Snow and Salt

One of my worries before we received our mission call was winter. Since a very small accident several years ago when I did a 360 in the middle of Highway 17 on a snowy, snowy winter road and a few years later when I slipped on the ice and cracked my head a good one, I've hated winter. I was so ecstatic when we received our call that I didn't realize until later that we're in the Winter Capital of the World in New England. In my defense, I did bring a good, warm coat and two pairs of gloves. Neither of us, however, was really prepared for Winter! I realize, of course, that the brunt of winter has yet to arrive.


Winter, in my definition, didn't begin until Thanksgiving weekend when the first snowfall finally came. That next Saturday we ventured north to Burlington to visit the nearest Home Depot and I was amazed at the extent of a heavy frost. I discovered, however, that it wasn't frost, but Salt! This SUV is covered with salt. It is everywhere! We have been totally amazed that the salt has actually made the roads bare and, relatively, dry most of the time. However, Vermonters seem to have forgotten that salt is a corrosive. Near Burlington they are replacing a 40 year old bridge because of corrosion. Salt has also created mud everywhere. We've tried to keep our car clean, but it's an impossible task. You can see how it looks most mornings in the picture above.

I thought you might enjoy this picture from Christmas. My kids can just imagine what their Dad is telling Christofer! I think his first words were: "Don't shoot anybody!"

I've included this Vermont Teddy Bear which has received the unfortunate moniker of "Wifebeater Bear" simply because he has on what my kids call a wifebeater shirt. He was Garth's Christmas present. I had fun because I totally skunked him with this surprise. Although you can't read it, the shirt says "Kiss Me".
Have a good winter. We're going to do some picture taking this weekend with Garth's new camera and lens so I'll share another winter blog soon.