Saturday, 3:30 pm: The storm came and went and left about 7½ inches of snow. I was out at 5:00 am today with our snowblower clearing our driveway and the paths our dogs use to explore the backyard. I was pooped when I eventually came back inside and konked out until 9:30 am. I think, originally, the NWS said to expect about 18 inches of snow. Winter weather here is always problematic and a test of my stamina, or lack of it is probably a better description.

On Friday we drove to Presque Isle. Luckily we were just ahead of the storm on the drive home. About the time we unloaded the car and put it in our garage, the snow started and didn’t stop until early this morning. Even with the storm, our daytime temperatures, today, have risen to 35° (F.). It rose just enough above freezing to make it slick this evening when the water refreezes, which at the moment is only one degree away.

In Fort Kent the Can-Am Sled Dog Races have begun. The mushers and their dogs are racing through the northern Maine countryside. I’m not certain, but I think the dogs enjoy the race more than their human companions. At the start of the races [three in all] most of Main Street in Fort Kent is blocked off and crowded with spectators and dog teams waiting their turn to start. It’s quite a sight to see.

Current values from our wireless Vantage-Pro weather station:

Temperature: 30° (F.)

Barometer: 29.435 & steady

Humidity: 72%

Winds: Calm

Visibility: > 3 miles

Skies: Generally clear with a few scattered clouds

Precipitation: 7 ½ in. snow since yesterday

Since midnight:

Low temperature: 14.5° (F.) at 5:17 am

High wind: 17 mph at 11:53 am