I was speaking to Herb Hammond last week.  He is one of the grand pubas of the snowmobile club.  I asked him to let me know where they are grooming because it is hard to find out specifics.  Bless his heart he calls me nearly every morning to let me know.  But he talks in trail numbers (you know how I am with numbers) so it takes me a while to figure out where they have been.

Enough of my sob story.  They groomed from Bancroft to Whitney on Wednesday.  E109 & 173 to Madawaska last night as well as the Mink Lake trail.

The lakes are still not safe so if trails are showing closed that is why.  You have to use the alternate route around them.

It's snowing now and looks like it will keep up for most of the day.  Of course it is I'm going to town.  I should have gone yesterday when it was sunny, but nooooo, wait until it is messy out.

The temperature is staying very cold especially at night but it usually warms up once it snows so we will have to wait and see.

No touching stories or bone head plays yet so that's it for today.  Things should be in good shape for the weekend.

Hope you stop by if you are in the area.

Cheers
Nancy

Wow baby the season has definitely started.  The sledders are back big time.  It is nice to see some of the old familiar faces back (the young ones too) both locals and cottagers.  There are people from Bancroft that I only see during sledding season.

It funny how you can recognize some people as soon as they pull in by the sled and suit etc. and others you just have to wait that 20 minutes until they get in and unbundled.

No specifics on where grooming has taken place just that it has.  They rail bed was rough by yesterday but I saw the groomer go by about 5:00 last evening.  It didn't matter where he went the path to LSP will be better.

No word from anyone on the trail through the park to Haliburton.  Most people are just assuming that it hasn't been done.  The bottom line is no one is complaining (shocking) about trail conditions, things are in good shape for early in the season.  The groomers are doing their best.  Watch for rocks.

Man the full moon this week was awesome.  To quote Mrs Card, "You could read the paper on your front porch last night."  She was right.  It looked like daylight at three in the morning with the snow reflecting off the trees in the moonlight.  It was just beautiful. 

Sorry no snow measurements today as not enough has fallen.  We are expecting more today and tomorrow so I will drag out the old yard stick then.  Keep in mind that women have been duped about what three inches really is for decades!!!!

There, duty done-trail report--check
                             touching story--check
                              snow measure--check
My work here is done.

Back soon.
Happy New Year.
Cheers
Nancy

Okay two updates in one day.  I have to respond to the two comments that were put up on the previous blog.

To anonymous-When you ask me how many inches of snow is here what would you like me to do.  Trot outside with my yard stick and measure. When eight inches of snow fall today it settles into four inches of snow tomorrow.  I write descriptively not specifically.  When I say if you haven't had your cottage driveway plowed you will be walking in picture  in your mind how much snow that would be!!!  If you are a sledder and they are grooming realize that that is enough snow to go sledding.  I could measure the 1 to 3 foot snow banks (depending on where they plowed or the 1 inch left in the driveway.  I am slopping through the side yard to measure.  If you want specifics call Frankie whats his name from BT and ask how many inches have fallen.

To the guy that wants pictures you have not read previous blogs where I talk about being technically challenged.  It is all that I can to to sync my iPhone and iPad.  I do take pics and if I figure out how to load them I don't know how to get them back later.  I never figure out what a jpg1234566789 is.

I will try for pics because it does look beautiful and if you are not able to come  up it would be nice to see.

So people keep in mind that I am a dotty owner with a sharp tongue and no patience.  I do not run the LSP weather station.  I will do my best to keep you informed.  Keep the comments coming though they do amuse me.

Thank you for letting me rant once more.  (Smiley face here if I knew how to do it).

Cheers
Nancy

Well all of the festivities should be over but not at my house.  Due to kids with various work schedules and other activities we still have three more family dinners this week, and guess who gets to cook them.  Oh well there is not travelling involved and we get to see almost everyone eventually.

The snow continues to fall.  Not lots just snow.  Not too  much yesterday but we are expecting more today.  It is however COLD!  -8 is the high for today.  -19 when I got up at 7:00 this morning.

