December was a very snowy month here and January seems to be following the same theme. Without going through each storm of the last couple of weeks there is nearly three feet of snow on the ground this morning. Most of it is soft and fluffy not able to hold up even my widest snowshoes very well. I snow shoed through our woodlot and sank down at least a foot even with snowshoes on but it was great to be out. Only Woody our golden retriever tagged along but even he tired quickly in the deep snow. He sank up to his chest even in my snowshoe tracks.
A few days last week are the ones I describe when I tell folks about when they ask how cold it gets in the winter time. The mid morning temperatures were below zero and there was a strong northwest wind that made it feel even more uncomfortable. Not a great day to be outside, in fact even the dogs were delighted to be in the office enjoying the warmth of the wood stove and not in their kennel. Mae my older pointer snuggles right up to the stove soaking in all of the heat she can. I suppose that her short coat and lack of body fat makes her easy to chill.
On those days the air is crystal clear with millions of stars at night and beautiful blue skies during the day. This weather makes me realize how fortunate we are to have a house that is relatively easy to heat and a garage to keep our firewood and cars in. This week is forecast to be warmer with clouds, drizzle and even some rain. If you don't' like the weather in New England just wait a minute it will change.
The Maine Association of Charterboat Captains Meeting on Friday
I will be speaking to the Maine Charterboat Captains meeting in Bath on Friday about the changes that I see coming for our businesses and how we might adapt. I am looking forward to talking with my peers and I expect some interesting follow up questions. I will be speaking at the Connecticut Rhode Island Coastal Fly Fishers on April 24th in Groton, CT and the One Book one Community Program at the Norway ME library on March 10th. If you have a group that would like someone to speak on topics related to the Maine Outdoors please give me a call or drop me a line and let's talk about the possibilities.
You Have to Love it!
A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there. Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes.
He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read 'Calls: $10,000 a minute.' Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to God.
The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and other states he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor. Finally, he arrived in MAINE. Upon entering a church in Union, behold - he saw the usual golden telephone.
This time, the sign read 'Calls: 35 cents.'
Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, 'Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to God, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?'
I love this part.........................
The pastor, smiling benignly, replied, 'Son, you're in MAINE now...... God's Country.
It's a local call!'
Booking now for the coming season!
Folks have started to make reservations for the coming season and it already looks to be busy. If you are planning to be in the area this year please give me a call or drop me an e-mail so we can plan a date to spend some time outdoors together.
