Looking Ahead

The days go by quickly and February is at an end. We have had no important adventures these past couple of weeks beyond going swimming, shopping, and going about our daily lives. The days are getting slightly longer, and the temperature actually reached the high forties on Friday. The snow has melted a little. Louise is doing a lot of knitting. The big news from today is that our Cocoa Beach retreat is available for February next year as well as January. So our deposit has been sent, and next winter we will spend two months in Florida!

Winter Artistry

It was a lovely, sunny day as Ryan practiced his skills with Grampy constructing not one, but two snowpeople! They had a great time and topped it off with hot chocolate. Ryan also looked very angelic hugging his Valentine bear. Louise finished her spring scarf and took a picture of it - lacy and spring-like.

Winter Day at Portage

As temperatures climb into the 30s we ventured out. Today for the first time since last fall we visited the camp. Matthew did a great job of plowing it out. We were able to walk all around it and easily get in and out of the road. We stopped for lunch at Deans where snowmobilers were gathered in great numbers. On the way home we photographed a snow bank on the Castle Hill Road that is about 12 feet. Since Gary is six feet tall, you can see how high the snow is. Yesterday we participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count, recording the species and numbers of birds that visited the feeders. 

Half way through February

The days have been very cold and windy this week as the bite of winter continues. We have been amused watching a fairly large number of birds in the feeders. Andy and Jess have come to visit as you can see. Louise is knitting a spring scarf in pastel colors. The yarn was a gift and a spring picker upper from an internet friend on one of the knitting lists. The wood fire in the fireplace is keeping us warm, and we shared a new treat from Schwans called S'mores with Andy and Jess. Just think - in a few months we will be able to make S'mores over a campfire at Portage Lake. We have some potted red tulips for Valentine's Day that certainly look like spring.

Winter Continues

As winter continues, our lives are returning to normal this week. The cold weather has abated somewhat and we have returned to our old activities. Louise's knitting is making more progress, and diet and exercise have become a priority. It has been great to reconnect with the grandchildren, as these pictures show. We have been busy getting the bird feeders filled again, cleaning house, and looking forward to longer and warmer days. 

Back Home

We arrived home on Tuesday, February 3. Two days earlier our water had been frozen and we had ice jams causing leaks. Matt did a lot of shoveling as you can see from the picture. The water was on when we got home, and the dripping had stopped. It has not been above zero any morning since we arrived. This is sort of like jumping into winter with both feet. However, February only has 28 days, and we are already on day 6. The warm beach and sunny days are becoming a memory as we face the reality of northern Maine again.

On the way home

We have driven hard for two days to try to get at least to Bob's before this next storm hits. Last night we stayed in Rocky Mount, N.C. and tonight we are in Scranton, PA. Today has been a little frustrating with directions that didn't work right, and slow speed limits. We are sharing pictures of today's trip. Notice that the palm trees, green grass, and flowers are gone. They have been replaced by brown grass, brown trees, dead foliage, and snow! We first spotted snow today in Fredericksburg, VA. By the time we reached Pennsylvania it was in all of the fields, and up in the mountains there are icy places beside the road. We are bringing home oranges to our beloved family, and it has been so cold the past two nights that Gary has had to carry the bags into the hotel to protect them. He says it is like having three babies.

 As you can see, he has put them to bed! We have a lovely free room tonight at the Clarion Hotel, earned with points from stays elsewhere, and had a very nice Italian dinner.