Bruce Laidlaw loves all kinds of weather. He especially loves snow. This week he is a happy man. Katherine and I offered to help him groom the cross-country trail at Barnes Park, but I think he’s having too much fun doing it himself. He wrote: I may have done all the heavy work that needs doing. What we really need is more skiers and walkers so that snowmobiles will be discouraged from coming into the park and wrecking the trails. Of course, I have to use a snowmobile to pull the super groomer. I bought a nice quiet 4 cycle engine machine so I would cause as little disturbance as possible.
No more whining about the need for more snow. It keeps coming and coming. Hard for the trail groomer to keep up.
Unless I get stuck (it happens from time to time and involves a lot of work), I can’t think of how I can use help. Running the groomer through narrow openings in the park is a skill that takes time to perfect. Fortunately there is a shear pin in the connection to the snowmobile that disconnects things if I happen to snag a tree. I don’t have to replace it as often as I used to.
A snowy owl kept an eye on us.
Andi picked up about an inch of snow on her hat while touring the trail loop.
Torch Lake Views 
Leslie
January 15, 2009
I have ice tea with ice cubes, a wheat pack that was in the freezer on my lap, 2 fans and 2 bonairs on me.
It’s 98.6 in your degrees, here.
uphilldowndale
January 15, 2009
I can almost feel the quietness, all that and an owl as a bonus
p.j. grath
January 15, 2009
Those snow pictures are beautiful, Gerry. We are in Tennessee this morning, and we left the snow behind in Illinois, but by a cruel twist of fate the weather forecast is calling for single-digit temperatures HERE! It’s supposed to be “up” in the 30’s in Florida, so we’ll keep rolling south, grateful for a good heater in the van.
Katherine
January 15, 2009
And it keeps on coming down. It’s about 7 degrees outside right now and even though I don’t like real hot weather, even 98.6 degrees sounds good about now!
Beth Toner
January 15, 2009
I’ll be right there!
Gerry
January 15, 2009
I’m shoveling as fast as I can. When I find the woodpile and the Cowboy I’ll get back to posting.
(I’m kidding about the Cowboy. I can see his stubby little tail. Just.)
Marilyn Cobb
January 15, 2009
I’ve been out on the trail the last two days and found out that the x-c skis were the way to go. Snowshoes were way too much work with all that snow, but the skis just floated along like magic. Thanks to Bruce for doing the grooming.
giiid
January 16, 2009
It looks so calm and beautiful. I wish I was there.
Elva
January 21, 2009
It’s wonderful to read from people in the area. It’s been really warm here but a cold spell dropped in on us last night and it’s down to 45. Sun is out tho and I think it might go up to 60 today. Enjoy your snow and fireplaces – it’ll be over before you know it. Incidentally, “here” is in Florida.
Gerry
January 21, 2009
Oh, Elva, you rascal. Just so you know, it’s gotten up to a relatively balmy 25 here on the Big Bay on Big Blue, and the wind was from the south when I took the dogs for their walk a little while ago.