December 20, 2008

First real snow fall of the year yesterday. The call was for 2-4 inches, we got at least a foot. But the temperature never got much above 15 so it was amazingly light and fluffy. Easy to plow and shovel. Today it reached 10 and was one of those georgeous cold, crisp, days. Nice to be out in. More snow called for tomorrow, between 3 and 10 inches. Giving themselves a fair margin of error. Still staying cold, reaching the high teens then back into the single digits tomorrow night. First official day of winter, I guess it's only fair.
The road is in good shape. Lots of snow, but good traction so there shouldn't be any problem getting in and out. Supposed to stay cold right through Christmas. Both roads in are clear and very passable.
Happy Holidays and safe travels to all!

The attached picture will give you a better idea of where the ice line was around 2:30. Since then the wind has picked up out of the north, the temperature has dropped 16 degrees, now 12, and it has been snowing steadily. The ice line is probably now only 50 yards off the shore. Amazing change. Supposed to go to minus 3 tonight and a high of 13 tomorrow, but 44 on Wednesday. Go figure.

It's been over a week since I last posted anything to the site. This last week was a "warm" one, in the 30's may have touched 40. Normal temps returned again Friday with high in the 20's. It was 12 this morning at 7:00. Despite the warmer weather last week somehow the snow kept coming. No major accumlations yet, just little bits at a time. There is probably 6 or 7 inches on the ground here at the lake. Amazingly enough, in the village the ground is barely covered. The big change is the lakes are beginning to freeze. The portion of the lake we look at is frozen half way to Corey Island. What is amazing is the family is on Corey Island. Looks like they got there Thursday night. Must have used an ice breaker.

The road down to our camps is in pretty good shape. Between my plowing and the Bettman's plower, Rick I think, it's fairly clear and easily manuevered. The original ROW is not plowed and the confrontation is coming as I left a letter indicating my intention to keep it open in Mr. Day's mailbox this morning. We shall see.

Two pictures are attached showing the progress of the ice. Hopefully the line is visible.

More later as things develop.

November 23, 2008

Yes Virginia, there is a sun up in the sky over Upper Saranac Lake! But it is only 8 degrees. Beautiful!

November 22, 2008

Yesterday was another cold one. 15 in the morning, 18 at 3:00 and 15 by 4:00.

But then there's today. What a change. 7 this morning. Looks like the sun is trying to make an appearance though light, fluffy snow continues to fall. No real accumulation to speak of.

To my friend in Chapel Hill. Just throw another log on the fire, and whatever you do try not to go out into that 50 degree weather, I hear temperatures like that can be dangerous.

I will try and add some pictures. The bog by the steel bridge as well as a look at Giant Mtn. from the east (nothing to do with Panther Ledge, just thought it was pretty).

Another day dawns cold and grey. 16 degrees with snow. Not heavy enough to accumulate, but enough to make it pretty and winterlike.
The bog by the steel bridge is completely frozen at this point. I wanted to take a picture and post it, but I left my camera in the car all day and it was cold enough so the batteries didn't have enough juice left to make the camera work.
Lake Flower has a thin ice coat, but none of the big lakes yet.
I'm beginning to understand how there could be an issue with Vitamin D deficiency up here. Since last Saturday the sun has been out part of one day. No sun forecast until Monday.
I'd like to make these updates more interesting, but it seems as though one day on Panther Ledge Road is pretty much like the next, at least at this time of year. Having said that, to me there seems to be a very peaceful and calming feeling about being here. Talk to me in two months however.
I hope to post pictures tomorrow.

November 18

It is Tuesday evening, November 18. It has been snowing for the last three days, with little accumulation. A bit of snow on Panther Mountain Road as well as the streets of Saranac Lake. A thin sheet of ice has formed on the bog by the steel bridge, and the lake is riled by the wind from the North. As I said on Sunday, there is definitely a feel of winter in the air. The consensus seems to be that the warm weather said it's good bye on Saturday. 21 degrees right now, headed for the teens.

Will post pictures once I figure out how.

Inaugural Posting

The first attempt to create an ongoing report on conditions on Panther Ledge Road. I will attempt to add interesting content as it develops, but will probably not be updating this every day.

It is November 16 and after a day of solid rain yesterday, the temp. has dropped into the low 30's and we are getting snow showers. No ice to be seen anywhere on any of the lakes in the area. There is a feel of winter in the air however.

Well that is it for the first attempt. Just seeing if this can work.