From The Innkeepers

WINTER 2019

This winter season, more than any other in our 15 years up here at the Inn, seems to be relentless. It started out in a benign fashion, but then came the so-called polar vortex. For many days we were caught in the freezing grip of below zero temperatures and winds high enough to make our wind chills measure -25 to -35 degrees. Generally, we don’t mind the cold, but this was difficult. The polar vortex was followed by a warmup, but then we were hit with days of freezing rain which led to an accumulation of 2-3 inches of solid ice everywhere. You could ice skate on our driveway, but it was not so safe for vehicles. During this period, we went through 200 plus pounds of salt trying to clear a walking path between our meeting facility and the main house of the Inn. The safety of our guests became a huge concern at this time. The ice age has been followed by snow, and snow, and more snow. Our plow guys are running out of room to put it. With our piles now being about six feet high-we need a thaw sooner than later, if the weather gods are listening.

Yet for all its challenges, we wouldn’t trade being here for any other place, though there are many more hospitable climates this time of year. Winter in all its harshness never fails to bring gifts for the soul. Among our blessings are these:
-That the cold, clear air breeds clarity of thought.
-That our feathered friends in their frenzy at our bird feeders sing their gratitude for the nourishment that we provide. It reminds us to give thanks for what nourishes us.
-That silent walks in the woods fill our need for the absence of distractions and techno-noise.
-The wind gusts of forty plus mile per hour, sometimes just create a white tornado of snow in the open air, whirling it about, and transplanting it in a new location. This reminds us of how sometimes there is a benefit to being picked up and plunked down in a new place, creating a fresh perspective in our lives.

For these and all the other blessings of the earth clothed in white, we pause and give thanks and muster the strength to resist the urge to count the days until spring.

Namaste, winter, nameaste.