February brings surprises.......

Despite the very cold temps, February does not cease to amaze. Whether it is the bird visitors like this barred owl,

or the many redpolls, evening grosbeaks and snow buntings coming to feeders, this winter is showing some new activities to celebrate. When we first moved here, an ice castle was built in Newport for the winter festival. This year the castle has been replaced by the Ice Maze,

a variation on the fascination that Vermonters have with finding there way out of places, like the many Corn Mazes  at the end of summer.The festival this year was complete with fireworks and drone photography Take this.....Saranac Lake!!!   Building the Ice Maze  and the fireworks over the Ice Maze  by drone! What amazing way to see this area. And what a good idea for finding our way OUT of winter. It won't be long.....will it?

What January is all about.....

Finally, we see the sun rise

 Several weeks have passed, perhaps a month without seeing the sunrise.

 The sun breaking on the snow-covered trees, the birds awake and find the feeders.

Some trees may straighten up.
The lighted tree always looks better with snow on it.

What we have to do..... sigh

For a week the snow has been building up on the trees and ground. Finally John cleared away what there is as we wait for the next storm next week. The tractor is heated so it is not too bad. The trees may suffer more this year than in years past if they can't shed the weight.

January thaw???  Please come sooner.

Winter Windows....

A week of the wintery mix, mostly snow has covered and coated everything with the heaviest snow I can remember. Impossible to shovel, hard to remove, but somehow it is beautiful.

From the windows, the gray birches are again resting on the roof. We will shake them to lighten the load and hopefully prevent permanent curvatures or damage.

I just got a glimpse of "what like to call, SUN" through the dense clouds. There is word of a change for tomorrow. Good, maybe we can go somewhere. Such fun.!!

Meet Priscilla.....

The RV that we discovered on our trip out west in May has made its way to live with us. Airstream gone. This small motor home is named Priscilla, inspired by the bus in the movie The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The graphics fit right along with this windswept scene from the film. However, I will not be riding on top of it, seated in a giant silver stiletto, singing opera.

Go to this address on flikr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/nekcarolyn/sets/72157648285243930/
 and watch a slideshow of the this wonderful machine. We have found it, the way to travel for our future, .......FINALLY.