WINTER LIVES IN NH

This morning I woke up to at least an inch of snow on the ground and so herein lies Winter before me. As I headed out to do the daily barn chores the roads were covered with snow and the trees started to collect snow on them and for the few hours it lasted we were in the magic of the Winter wonderland effect. Here in New England and especially seacoast NH the weather at any time of year or season can change drastically in either direction. Although this is a fact of life around here, I'll take it over hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes anyday. Throughout the morning at the barn the snow turned to sleet turned to rain. The low grey and white clouds were fast moving and it was beautiful to witness. Standing at the front entrance of the barn the scene to the left at this time of year is one of a mid-slope vantage point over the fields that we hay in the summer full hosting a flock of Canadian Geese, to a collection of trees, a pond and the sparkling sapphire view of a cove ultimately leading to Great Bay. By the time I left the air was mild and the snow had turned to slush. My thoughts turned to all of the people who had to drive today..and that would be many people. Thinking ahead I wondered what the drive home would have to offer in terms of road conditions. Turned out to be clear and not slippery for the most part although I had my eyes peeled for the all elusive black ice. Between Hampton Falls and Dover I witnessed varying levels of snowfall, puddles and dryness or lackthereof on the road. I made it back without incident and the finishing moment on a day that had Winter written all over it was that my driveway was a frozen solid mess of slush and ice, the kind that forces you to be ultra careful with every step you take. Well, time to get used to this routine for a good four months I would say. Happy trails!