Weather Observations and Our Driveway

It has already shaped up to be muddy mud season, but one thing even I, Johnny Flatlander, have noticed, and that is how early the Spring is arriving. It has been commented on by several locals, but I recall last year burning wood into June-for the record, I'm a little embarrassed by this lack of fortitude, but remember, I'm still a real man in training. Either way, it's now April, and I can't see us burning wood into May, but it's still early. I definitely can't imagine getting anymore snow, but you just never know.

The yard is almost completely clear of snow, and I've even begun the process of yardwork, if you can believe that. Raking is the theme of the week, and once that gets cleared up, I can start thinking about getting the lawnmower tuned up. And of course, there is the issue of my chainsaw, but I won't bore you with that.

Living in New England really builds your stamina, because there is always something that needs to be done, and it can be hard work, but in the best sort of way.

We had an excavator come our and check out our driveway because it's going to need some work at some point in the future, or should I say, very near future. We want to resurface it, at least pour some hard pack over it because it's getting pretty bad. It will be interesting to see what the estimate comes out to because we'd really like to see it get done.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Andrei Ghergar for the pic.

Mud Season Hell and a Bad Sugar Season

Now I'm no expert on life in Vermont, being a Flatlander and real man in training, but the road leading to our house is exceptionally bad. So bad that I would go so far as to say it's borderline impassable. Granted, it's a small dirt road, but it gets a fair amount of traffic, and I don't think people realize what they're getting into. We've had to forsake one direction for fear of getting completely stuck, it's that bad.

Our neighbor and local icon EB said it's one of the worst, if not the worst, conditions for the road he's ever seen, and he grew up here. We went for a walk up the hill and found even walking on it a bit of a challenge. The mud was so thick and deep that it pulled the boots right off our feet. A woman walking along the road also commented that this was the worst she'd seen, so things are pretty crazy.

The reason I've been told this is happening is that it's become too warm, too quickly. The snow is melting so fast that the roads are taking a beating, and I've heard other dirt roads are just as bad. They just laid a layer of dirt over our road, maybe two or three days ago, and it's back to being a disaster. I don't think even the mailman is going to make it through, and we think we may have to pick it up at the post office. Crazy.

What kills me is that there's still tons of snow on the ground. I just want it to melt and for mud season to be over, but that's wishful thinking, for sure. It's only March, and we're due for probably at least one more snowstorm, if you can believe that, though now it's raining, and that might make a dent.

On a brighter note, we went for a really nice walk up our road, mud and all, and what a great time it was. We were originally going to just check the mail, but we ended up seeing our neighbors, and we walked farther up the hill than we anticipated. It's really nice up there, and for whatever reason, the road is constructed of hard pack, so it's hard, packed and solid. Why can't they do that with our road?

There is a sheep farm about a mile up the hill, and what a beautiful location it is. So well maintained, so picturesque, right out of a postcard. We'll probably take some pics for our burgeoning website, whenever that may be. In fact, I can envision it, even though I still want the pond, but we'll see.

On the walk home we saw our sugaring neighbors, and EB talked about how bad a season it's been. I feel bad, though they simply roll with it and move on. No sense in dwelling on what you can't control. The weather has just not been cooperating, compromising the quality of the sap, and I think they've closed the door on the sugaring season. Done and over, kind of sad.

Either way, EB gave us a ride home on his tractor, which is a thrill for the kids, and we got to hang with his grandkids, M and B, so it was a lot of fun. It's a good thing he's got a tractor, because he drove down our road, and I really couldn't believe how bad the mud was. Amazing, and any other car would not have made it.

In fact, last night while we were watching a movie, we could see cars trying to drive up it, and then backing back down when they realized it wasn't going to happen. It's a tough time, but that's what makes New Englanders so tough and capable.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to stella bogdanic for the pic

Getting Stuck and Sugaring

The mud has gotten so bad that I'm thinking this will be a mud season to remember. Already our road is in terrible shape, and our driveway is taking a beating. Part of it unusable thanks to my trying to drive the truck through it, and I'm thinking I might have to go in there and do a little repair work. Not that it would help.

We've decided to stop using part of our road and will have to drive in from the opposite direction. It makes life inconvenient, but sure beats getting stuck. I think the road are so bad that our wood guy won't be able to make it through to deliver our wood, if that even ever happens. Whatever be the case, it might take a little longer, which isn't the end of the world.

It's been a busy sugar season by the looks of our neighbors, and we've yet to join in and watch/help. I'm actually not sure how to take part, but am wondering if I should just give them a call and invite ourselves over. They are such nice people and I'm sure they would say fine, but I feel a little funny. We'd love to help.

We're hoping for some warm, dry days to deal with the mud. I've been told what makes the difference is when the trees pop out their leaves. That apparently suck the water out of the ground and ends mud season. I'm all for it.

We'll see how this one goes. Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Firewood Karma and Mud Season

I took my first steps at being an assertive homeowner and community member by reporting a local road that was in disrepair. I even used that word, that sounds a bit pretentious in retrospect, but I didn't want to seem overbearing. It also might have seemed self-serving because the road in question just happens to be the one our house is on, but what are you going to do? Mud season is peaking it's head around the corner, and though we have our share of cold days still, it's been hovering around the high 40's on some days, and the mud is pretty serious.

Our road gets to be a swamp, and since we're one of the few families in Vermont that doesn't have 4-wheel drive, there have been a few instances when it wasn't for certain that we'd make it through. Fortunately the really bad sections are right in front of our neighbors, and since our neighbors are all true Vermonters (not necessarily natives), they have tractors and trucks, and have in the past bailed us out when we were stuck. Even still, best to avoid those situations.

I was told to call the town center and let them know about the problem, it's the only way they know, so I did. I spoke with the town manager, B, who is kind of like the mayor, and he knew who I was. That was kind of cool for a Flatlander. I've met him on a few occasions, and he's a great guy, but never figured that he actually remembered my name, but such is the way of small town life. You've got to love that. He said he'd put the road on the list and they'd take a look at it. I'm sure they're inundated with complaints, and at some point they'll probably re-surface our road with hard pack. The temp has dropped so it's probably more manageable, but in the next few weeks it'll be a disaster.

In fact, looking around our house, I can't help but think that this mud season is going to be a whopper. Last year we lucked out, Spring was short and dry, just right if you ask me. I'm guessing this year we won't be so lucky, but you never know.

I was talking to my friend, P, about firewood and he's a true Vermonter. Of course I was curious about where he got his, and he told me he buys several cords a year, up to six, at $200 a pop. I was floored, that's expensive for so much wood, and later realized that he might have been yanking my chain in an effort to be coy about his source, much like I've been in the past about mine. So my firewood karma is coming back to haunt me, but I guess I'm getting what I deserve.

Either way, I don't know that's what he was doing for sure, and in the end, if and when I get my chainsaw, it will undoubtedly open up more options.

Until then, thanks for reading.