I am seeing by the number of hits the site is getting that I had better step up to the plate and update more often.  But with Brian M here for a week that will lower the hits by half I'm sure.

Here's a shout out to the truck driver that Brian met in Brockville or somewhere down there while they were both making deliveries at the same location.  Small world they got chatting about things and realized that the both sledded and ate at the diner regularly.  So if you read this one say hey the next time you stop in.

I'm told that grooming is to start today so I will update on where when I hear more.  I will check with riders in today (and there better be some) to see how trail conditions are.

Well that's it for today.  I have to get ready for work.  I am opening up this morning so the staff can have more time off.  What a great boss I am.

You will see some  new faces around the diner this winter. I have 2 new cooks and two new servers.  Every one is fitting in well and we should have a great season.

Back in a day or two.

Cheers
Nancy

It's still snowing and hasn't stopped since Thursday.  We have a ton of snow.  If you don't have your driveway plowed you will be walking into your cottage!!!!!

It's looking really pretty up here and if I were more tech savey I would post some pictures to back me up.

No grooming yet but lots of sledders in.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and safe drives for everyone.

Cheers
Nancy

WE HAD OUR FIRST SLEDDERS IN.  YEEE HAW!!!

Even though we have been snow covered for quite some time it was a welcome sight to get the dumping of snow that we got overnight.  This will be the first time in a couple of years that I will have to have the lot plowed twice in one day.  But today is the day.

Both Mink Lake and  Lake St. Peter are frozen over.  Now I wouldn't be ice fishing just yet but if it continues to stay this cold it won't be long.

The sledders in today said that the trails were great but then they were the first ones on them.  If the snow keeps up like this they will be grooming before we know it.

Not much new or exciting in LSP.  Same on stuff just covered in snow now.  Town is as busy as an August weekend today.  It seems that Christmas sneaks up and surprises everyone not just me.

On a sad note the big white duck (Sherman) that lived in the pond next to the diner is no longer with us.  It seems that a fox or martin slipped in and snatched him up.  Poor Sherman.  I'm sure that most of you were just like me and you looked for him every time you drove or walked by the pond.  He was always there sitting on the log or the dock.  He was kept very busy this summer trying to protect his food from the geese that would visit the pond.  They were always trying to snitch some of it. 

The diner will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but open Boxing Day from noon til 7:00 pm.

Have a Very Merry Christmas.  Safe travels and lots of fun.  Hope we see you over the holidays.

I'll be back next week, sooner if they start grooming.

Cheers
Nancy

Well it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here until the rain Sunday hit.  Now it just looks like the end of March.

It is to be mild for most of the week.  So let's all get out there and do the snow dance.  We need snow.  This mild damp weather is painful!!  Come on people shake what your mama gave you.  I can't do this all by myself.

The new Case groomer arrived back in LSP on the weekend.  It was looking good until Lionel went out to start it so that the engine would be warm when they unloaded it from the float.  When he shut the door of the groomer the front window exploded out all over the front of it.  Some assembly required before grooming. 

Don't forget the Santa Claus Parade in Maynooth next weekend.  5:00 pm and lots of activities going on in town all day. 

The new guys have taken over the Arlington Hotel in Maynooth.  They are planning some events including live music on Dec 8  in the evening after the parade.  If you can imagine it will be opened during the day and even on the weekends!! Go figure.  Good luck guys I hope you do well.

They will also be open to sledders for accommodation and drinks.  Limited food for now but gas just accross the road and lots of parking for trucks and trailers.

I am going away next Friday for one week so no updates even if it does snow.

That's it for now.
Get that shopping done.
Cheers
Nancy

It looks like fall may be coming to an end.  We have woken up to snow three or four times so far, but the last time it stayed.  We got a couple of inches on Tuesday and there is still some on the ground in places that don't get the sun.  It has been beautiful.  Cold but sunny and now sort of snowy.  If it's going to snow it should snow and stay, not come and go.

The bridge work on 127 is now completed.  Lights have been down for a couple of weeks now and the paving is done also. 

