75 Degrees and Knee Deep in Snow?!

On Sunday, we were finally able to walk the whole way around our house. (That is the first time I had seen the back of the house!) We wore short sleeves and sunglasses . . . and snow boots!

Yes, spring has come to the Adirondacks. The first snow fell in October and the locals tell us the ground has been white ever since. Needless to say, those who endured the long winter are almost giddy with delight. We, too, are enjoying watching spring arrive.


My first introduction to spring happened about two weeks ago. I turned out of our driveway and headed north on Route 73 toward Keene Valley. I had barely driven a quarter of mile when a loud "whooshing" sound startled me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something white exploding out of the rock wall to my left. I nearly swerved off the road!


The girls and I were a little nervous to drive back home. I slowed down as we neared the spot and we discovered one of the wonders of Adirondack spring.

WATERFALLS!!!

No kidding - this beauty is just around the bend from our driveway.




A Keene Valley fireman told Wayne recently that the park rangers had tried to measure the snow on the High Peaks. Their probe was 9 feet long and they couldn't hit bottom! That's a lot of snow to melt!

As the temperatures climb, new waterfalls are created and regular ones swell. This picture is of Roaring Brook Falls - 2 miles from our house. The falls cascade over 300 feet down the mountain. This spot is popular with photographers and rock climbers. A hiking trail goes right up and over the falls. I'm not sure I have the guts to climb that one.



As all that snow melts, another Adirondack phenomenon is created: MUD!!!


This picture was taken in . . . our driveway! Spring in the Adirondacks is also known as "Mud Season." In fact, things get so mucky that the schools close for two weeks. Many of the locals take vacations to escape the mud. Others (like us) use the time to fix up their establishments before tourist season begins.






Four-Wheelin' anyone?!

You would have gotten a good chuckle if you'd seen me fish-tailing my way up the driveway. I knew if I stopped, I'd sink - so I just closed my eyes and kept on churning. We're taking donations for gravel . . .





When we moved in, there was a huge white mound in the backyard - looked like a buried Volkswagon!

Well - now we can see it for what it is . . . a rock!

My picture doesn't do it justice - there are so many beautiful colors of brown, green, grey - even pinkish hues. Guess you'll just have to come and see it in person.



We are blessed to live right across the road from the beautiful Ausable River. Right now the water is flowing swiftly from all the snow melt. We can hear it babbling over the rocks from our front porch. I'm sure once it's warm enough to sleep with the windows open, we'll enjoy falling asleep to its song.




Still haven't seen a tulip or a daffodil, but they tell me they're coming! For now, we'll just enjoy the signs of Spring that have arrived.

Gotta go paint - those tourists are coming!