One More Chance!

 The deadline to have comments in regarding changes to the wake boat rules on Vermont ponds and lakes has been extended to this Friday, the 28th, so there is still time for you to let the folks in Montpelier know how you feel about having wake boats on small bodies of water like Joe's Pond. Go to the Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes site (RWVL) where you will find instructions on how to comment. Even if you have commented previously, do it again, and have your friends and family do the same. Lawmakers need to know we how we feel about this. 

We know first hand here at Joe's Pond the damage and disruption the big boats can cause. Even when operating in the legal limits as set forth in present state rulings, the wakes are large and dangerous to smaller crafts, swimmers, and shorelines.They stir up and disrupt natural vegetation and will continue the spread of the dreaded milfoil we are trying to control. It will only take a few moments of your time - go to the page and send your comment.

Yesterday was a pretty nice day here while the southern part of the state and eastern coastline were being socked with a brutal storm. Our temperature was moderate, in the 20s, but during the night we dropped into the single numbers above zero again - and this morning there was nearly an inch of very light, dry snow covering everything, which I'm not complaining about, but was totally surprised to see. In addition, there was a really mean wind that sent the "feels like" temperature down to around 10 below zero. I hadn't expected the wind, either, but fortunately I dressed for the cold when I went outside to measure the snow around 9 a.m. - slapping a pair of furry earmuffs on and slipping into my cleated winter boots. When I opened the door, a gust of wind nearly whipped the storm door out of my grasp and swirling snow off the roof pelted my face. Within seconds, I felt the cold penetrating my unlined jeans and light gloves. I wasted no time clearing the snow from the deck and getting measurements so I could dash back inside. The sun is out and it looks deceivingly inviting - but the temperature is only 16 degrees at high noon! And the wind is still gusting to 10-15 mph, so it's not as pleasant as it looks. 

Yesterday I was corresponding with Cousin Ora and her family, many of whom are scattered along the New England seacoast from Rhode Island to Boston - but also in the NYC/Philadelphia area. Everyone is safe, but oh, the snow! One, fortunate enough to be in Florida, was worried about his northern family and also about freezing temperatures expected in Florida. Ora, in Rhode Island, wrote at 10 a.m. that the snow was almost two feet deep against her house and was sticking to the windows. Plows had been through the condo community where she lives, but the banks were already about 10 ft. high from a previous storm, so finding places to put the snow was becoming impossible. She sent a picture of a visiting turkey on her deck - poor thing, probably desperately looking for an easy lunch. Finding food with all the snow blanketing everything is difficult for wildlife. 

Another friend who is in Ventura, California, was enjoying 70 degree temperatures yesterday - pretty normal there, he said, and the reason he and his wife live there during winter time, but return to Vermont from May to late October. Good plan! Even Alaska has been warmer than Vermont most of this winter. They have had record low snow count this February. They usually have much more on the ground than they do this year, and have had much milder temperatures. 

Right now, a few miles northwest of us, Mt. Mansfield has 81 in. of snow - just under 7 ft. at the stake on top of the mountain; I'm guessing here at Joe's Pond we have at least half that amount - not record snow amounts for the mountain or for us, but I bet we have had more below-zero readings this year than most winters. I'm glad I'm not having to feed a wood stove to keep warm! 

Cheers to all - March will usher in spring! And maybe more storms. It can be a troublesome month, weather-wise.