Here in Vermont, if a lake or reservoir or other collection of water freezes over, you can actually stand on it, walk, or even (what!) drive across...

... but when to tell if it has been cold enough to actually do this safely is somewhat of an arguable issue. The above photo shows a slab of ice that seems pretty solid, but in a reservoir like this, the city actually lets the water level drop, resulting in about 12 feet of free air from the ice slab over the water, down to the remaining water level, so if that ice breaks, even if you survive the fall and drowning, it's still a 12ft jump to safety.

In the big lake (Champlain), they discourage driving one's Jeep on the Lake because if it falls in, one has only 24 hours to retrieve the vehicle or else you get fined a (questionably) exorbitant amount of money. And the recovery is at one's own expense. But some people are still nuts enough.

Now I do acknowledge that I may be psychologically compromised from earlier experiences, but not that crazy. And if I was deluded enough to think I could make it across safely, I would not try it with this Jeep. Maybe at another time with another car.


Over on the right of the above photo, you can see the soft covering of the Marshfield Reservoire. It actually reaches all the way across, but their is no launch on the otherside to drive up the bank when your done gambling your $30,000 collateral for mere bragging rights. Maybe you could attach a long cable to a side post and hook it to your chassis like a leash of sorts. Though you would still need your brain checked. So, Mom, if you're reading this, rest assured, I'll take all the safety precautions (Personal Flotation Device, grappling hook, and 50ft static rope) before I actually do something like this.

But for this Christmas, I parked the Jeep in the traditional lot. Here it is, with the Reservoir to the right, and what looks like Owl's Head Peak (as far as I can calculate with the map and the drive the other day.) in the background. Maybe I'll find someone crazy enough to drive THEIR car across the pond.


As always, you can click on each photo to display a larger version (usually 900x600). don't forget to drop a line.

The day before Christmas found a short hike with a long road....




.... from the trailhead, it was a short jaunt to the peak for a great view (better when the clouds weren't surrounding) of Lake Groton. It was the mile hike in the knee deep snow from the main road to the trail head that was a bit more work. The peaks are note very high in Vermont, but the view is grand, and the snow is pristine. It has been cold enough here that the snow squeaks. Where I work, the town is small enough that each snow falls provides a peaceful blanket freshness, like a good clean scrub of the state. Maybe it's like that all over New England, but I happen to be living in Vermont currently.

What may look to you all like normal cold winter day is the coldest temperature I have every experienced. On my way to work, my Jeep's sensors measured a blazing -5°F which warmed up to a toasty -3°F by the time I got to work. It was actually quite sunny, but the seasonal earth tilt made sure the sun rays were dispersed over a greater surface area than was helpful to warm a human body.

Across from the entrance to work was this beautiful pile of gravel from the local quarry. The piles are symmetrical and kind of aesthetic in the summer time, but in the winter time they look like this, even more gorgeous. The snow keeps people from going too fast or driving too dangerously, but every once in a while some urban hero decides he wants to test the edges of common sense and see how good his hakkapeliita's really grip icy asphalt. Glad I'm not an ER doctor, but generally speaking New Englanders have good common sense. After all, they've lived here for generations.

Next adventure: Brunswick, Maine (Just for a short weekend).

More photos of the up-coming winter later on.