Okay, I was the first one to wish for a quick and easy winter, knowing whole-heartedly that living in New England means a long, harsh winter of ice storms, snow, sub-zero temperatures, and plenty of shoveling, snow blowing, and trips to the local car wash.  Be careful what you wish for – we’re on the doorstep of March and so far this winter has been a complete dud in New England. It’s been unseasonably warm, weather patterns are bringing snow to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States and the ski areas throughout northern New England are without a natural white landscape.  There’s plenty of downhill skiing, but if you’re like me – looking for areas to cross country ski, snow shoe, or try out that new toboggan – good luck. Last weekend I traveled to Gilford, NH looking to go ski touring, but the area at Gunstock was closed. The next morning, I drove further up north to Jackson, NH and found an open facility, but the conditions were poor. There were bare spots, icy patches, and the depth of the snow was inconsistent. We ended up ice-skating at Nestlenook Farm instead, which was rather exciting. I zipped up and down the pond, going under the sleigh ride bridge and ending it with a fire and a warm drink at a popular local coffee house in North Conway, NH. Inside the coffee house, people were talking about the lack of Mother Nature’s winter white wonder – asking themselves why Washington D.C. and Virginia got the jackpot this year. The lack of snow has a rippling effect in the already brittle economy. And I mean beyond the ski resorts… Less snow means less salt on the road, which in turn means less work for snowplows and all that other machinery we hear out our windows during winter driving conditions. Have you visited a car wash lately? Yep, there’s less income for area car washes, too.  Despite my selfish thoughts about not wanting a long winter and preparing for Spring back in October – I am a New Englander. I expect snow. I expect cold weather in February and not temperatures in the 50s and rain. It just isn’t right.

Once in a while all you need is a picture to make you smile…
Here is Portsmouth, NH on Monday after a brief snow fall occured.