We got our first measurable snow this past weekend. Not a huge dump, maybe five inches here on Southport. It started to snow in the late afternoon, light fluffy stuff. But when it hit the warm ground, light fluffy turned into wet slushy. Once the snow got going, the light fluffy took over. We could hear the snow plow crew out during the night making passes along the state road and down some of the side roads to Cozy Harbor and beyond. Adam Harkins has taken over as the person in charge of keeping the island in good shape and I think he wanted to make a good first impression. He did. Thanks, crew!

Once it stopped snowing in the morning, after a cup of Joe, I fired up the Kubota to clear the roads here at home. It has been an awesome and invaluable tool for us over the years. I bought it used from Union Farm Equipment in 2002. A small three-cylinder diesel with four wheel drive, it can do some stuff! Pulling logs out of the woods, moving dirt and, most importantly, helping us in winter to move snow. I have a bucket on the front and blade on the back. The combination is just right. Off we went. It takes about a good hour to clean everything up, depending upon the amount of snow, of course. If I can get a good jump on things, and if the sun comes out, our roads can actually be snow free by evening. Such is the case for this most recent weather event.

The day improved. The wind did not pick up enough to blow snow out of trees, and the sun was peeping out now and then. So I called our youngest daughter Morgan to see if she would like to join me for a little drive around to enjoy the scenery. We took off about 2 o’clock and headed down to Hendricks Head beach across from the old Ruth Gardner house which is being renovated. Low tide and marvelous skies awaited us. We parked and watched the surf for a bit then headed off to Cozy Harbor and Pratts Island by Roscoe Rand’s old wonderful boat house and then on by June Elderkin, crossing the little bridge to Pratts. At the intersection just over the bridge we took a right and headed down the dead end road to the water. The sky was dark and powerful and the sun was filtering through clouds when allowed. At the bottom of a bright patch, the sunlight illuminated Hendricks Head Lighthouse beautifully. Photo time.

It is an interesting angle toward the lighthouse from this location, looking northwest up the Sheepscot River across the entrance to Cozy Harbor. It is not the most common view but when the light is good and the weather right, it is a dandy location, especially this time of year when I could skitter up the porch steps of a sleeping summer “cottage.” The sun’s angle is great but very fleeting. Fortunately Morgan had brought her good photo karma and I my camera.

We continued our ride around the island and then over toward Trevett along Samoset Road then on to the Sunoco station to refuel. The only downer of the ride was the cost of filling up the gas tank. Aside from that, we had a dandy afternoon. It was nice to see the white stuff, just in time for seasonal celebrations.