December 2005

December 20th, 2005

I am now back online after we lost our satellite connection about a week and a half ago.  It is amazing how much that we come to depend, or at least think we depend upon something like that.  It took me a week to locate the problem and then I decided that we should put in a new system as it was quicker and cheaper than fixing our old one.  The new system is working well and is much faster.
  I have been out plowing a couple of times this month.  It has snowed a few inches in a couple of different storms, but we still do not have all that much snow on the ground.  Who knows what the winter will bring in the way of snow.  One benefit of not having much snow is that the ice builds up faster on the lakes.  Ice fishing opens on January 1st and we need ice for everyone to go out and enjoy the "hard water fishing".
   Christmas is just around the corner, or should I say coming around the corner fast!  I have not been shopping much yet, but as any man will tell you, that is what December 24th is for. 
   I had to pull an 18 wheeler with my pickup this morning at about 03:49.  He had gotten stuck while backing up.  No, it was not here at the camps, it was in Bangor.  I was staying at a motel for the night and at about 03:30 I was awakened by the sound of a very large truck.  The engine was racing and then idling down.  After I awoke enough to get my wits about me I went out side to talk to the driver.  He had backed off the edge of the motel road and was hung up on the lawn.  It was icy and he could not move.  I told him that I would pull him out and he just looked at me like I was not all there.  I explained that if I wanted to get any sleep for the rest of the night that I had to pull him out.  I was on bare pavement and with my pickup truck in low range I pulled it out with out any problems.  Now everyone can get what ever it was that the elves in the back of the truck were cooking.  (It was a Keebler truck)  So you see, no matter where I am I have to keep doing the same things that I do up here in the woods.  I am always bailing someone out of a mess or getting myself into one. 
   I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.  I will be looking for everyone to start getting on the Blog after the first of the year.  Just say "Hi" and let me know how things are going where you are. 
GT

December 7th, 2005

Pearl Harbor Day  This is the day in 1941 that Pearl Harbor was attacked, and which eventually launched the United States into World War II.  It is a good time to stop and remember all of the men and women who have given up so much for us to remain a free nation.  I would like to thank all of you who continue to protect us, God Bless you all.
   It has been cold for the past couple of days, and the pond has frozen over for the 4th time.  It think it may stay frozen this time, as the wind has been still for a couple of days and given it time to build enough ice to stop the wind from taking it out, again.  (of course it could warm up and rain, again)
   The Dam is covered with ice from all of the water that has splashed over it during the cold weather.  If you are going to cross it you want to go slow and careful.
   Not much snow in the forecast, but that is sure to change soon.  I have seen years that we had so much snow in December that you wondered if it would ever melt.  I have also seen Decembers without enough to have much of a white Christmas.  I guess that we will just have to wait and see what happens this year.
   The birds are happy that the feeder is getting filled on a regular basis.  They wait for it to be filled each and every day, and if I am slow at doing it, they will let me know about it.  They will fly all around me and carry on something terrible.  The Blue Jays just wait off in the distance, they are much more "skitterish" than the Chickadee's and Nuthatches. 
   No deer for me, yet.  I am thinking about going out another time or two with the muzzle loader.  I have to head a bit further south to continue as the season has ended up here for the year.  I was not able to catch up with the big ones up here, but I see that the tracks are still appearing when there is snow on the ground.  That is a good thing, they will just be a bit bigger next season and I will go out and try my luck then.
   On my last trip out I saw 7 Bull Moose.  There were 2 in one place and there were 5 in the other place.  The bulls hang together this time of year and it is not uncommon to see them pushing each other around.  They do not really fight, but just kind of push and shove.  I do see moose hair on the ground sometimes, so you know that every once in awhile one of them gets an antler shoved a little hard into the body.  On occasion it will be lethal, but that is quite rare.
   Jed is counting the days until Christmas.  When I talk with him on the phone he lets me know that he has a wish list and wants to know if I am going to get to town in time to pick up all of the things that is on it.
   Ice fishing will be starting on January 1st.  Last year it was freezing rain on the 31st of December and the roads were very slippery.  I always worry about having enough ice for opening day, but we usually have enough to get out on one or two places safely.
GT

December 2nd, 2005

It is raining once again!  The snow has all melted and it has been like spring here for a few days.  I have taken a bit of time to go out hunting with the muzzle loader, I have not seen anything with antlers as of yet.
   I did follow a nice buck on Tuesday for a few hours, but he was going into an area that was not to my liking, so I changed direction and left his track.  I saw much evidence of deer in the area, but none of the elusive creatures.  They are a whole lot better at getting around and hiding in their home turf than I am at finding them.  I have been able to smell them at times and never lay an eye on them! 
   Just a couple of days left of the special season and it will be over for another year.  It is still nice to get out in the woods and wander around.
I found a place that has huge rocks and the ferns are growing all over them.  I want to go back in the spring and take some pictures.
   Jed and I went out last Sunday for a ride in the fresh snow.  We was gone for a couple of hours and when we came back we saw where a buck and doe had walked up the road.  It is amazing how the deer know when Sunday is here and they will do something like that!
   The other day I saw a Blue Heron in the road.  This is the latest time of year that I have ever seen one up here and I am sure that the thing must have been lost or at least, very weak.  It would fly for a short distance and then land on the side of the road.  It was quite foggy so perhaps it thought that the road was a stream.  I figure that it found the river ok as it was not far from the West Branch of the Penobscot when I last saw it.
   It is now SNOWING out there.  When I started writing a few minutes ago it was raining.  Crazy time of year for sure.  I guess I need to get on the "woolies" and head out for a bit.  It will be nice and quiet in the woods today.
   I took a few pictures of the dam with the gates open.  This is the first time I have seen the gates open this late in the year. (at least that I can remember)  The lake is full, or over full, and with all of the rain and melted snow it is staying that way, even with gates open.