Signs of Spring!

I had a meeting in Cabot Village yesterday which meant traveling over the Plain and down the back side of the hill - on a road that often has more snow, wind, ice, and mud, than most. We accept that Joe's Pond's location is in a "different micro climate" than even Danville, Cabot, or Marshfield; however, the Plain is yet another level closer to the heavens and thus gets even more "weather" than we do. The wind on the Plain rivals that which constantly blows through West Danville!

I was prepared for a tough trip, planned half an hour travel time (it's only about six miles from my house), and headed out. I was tempted to take Brickett's Crossing Road - it's somewhat shorter to get to pavement going that way, but the temperature had been in the single numbers overnight and the road was solidly frozen, so I stayed on the Plains road. Easy, a little rough, but I arrived with time to spare. There was hardly any snow in the Village. Of course. When I came home around noon, as I left the pavement going up Cabot Plains Road, I could see the Burtt's sugar house belching steam. They are having a bumper crop this year -- Gregg mentioned in the recent Chronicle that he expected to "crest 3500 gallons of syrup" with a run they had last week. With the cool nights and warmish days ahead, the sap is likely still running well, and I haven't seen any evidence of buds on the maples yet to taint the flavor. Seeing the steaming sugar house was a pleasure -- and only in the spring are we treated to such a spectacle!

As I climbed past the sugar house, I noticed the snowbanks along the road were higher and there was a lot more snow showing in the woods and fields. No bare spots at the higher elevation. By the cemetery on the Plain there were bare spots, but those were from being wind-swept, not from melting. Still good snowbanks up there. But the road was still firm even though it was considerably warmer. I made it home without incident. We had a good meeting, too - a dedicated group of historical society members and interested residents in town are working together to ensure that we can save the historic (1845) two-story building that is now owned by the Cabot Historical Society. The foundation has needed attention for years, and finally showed signs it was ready to give up if someone didn't pay attention. This ad hoc committee has formed to make plans for a new foundation and repairs (and possibly some upgrades -- like plumbing?!). The building was stabilized last year, and now we need to find ways to pay for the very expensive repairs through grants, fundraising, and in-kind donations. I admire the young people who have stepped up - I say young - many of them are in their 60s and 70s. They are great to work with, and I have every confidence they will get the job done, and done right.

Another lovely sign of spring came in my email this morning from Mary Whitcomb. She saw her first robin this morning on her lawn. I'm so happy she thought to share the photo with me. What a beautiful bird! No sign of them here yet, but it won't be long, I'm sure. We need a little bare ground for them to hang out here, and right now there isn't much showing.

 

Enjoy spring, wherever you are, get your Joe's Pond Ice-Out tickets in --
and beware of April Fool's pranks!