(Note, I posted this most places on Sept 12, as Florence approached - but remote interface for WordPress was acting flaky. Sorry it's late, the sentiment still holds true!) Calm before the storm. Out on the fringes of the Florence cloud deck, thinking of all those enduring the fury. Y'all stay safe!
Weather
Sailing Intro, Under Harsh Conditions
We had the opportunity this weekend to get some boys out on a Pearson 37 sailboat, the designation 37 referring to its overall length, in feet. Weather was not great - 20 knots sustained, heavy rain which came at you horizontally, and 3-foot swells. Despite that, we went sailing! Two reefs in the main, a…Read more Sailing Intro, Under Harsh Conditions
Summer?
Around here, meteorologically at least, spring has been sort of hard to get a grip on. We've gone from weeks of rain (very spring-y), to cold dreary late-winter holdouts interspersed with days of mid-summer 90-degree temps and high humidity. It's been a confusing time -- and so it's hard to really get a grip on…Read more Summer?
“Bright Spring”
We have just entered the fourth season of the year, and it's one of my favorites! This is based on the 8-season model I wrote about earlier in the year, where we consider both temperature AND sunlight. In "Bright Spring", we enjoy some of the longest days of the year - at my latitude we…Read more “Bright Spring”
Pif… Pif…
April 7. I know the view of the river, the marsh and the forest beyond is remarkable. I could see it a few hours ago. Geese maneuvered through the remnants of last fall's cattails, and the air was filled with calls from a pair of recently returned ospreys getting reacquainted. Now, I can't see more…Read more Pif… Pif…
Dreary
It's been raining for a long time now, days on end. Rain and thorns seem to embody the collective mood, caught between winter and spring. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
It Can’t Be Spring
I heard my first spring peepers this weekend. Friday, Feb 16, they were peeping away... It had been warm (and rainy) for days. Saturday, the temperature dropped again (good thing, because I had a bunch of Scouts out skiing - it wasn't too bad, and we actually had snow falling for several hours while we…Read more It Can’t Be Spring
Battling Mother Nature
Mid-Atlantic ski resorts have had a challenging winter. Started cold, but for the last few weeks we've seen late spring 60's and rain. Then shortly after I took this, snow, sleet and fog. At least the trails are obvious!
Thirty Four (F) and Rain
We need the rain.... but this is the worst combination of precipitation and temperature. I would much prefer 20 degrees colder, and snow, to a drenching, hypothermia-inducing rain. But I don't get to decide what Mother Nature is up to! Just thankful to have a warm cozy place to hunker down until the weather improves!
The Eight (Yes, Eight) Seasons
Welcome to Groundhog Days! We're entering the second of eight outdoor seasons this year - Groundhog Days are that period where it's still winter-cold, but the skies are brightening. This combo means ideal conditions for winter camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc. - Cold, brisk winter weather, snow, but with lengthening afternoons that actually give you…Read more The Eight (Yes, Eight) Seasons
Silent Winter
The muffling effect of snow, the hibernation of animals, the calm of a cold morning. The world is holding its breath waiting for the warmth to return. A snowy forest would have conveyed this nicely - but the sight of all these paddleboards waiting idly in the snow, next to a frozen river, is also…Read more Silent Winter
Advection Fog
Beautiful pic from our run this morning. 60deg warm, moist on top of the snow made for some nice advection fog views. This is on the Assabet River Rail Trail. Photo Credit - Tom Hesbach
Ice Giving Way To Fog
We've actually seen temps crack above freezing this week, and the warmer air can hold the moisture of the melting ice and snow. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
Patterns in the Ice
The frozen surface of a tidal river - the ridges and patterns that form with the push and heave of changing tides are really interesting. Almost like a terraced garden. The Arctic in minature? Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
Ice Boats?
The sailing fleet is stranded, and there are no ice boats around to take their place. It's so rare to see this (brackish) river frozen over, I guess nobody thought they'd be needed! Photo credit - Lynn Abbott
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 