March Snow Over Skylands

March 11, 2022

The calendar says spring starts in just nine days, but the recent snow and nighttime temperatures below freezing in the Northeast remind us just how unpredictable Mother Nature can be.

Yesterday, I shared photos from this week's snow storm at my Bedford, New York farm. Because of the erratic weather, a lot of that snow has already melted. And temperatures today are expected to hit 43-degrees Fahrenheit before dropping to the 30s this weekend. There are similar conditions up in Seal Harbor, Maine - a day of rain followed by a blizzard that dropped more than five inches of white powder over Skylands last week. Sunny skies are expected there today before a cold front moves in tomorrow.

Cheryl DuLong, who helps me care for Skylands when I am not there, took these photos after the last snow fall. Enjoy.

: This is one of our favorite views – it’s taken from my kitchen window and is a reflection in the dining room storm window – so amazing. Cheryl took this snapshot early in the morning, when the skies were still gray.

: This view is through a leaded window in the dining room looking out onto the high tops of the spruce trees.

: Area residents were only expecting flurries on this day, but woke up to several inches of white. Local forecasters called this weather system an “over achiever snow flurry.” To protect the large urns on the terrace from the winter elements, they are covered with these plywood boxes – the urns are three to four hundred pounds each, so it is much easier to cover them during the cold season.

: These are the doors in living room going out to the West Terrace. In the summer, I usually keep a table out on the terrace where we can enjoy shaded brunches.

: There are many original kiwi vines that continue to grow and thrive at Skylands. These vines are growing on the posts over the West Terrace. They have survived many snow storms over the years.

: Here’s a photo taken from a second floor window looking out onto the Counsel Circle. On the right are the hoof prints of deer that have strolled through underneath the spruce and hemlock trees.

: Many of you probably recognize the Counsel Circle even when covered in snow. The fire pit is in the center. The void around it is the circular sitting area.

: Here is one of the tall spruce trees that can be seen off the terrace. I love how it towers over the others.

: This post holds a hose during warmer months. It is also covered with snow.

: Thrumcap Island, or wool cap, as French sailors in the 1600s called it, can be seen from this vantage point. The rocky island is on nearly 15 acres and supports the nesting of many birds each year.

: A doe rests beneath the evergreen boughs – she doesn’t seem to mind the cold one bit.

: By 10am, the clouds disappeared and the gray skies turned sunny. Here, one can see some of Rockefeller’s Teeth guarding the edge’s ledge.

: Snow on the branches weighed them down, but luckily there was no damage to any of the trees on the property.

: A view out my back door to the porch where lush, bold green Boston ferns hang during summer.

: Here’s the same kitchen window Cheryl looks through to see the reflections on the dining room storm window. It looks so sunny out there, but still quite cold.

: Through the trees is Sutton Island in the distance. The views of Seal Harbor are always breathtaking. It looks very different in summer when it’s filled with boats.

: These steps go down to a footpath leading to my guest house and playhouse from my large “cracked ice” terrace.

: These are the bottom of those steps. Despite all the beauty, it’s a lot of snow to shovel around the house. Fortunately, the warmer day temperatures helped to melt it.