Winter is upon us.

[Oswego John]

Well, it's here, pretty much on schedule. A quick look out of the window pretty much says it all. I'm talking about the beginning of the snow season in Great Lakes country. I can talk first hand about the winter weather here in Oswego, NY which is located on the southeast edge of Lake Ontario.

Some say that snow is just snow. Not really. On the lee shores of huge bodies of fresh (sweet) water, we are blessed?? *@%& with a phemenon called "Lake Effect" snow. The prevailing winds, usually from the northwest, pass over the huge supply of moisture in the lakes and drop it on the southeast country side.

The peculiar oddity associated with Lake Effect snow is that it travels in isolated bands. The narrow bands often dump huge amounts of snow. If you travel several miles to either side of the band, you wouldn't see a trace, if any, of having any sign of snow. There is also general snow storms which cover many states with the white stuff. An when you visualize a large general snow storm that combines with a period of Lake Effect. Momma Mia, we're not measuring in inches of snowfall, we are now measuring in FEET.

Hey Roberto, now that *H* season is long gone, any place you know where I can hang my hat for a few months?

Always remember, snow can be, for most, a four letter word. lol

Be safe, healthy and happy. Give thanks.

O J

[tjr818]

I found this link, but it does not mention*@%& with a phenomenon called "Lake Effect" snow

http://www.wolaver.org/WordPlay/Eskimo.htm

[Neil Gordon]

Hey OJ, around Boston, weather and snow accumulation is different north and south of the Mass Pike, as well as inside and outside the two ring roads, 95 and 495. How the weather knows where the roads are, I haven't figured out yet.

We, of course, have the same sort of Lake Effect that you have, when Nor'Easters are half way over the land and half over the water. If they're slow moving or stall, watch out!

[Oswego John]

Hi Neil,
I wasn't aware that you could have salt water bands of snow. Are the Nor'easters confined to localized bands? Thanks for the heads up.

Years back, many years back, I was a downhill Alpine skier. I wasn't good enough to compete on the tours sponsored by skiing manufacturers but I was an able teacher and always had job offers to teach. Downhill skiing can become quite expensive, especially for a family ski trip. My winters evolved into being a tour guide for a bus company that specialized in bringing school students and youth groups up into the Berkshires for day trips. Western Mass. north of Great Barrington was the popular area for day trips. Anything farther north up into Vermont was an over nighter. My transportation expenses were covered. So was the cost of the lift ticket. On top of that we got a little stipend they called "Wine Money". Wintertime was most tolerable.

I wonder how many sailors know that this was the area where my friend Roberto comes from?

Get ready everyone. Winter is upon us.

O J
PS: I hope that my stories of the local area and its local weather don't bother anyone. True, it is not a sailing yarn but my guess is that not many sailors went out today to tell us of their sail. Brrr

[jbenagh]

Just in case you didn't know, there is a thin coating of the white stuff in my yard, just north of Boston as I write this!

Jeff

[Sea Hunt Video]

. . . My winters evolved into being a tour guide for a bus company that specialized in bringing school students and youth groups up into the Berkshires for day trips. Western Mass. north of Great Barrington was the popular area for day trips. Anything farther north up into Vermont was an over nighter.

OJ: you are always welcome in sunny, warm South Florida.

Many years ago, in a different life, in the winter months I worked at Bousquet's Ski and Brodie Mountain for two winters. I also did a brief tour at Stowe. I dealt mostly with New Yorkers driving up from the City on Friday evenings to Pittsfield, skiing Sat and Sun and driving back to NY Sun evening. Most of them we put on the "bunny slopes"; a few took the chair lifts to "advanced" trails. If memory serves, we did not have diamond designations back then in the mid-1960s but my memory is not very good, except for one 18 year old snow bunny who ........................ Incredulously, the United States Government thought my services could be better utilized than skiing in the winter and playing tennis in the summer.

OJ, thank you for causing me to think about some very fond memories from more than 50 years ago At this time of the year it is helpful.

[Oswego John]

I'm telling the world right now that I'm not leaving the house at all today. Natures snow machine kicked on yesterday in varying degrees. No red alert panic issues. I have 21" of the white stuff in my yard. My daughter reported 41" in hers. There is about 50 MPH wind blowing with gales maybe around 60-65 MPH. Lake Effect is predicted to end on Wed., at 7:00 AM.

Sometimes the thought comes up that winter in the North Country could be compared, somewhat, to an offshore cruise in a fully founded sailing yacht. Emergencies can and do arise. Whether winter weather or an off shore cruise, the one word that comes to mind is preparation. Most people have learned to cope with emergencies, unfortunately some have had to learn the hard way. The prudent home dweller or sailing captain executes due diligence prehand. Sermonette is now over. It's time for a smile or three.

Definition: Mass. Rte 7 The Highway to Heaven

Sitzmark. The huge crater in the fresh snow that was made by the new skier when he crossed his ski tips.

Here are a few words for Roberto to smile about.
Catamount. Butternut, Jiminny Peak

My patron saint is St. Jean Claude Killy. (This may be obscure to some) 1968

As with elderly sailors who on a cold, wintry day can reminisce about places they sailed to or their sea tales fondly remembered. I, too, am sitting on the warm side of a window gazing out and revisiting scenes of yesteryear that warm my heart and paint a serene smile on my wizened face. It may be cold outside but I am aglow within.

Everyone can write a book of his life. Sure, you can too. Why not take a moment or two and mentally select what you would select as titles of your favorite chapters. Go ahead, do it. What is a few moments of your hectic life. Memories are forever.

Today was a good day for me. How about yourself?

Give thanks for all.

O J

[SAIL1]

a philosopher once posed the question..why did God give man memory?...so he can gather roses in the winter...