I think we’ve just had our final big storm for 2016, and it was a wild and crazy one. You may have heard rumors of it. Even my sister and brother-in-law in California were worried about the “monster storm” they heard was headed for New England.
We haven’t had too much snow this winter — up to now. Yesterday morning about 7:15, as I walked to meet a friend for breakfast, I stopped to take a photo of the lighthouse gazebo on Main Street. There was still a trace of snow from last week. While we were at breakfast, it began to snow a bit, but that wasn’t the storm. No, that was only a little warm-up, if you can call snow a warm-up. By the time I got home, we had maybe an inch of “pre-storm” on the ground. It soon stopped and moved on to make way for the real deal.
All was calm for a couple of hours, and then it began to snow in earnest. Perhaps four inches fell over the next few hours, before switching over to rain that poured down in the evening, washing away most of the snow. But we weren’t done yet! It got colder again and switched back to snow, which was falling steadily when I went to bed around 10:30. I’d guess we got another six inches or so overnight.
By this morning the world was transformed. The first order of business was to dig out both of our cars and remove them from the parking lot by 8:00 so it could be plowed. But first I had to take a picture of the soft pink sunrise clouds.
Let’s just skip over the actual hard labor part. I got enough exercise to feel justified in skipping my fitness class this morning! I was tired and cold, but my reward to myself was to go walking and try to get a few photos with my iPhone. Here’s a bit of what I saw.
Old Faithful
Behind the building: I’m so grateful for the faithful boiler that produces that
picturesque steam — and the heat that warms my apartment.
These black twigs make beautiful patterns against the snow.
I love this tree in every season.
Evidence of the wind: snow plastered against the side of the tree trunks.
A spark of red in a blue and white world.
In front of the building, rhododendrons conserve energy by letting their leaves “wilt.”
The gate is locked and the park closed until spring. So sad!
This is ice and snow on the water downstream from the bridge.
Does anyone else see a message?
More ice/snow on the river. I’ve never seen it like this before.
A glimpse of the Amtrak train station across the river.
The Sunny Side
Heading home to have my coffee and get warm!
May this New Year’s weekend find you happy, healthy, safe and warm. I wish you all a wonderful 2017!