"Nemo" Blizzard of February 8, 9, 2013

 "Nemo" Blizzard of  February 8, 9, 2013...

    I thought I'll share my adventure that millions of other people also had. Nemo The Historic February Blizzard.  The storm started on Friday and went well into late Saturday afternoon at least here in  Southeastern Massachusetts.  We went for a nice hike Friday, in the morning before the storm hit. As it started to snow, I spent most of the day (every hour or so) keeping the doorway out to the pen cleared for the boys and also a small area of their pen. At one point (evening) I went out and was surprised to see about 5" had fallen and or wind blown. By this time, I was overtaken. I gave up trying to say on-top of my snow-removal idea.  I prayed all night not to lose power for myself and millions of others. The temperatures were in the low teens and the high's in the low 20's.
    I slept maybe an hour and Hikah woke me to go out. My first thought was... I still have power!  As we approached the door I noticed we had a problem, I was barely able to open the door, Hikah  "bless his heart" plowed right through the snow and very windy conditions to go do his business, what a trooper! At this time 10pm, I decided to go back to bed. I woke up at 3 am and first thing I noticed was that I had power!!! I was so happy and thought to myself...your not in the clear yet! I was just so grateful!!! I had hoped that others fared as well.
    Just before daylight I decided to get started on clean-up. I decided that I would have to do this in small segments, there was a lot of snow!  I started with the door leading out to the boys pen. I  barely squeeze through it, I was so happy I was able to get out. Once the boys area was taking care of I took a break. Then came the front door and steps leading up to the drive way. Early afternoon I started snow-blowing the driveway and was able to get out if needed by 2 pm, although vehicles by the state were ban from using the roads until 4 pm. We never lost power and I was truly grateful. 

 Enjoy the Pictures!

                       

The Hike before the storm

Gaige waiting out the storm

As it began to snow, 11 am Fri

The door out to the pen, Sat am

Front of the house, Sat am

Pathway on the deck, Sat am

Backside of deck, Sat am

Out the front window, Sat am

Out the front door, Sat am

Stairway cleaned-up, Sat late am, still snowing!

Boys waiting for clean-up to be done

Boys playing while waiting

Nemo, two lows join

Finally

Finally...

 On February 7, 2013 I found my first  Hawk nest while out hiking. It was near a swamp which we had been exploring. As I noticed a huge blob in a tree, I thought it was to big for a squirrels nest. As I got closer and by my surprise, the Hawk leaped out onto a near by branch checking me out. As it took flight I tried to id it through my binoculars and the forest trees. I made out a tinge of red on the side of the tail feathers. It was a Red-tailed hawk. 

Nest from a far, blob in center of pic.

Nest from under tree.

Nest at a zoom.

Hiking on and around frozen water

Hiking on and around frozen water...

Today we ventured off to find a pond and to check for bird nests and whatever else we came upon. As we're getting closer to the  pond, we noticed a trail that headed off to the east, so of course we had to check it out! It led us to an old camping ground with a few buildings and fire pits.

We checked the buildings out for any life (like I had any other choice with these-two being search dogs). They were cleared by both dogs and we carried on... back on task, to the pond.

The pond

Gaige at the pond

As we walked around the pond on the ice, please keep in mind I take into consideration a few safety checks before going out onto the ice. 

1. How cold the temperatures have been over the past couple weeks. 

2. Has there been any ice-fishing recently. 

3. Knowing where the water inlets and outlets are to the pond.

I also don't venture off to far from the banking. Hikah joins me on the ice however, Gaige doesn't take to lightly of it, especially when it starts to make cracking and popping noises (ice does this when it contracts and expands during temperature changes).

Hikah with me, Gaige on banking.

Water inlet to pond, unsafe here.

    

     

After making our way around the pond without much to report other than the pond having two inlets about 200 feet away from each other, we started to head back.

Water inlet to the pond.

On our way back, Gaige found and item which I allowed him to carry back and nibble on. It was a fresh deer leg. He was in his glory!

Gaige's find!

Gaige enjoying his find.

CAUTION: Safety first when it comes to walking on frozen water. If your unsure, stay off the ice!