1/27/10 – A ruptured steam line in Duluth cut off almost all communication here in Cook County yesterday. A fiber optic cable was melted by the steam and we were all without long distance telephone, cell phone and internet service. The exceptions were phone calls within your own exchange (hello neighbor!) and satellite internet except for websites that are hosted locally. For us, that meant only one phone call and no email for the day. It is interesting to be brought up short and realize how dependent we have become on modern communication.
Over the weekend we had a nice snowstorm that dumped 10″ of fresh snow. Much of the state had rain, but we had really wet snow for the first 3″ then fluffy snow on top of that. A perfect combination to refresh the trails and hills for skiing, snowboarding and this weekend’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. – Bill

Our sauna looks cozy under fresh snow in the dawn’s glow.

The pine grosbeaks are puffy and colorful at -4 degrees.

The snow gauge standing at 19″.