Packed and ready to go

We actually got about 3 inches of snow around April 20th one year. Now that was unexpected. It was gone by the afternoon, though.

 

We do get snow from time to time and it usually shuts us down. We're just not prepared for it, as it comes so irregularly and does not last too long.

The most snow in my lifetime here was 9 inches in March, 1993. It stayed around for most of week and EVERYTHING was shut down for several days.

 

We woke up to an inch of snow on the ground May 1st. It marked the beginning of the seventh month of Winter. They don't get the snowplows on the roads here unless the forecast is for more than 4 inches.
I'd have to agree with Luke, when it's 20 degrees and the ice is on the inside of the tent it ain't much fun.

 

I use to cringe when the Folks up here said they drove around with the windows down if the temp hit the mid 40's. Until about a month ago when I did it and shouted with Joy "Spring Is Here"! I spent the daylight hours working outside in the 70's we had yesterday and was sweltering. I'm still trying to figure out how 50 and Sunny here feels like 70 did 500 miles South. We seeded the new lawn last Fall and just now are beginning to see itty-bitty blades of grass peeking through the straw.
Oh well Spring IS here and time for;

 

Okay it was in the 70's yesterday and I got a sunburn so it can start cooling off now.
3 POUNDS OF MORELS? I've gotta' let the chores go and get out in the woods! I guess they don't have many of the Yellow Morel around here but a Black Morel variety and since the flies have hatched out (kinda' like a barometer for mushrooms), it is time for the Hunt to begin!

ps: that's a filleted 3 lb. Bass and 10 Crappie fillets frying in the pan.

 

Yeah! and I've got 2 cases of beer in the cabin/workshop frig', couple bottles of Black Label Scotch (plus assorted other amenities) in the cabinet and a supply of 90+ rated cigars in the humidor. Well, actually a case and a half of beer in the frig' - it was a long hot day. A Lake full of Northern Pike, Bass, Sunfish, and Walleye a hundred feet from our back door and Deer, Rabbit, Grouse, Ducks and Geese within a leisurely walk.
God It's Good to be Retired!

 

If I ever hit the Lottery I'd like to buy a nearby parcel to rent out. We started planning for this place nearly 20-25 years ago and finally got here last Fall after 35 1/2 years of toil in a factory. Now as long as my health holds up and I can see a return on our investment (living here over the next 30 or 40 years), I'll be a very happy man! That is if I survive all the landscaping and finish work. Putting in a patio - jammed my thumb yesterday on a patio block; building a driveway - strained my back shoveling gravel; pulled a calf muscle somewhere along the line; I've removed enough splinters to use as kindling to start a fire. Come to think about it, maybe today I'll just sit back and look at the lake, enjoy a cigar and have a drink. OR go Mushroomin' !