February, 2015

I got these two yesterday.

As you can see from this one from Steve in the Delaware river area, he's excited about the continued skiing weather. I'm not telling you this next thing to tease you but to show how screwed up things are; it's nine o'clock Monday evening and the air conditioner just came on.

Dave

Thanks for photos of warmer climes, as another 8" of white stuff is coming down as I type. One good thing about this winter, we won't have to hear about how bad last winter was, or the one last decade or last generation. It is freakin' COLD up here. That white globe is a water fountain, or has one inside. What is amazing is there is a 18" brook trout living in that pond since I put him in there 7 years ago. At least he was living there in the fall when last seen.

Another advantage of living in these frigid conditions is that I can't even think about getting anything done in my poorly heated shop so I retreat to the basement and work on models of possible future builds. Finally finished this one, Paul Gartside's Sjogin III, modified as I added a cuddy cabin. Might build it one day, I feel an urge to build something with two pointy ends and a cuddy.

But as evidence of brain freeze, I am seriously thinking of building something without a mast. Seems like I need a camping cruiser to accommodate wife and dogs on our travels. (Retirement is getting real close.) So I've been researching shanty-type boats, cause I don't think I could drive an RV or want to haul a camper. I bought Garvey plans from Doug Hylan, and not only didn't he cringe when I mentioned putting a cabin on her, he thought it was a good idea and has been helping with the design.

I can't image you having any thoughts on building such a boat! Enjoy your nice weather, supposedly spring is only a month away...

Steve

And this one's from Greg in the Buffalo area, this climate change stuff is going nuts. Ice age anyone?

Hi Dave,

The picture of Richard snow-blowing the sidewalk is all just part of the fun we have in this northern winter wonderland. For the past several weeks and for the next two to follow, (if you believe the weather geeks), we have had more days in the single digits, or well below zero, than double digits, 10 or more. Wind chills of 20-30 below have become common, and they have closed schools so the little kiddies don't freeze there little snouts off at the bus stop on the really cold ones. Niagara Falls has just about froze up. No, I'm not exaggerating, you can see pictures of it on the Buffalo News web site; or just goggle, winter at the Falls 2015. We are also setting records for cold and snow pack, and we love it, absolutely love it! Where else would ya rather be! The big problem here is where to put it all. Space is now limited. Well, what can ya do? At least we don't get hurricanes and tropical storms and flooding; not to mention earthquakes and mudslides, sinkholes, poisonous snakes and insects, red tide, or houses floating downstream. We do have tooth decay, the heartbreak of psoriasis and the occasional frostbite. But no one gets killed, at least not many.

Truth be told I would pack up and move back to FL. in a heartbeat if I could. Never to leave again. I left twice in the past, (like a dumb ass), and if I ever get back it will take more than dynamite and hurricanes to get me out. I have a friend that spent 25 plus years in Fairbanks, AK. and moved back to NY. Said Alaska had easier winters than here. That global warming thing has not reached this part of the globe yet. We do have climate change. It changed to extreme cold. In a few months all the folks around here will be complaining of the heat and humidity. At least you don't have that to deal with in FL. OOPS! Love the photos and info from the Tiki Hut.

Happy sails,

Greg