Spring Thaw on Prince Edward Island
Posted on 20. Mar, 2009 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Outdoors, Prince Edward Island
Today is the first day of Spring here on Prince Edward Island. The Montague river has almost completely thawed, and we are starting to notice significant changes here on our property.
In February, we knew there was a picnic table buried somewhere under the snow.
But now, in mid-March, the picnic table has been revealed.
Pretty soon we’ll be able to see green, green grass sprouting up through the straw-like remains of last year’s lawn.
For me, I was so worried about getting through this Winter that the cold season seemed to go quickly: “Winter, is that all? Are you really almost over? But our water pipes underneath the house didn’t freeze. And we didn’t run out of firewood. And we didn’t encounter any severe disasters! Are you sure you’re finished, Winter?”
What about you. Are you ready for Winter’s end?
Michelle
Mar 20th, 2009
You have to ask? LOL! The thing I love, love, love about the 4 seasons is the anticipation of each one.
Spring here is not a graceful as BC’s spring but it’s so welcomed and embraced after a harsh, cold winter. Bring it on!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Mar 20th, 2009
I totally agree. It’s what keeps things interesting!!!! That’s why I wouldn’t want to live somewhere too tropical that didn’t have pronounced seasons. It’s motivational to have something to look forward to.
Steven Fisher
Mar 21st, 2009
If you were back in BC right now, you’d be seeing the middle of rainy season. Tomorrow will also be rainy season, as will the day after. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb here and say rainy season will never ****ing end.
So go ahead and ask me if I’m looking forward to the end of rainy season. Just go ahead. But do it in person when I have a weapon nearby, because I may blank out in rage.
(The obvious is, obviously, not serious. Yes, I’m looking forward to winter’s end. And I hope it comes soon.)
Steven Fisher
Mar 21st, 2009
err, that is, “don’t do it in person…” :)
CWJ
Mar 21st, 2009
Careful my dear…the Fat Lady has not yet sung.
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/pe-5_metric_e.html
March can be cruel on the Island, with a snowy trick or two up its sleeve…
jypsy
Mar 21st, 2009
I’ve been in Calgary this past week….. 15 degrees yesterday, winter storm watch out for tonight (10-15cm snow, blowing..)….. Looking forward to seeing my Island again Tuesday night with whatever weather it has to offer….
Freda
Mar 21st, 2009
Your pictures are excellent. Cannot wait to visit PEI this summer. You even make me want and miss the cold and snow.
Arkansas does not have a lot of snow and really not much cold,even in the NW corner where I am however it has been nice to see the daffodils, jonquils, crocuses pop up in the last few weeks. The Bradford pear trees and forsythia bushes have also been in full bloom. Cannot wait for the lilacs to bloom and should be in full display in about 2 weeks.
Have had some 70 degree temps and hubby mowed the yard yesterday!!
Spring is the best season!!
Freda
Andy Collier
Mar 21st, 2009
You are so tempting fate asking winter if it’s over in MARCH!….lol
We’ve have snow in June often on the east coast!
Danielle
Mar 22nd, 2009
Hi there,
I just found your blog this morning after reading stories online about driving across Canada….my husband, 3 kids, 1 cat and 1 dog did exactly what you guys did in summer 2008. We sold our house in Sechelt, B.C., quit our jobs, bought an RV and took the ferry over to Vancouver Island. We then started our journey East to Nova Scotia…..I think it was the most educational experience we could have ever done for our children AND ourselves….We now live in Lawrencetown Nova Scotia on the Atlantic side ( there’s two Lawrencetowns ) and we are truly happy….In the 2 years we’ve lived here we’ve come to PEI 3 or 4 times. What a beautiful, calming island…….We love it. I’ve enjoyed your blog this morning and look forward to reading more……
Kerry
Mar 22nd, 2009
Right now the snow is coming down in big fat flakes, it’s a winter wonderland in spring. We’re near Kensington, PEI and it’s our first winter here. It doesn’t look much like spring right now but I know it’s just around the corner!
Barry
Mar 22nd, 2009
Just stumbled across your blog today and we’re practically neighbors! My wife and I live in Murray Harbour and your renovation pictures are very similar to our own collection. It looks like yours are perhaps a bit more extreme but we were also into insulating, gutting rooms and ripping out yester-year’s shag carpets to put a more historic look to our 140+ year old house. We salvaged old trim from houses being torn down and cleaned them up and used them in our house.
Great work and yes, I am sure spring has sprung and there will be black flies on the Whim Road in no time!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Mar 22nd, 2009
@Steven – Oh, oh, I understand completely. I remember it well! I was scared to move to the East coast because of the cold, but we looked at some stats and found that there were many more sunny days on the East coast than where we were in the West. Cold and sunny is a lot more cheerful than kinda warm and overcast, methinks.
@CWJ – “Flurries beginning early this evening and ending overnight…” Yes, the singing has yet to come. :)
@Jypsy – Have a safe flight home!
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Mar 23rd, 2009
@Freda – Lilacs! Blooms! Lovely! I can’t remember when you’re coming. Is it early or late Summer I wonder?
@Andy – Me? Tempt Winter? Never!
@Danielle – To do it like we did takes some guts. To do it with kids in tow takes GUTS! :) Welcome and thanks for saying hi! That must have been a definite adventure for your children. Good for you for embracing it!
@Kerry – I think it’s supposed to snow here tonight, too. I’m just hoping we don’t have to use the snowblower.
@Barry – Hi neighbour! Isn’t home renovation fun?!! :) Well, it may not be fun, but it is satisfying. Sometimes. I wonder what stage you’re at? Has all the plaster been eradicated from your home?
Gary Gray
Mar 23rd, 2009
Hi L-J
I was down at the waterfront on Tuesday I believe. It wasn’t quite spring yet.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25962109@N04/3361041546/
Smiles :o)
Gary
Barry
Mar 23rd, 2009
Well we’ve lived in our house about 10 years now. Young and foolish, it was our first home purchase after we moved here. The previous owner did alot of gutting of plaster back in the 60s or 70s and left us with poorly insulated walls and panel board throughout. We gutted every square inch of our main entry and living room, installed new windows and spent most of one winter living in the center of our house will all of our furniture shoved in the dining room. The upstairs is all the original plaster and we haven’t touched it. It was like a time warp walking up the stairs with the main level all done up in ugly 70s birch panel board and orange carpet to the upstairs will all original trim and plaster.
Since the plaster was in good shape, we insulated with blow in from the outside, dumped a bunch in our attic etc. We’ve also taken advantage of the energy audit program and we have our follow up test in June.
The one thing that bugs me about our house is that it has been “vinylized” sometime in the early 80s which to me, absolutely ruins the appearance of an old home. I’ve got a few pics up on facebook showing a snapshot of what we’ve done for reno work. Lots of fun but we’ve just tackled a project or two each year over a 10 year period. Keeps the marriage stable and the bank account at a decent level!
Take care,
B