with the intention of exploring Lyford Pond roads off of Brickett's Crossing Road. However, as we started to pitch down towards the pond through the open field, the otherwise well-plowed road was seriously drifted and Jamie decided it was best not to take chances on getting stuck, so he backed out. 

We saw only one other person on our trip - our neighbor and good friend, Luke Persons was on Sandy Beach Road with his plow truck and we got to chat with him for a minute. Only a few years ago almost nobody lived here year around and the only way to access most of the camps on the pond was on snowshoes. People had to wait until about Memorial Day before the narrow dirt roads were snow and mud free enough to safely drive a car to camp. Not that everyone waited that long - nearby farmers were often called upon to pull folks

out of snowbanks or mud holes. There are still times when pond-side folks have to leave their cars near the highway and walk home, especially in the spring. Mud season can still be pretty tough, but with so many people having permanent residences here now, the roads are being kept open.

I'll let you figure out where we were when I took these pictures.

Stay warm and safe!