Morning Ice Report

 We are definitely taking a break from spring-like weather today. Both Saturday night and last night were colder than normal - 11 degrees for a low Saturday night and 14 was the low last night. Now we're seeing 24 degrees, but there is a brisk wind with snow flurries! The snow doesn't seem to be sticking much at all, but it's discouraging watching it blow by the windows. I still have plenty of snow around my house and pond, but some bare ground, too. 

Diane took this photo early this morning. The sun never made it to shining stage - it's been completely obliterated by clouds and snowflakes!

Someone recently asked about the stakes that are set in the ice to support the rope on the contest setup so it won't get frozen into the ice. The stakes are less than effective most years. I think this year by the second or third day some of them had collapsed. The guys drill into the ice to set them up, but like the snow melting around the bases of trees this time of year, melting happens and over they go. Just about every year the rope gets frozen into the ice at some point, so it's just a matter of chance when it will happen and how strong the icy bond is holding the rope when the block wants to sink. Sometimes it's strong enough so the block and flag are under water for a day or so, so everyone thinks the contest must be over. But until the rope is released and the block actually sinks enough to tighten the rope and stop the clock, it isn't over! Every year is a little different.

Vermont Digger did an recent article that included our Joe's Pond Ice-Out Contest.

Although we've had some cold nights, there is still a warming effect going on so the ice is very gradually melting. This morning there were some people walking a dog on the ice - probably not the safest place to walk, but given the condition of our roads at the moment, we can understand their reasoning. I would not want to take chances on the ice now. There can be hidden soft or thin spots due to varying currents, runoff from culverts, or springs within the pond's depths. Any of those things can make the ice unsafe any time of the year - but especially now when we have already seen a decrease in ice of about 50%.

As for Mud Season on West Shore Road - it has been really bad for several days last week and especially this weekend. Thais morning I saw several truckloads of gravel or fill of some kind heading down past my house. I'm sure they were filling in the extreme mud bog that developed from about Randall's driveway all the way past Chatot's. There are plenty more spots further along W. Shore Rd. that need attention. I was glad to see that Cabot was on the job early this morning.

Bill, Monika, and Tangeni came for lunch yesterday. I had warned them about the road, so they came in the Hummer. No problem, but it looked like it had been in a mud-bog duel when it got to my house. Bill and Tangeni had made a big seafood chowder, and it was so good! Best chowder ever - worthy of the Coast of Maine. Bill said he had frozen leftover shrimp from hosting our Christmas Eve party, so added more seafood to it, with lots of cream and seasonings. Fortunately for me, there was enough left over for my lunch today - or maybe I'll have it with a salad tonight. Nice to look forward to!  I happened to have made a batch of egg salad on Saturday, so we had sandwiches with our chowder - I hardly needed anything for my supper. 

Tangeni is heading to St. Michael's College this afternoon to participate in the annual Vermont Spelling Bee. She has represented her school (Waterford Elementary) every year since I think she said fifth grade - except they suspended the contest during Covid. She spends a large amount of time preparing for this, and told me yesterday she is really glad that this will be her last year. She will be going to St. Johnsbury Academy next year - hard to believe! Time has slipped by so quickly. Here us a photo of her with Grampa Fred when she was 1 year old, and on the right, skiing last spring with Uncle Bob. She has grown another 4-5 inches since that photo was taken - she is taller than I am now! I think she must be at least 5' 6" or maybe more. She skied at Jap Peak with Uncle Bob last week and they were both worn out when they got home that night. Bob told me recently that he has a hard time keeping up with her now. They do off-trail skiing and although Tangeni didn't admit it, I think now there may be a little competition going on. Bob is thrilled to have a ski buddy - I think he has worn out most of his former skiing companions! But he's kind of got skiing in his blood, I suppose - his dad and Grandfather Dimick were both avid skiers.

One other little note - Cousin Ora recently celebrated her 90th birthday! Like some other people I know, her birthday celebration has gone on for an extended period - which is lovely, especially when it is a big one like this! Here she is on the right with her friend Kate celebrating with some 30 friends in the community where Ora lives in Warwick, RI. Lovely flowers and beautiful cake! Congratulations, Ora - looking good!

Enjoy your day, wherever you are, be safe and Think Spring!