The bridge replacement at Mink Lake is also finished ahead of schedule.  The residents were to be out for three weeks and they had it replaced and finished in less than two weeks.  A good job and a great bunch of guys.  We fed them three times a day and you couldn't have asked for a nicer group.

Snowmobile permits are selling.  Don't forget to get yours before December 1st to get the lower rate.  I have decided that we are going to have lots of snow this winter so the sledding season should be awesome!!!

The Santa Clause parade in Maynooth is Saturday, December 8th at 5.00 pm.  It is a great parade for a small village with a great turn out.  If you can make it up you won't be disappointed.

This is the end of the deer hunt for most people.  Some had good luck, some not so much (sorry Brian, better luck next year).  It's good to hear that the women are all holding up their end this year with great success.  In one camp four were shot in one week, three by the same lady.

I finally had to take my sandals off last week.  I don't know why, I just did.  I miss my sandals already.  Now its back to sorting socks again.  Grrrr 

Well again it took me so long to post that if there was a touching story or a bone head play I've forgotten it (socking) so I will end now.

Back I hope before the end of the month and for sure when the snow flies.

Go Argos Go!!!!

Cheers
Nancy

Well not only is labour day long gone but now Thanksgiving is only a memory.  It was a good thing that it came early because the changing leaves came early also.  Most of the colour is gone, just the yellows are left but it still looks pretty driving down a narrow side road.

Snowmobile season must be just around the corner.  We have permits to sell and a sign out front saying so (which was recently moved by the road workers, they said it was too close to the hwy).  Funny I have had a sign advertising propane sales, ice sales and the permit sign up for years and no one has ever had a collision with all the reading available out front but we must take them all down anyway.  You crazy drivers we must protect you from yourselves!!!  But I digress.  I know that snowmobile season is coming soon because we have had snow about three times so far.  Nothing to get all excited about.  I am still wearing my sandals, after all it is still only October.  But it has been enough to remind us that Mother Nature is getting ready to challenge us all again. Bring it on lady.  I'm ready for you.

This week is Moose hunting week.  Things are pretty quiet around here.  Not the normal table of gossip and BS with most of the old boys out trekking through the bush.  There was an accident yesterday.  A hunter fell out of his tree stand (no this isn't the start of a joke) just off the Mink Lake Road and was hurt.  It was difficult to get him out of the bush but they did so and he was airlifted to hospital in the ORANG helicopter.  No word on how serious.

After the moose hunt there is a week in between and then the deer hunt starts for two weeks.  Another quiet time except for the wives that treat themselves to dinner with the husbands away.

The work on the bridges is almost complete.  One bridge had the barrier down and just cones now.  The other will not be far behind.  Just another couple of weeks I think.

Well not much to report that I can remember.  It is so long between postings that I forget all the good stuff by the next time.  Oh well.

That's it for now---oh and by the way---Hi Dave!!!!

Cheers
Nancy

Holy moly.  I can't believe that September is almost over.  I'm sure it was just labour day a week ago.

We were crazy busy on the long weekend and then the wheels fell off.  It's been like that all month.  Either so busy it's hard to keep up or so slow I get a serious case of drop ass.  Which is why there have been no updates.

September has been a great month even though it is getting pretty cold at night.

The bear hunters did not do too well this year.  There were lots around all summer and then all of a sudden they must have gotten the memo and all disappeared.

The bone head play of the week goes to guess who--Pick me, pick me.  I was changing my clothes to come to work the evening shift and thought I'd be clever and do a load of wash first.  When I got back to the diner and was looking for my cell phone it occurred to me that I had left it in my pants pocket.  You guessed it, the ones that just got washed.  Sadly two days in a bag of rice did not fix it and I am now going to get another.  I was happy being a dinosaur with my iPhone 3.  I don't need a 5 and the 4rs are almost as much as a 5.  Oh what to do.  My smart ass son said, "I guess iPhone doesn't have an app for everything."   What does he know he is a Blackberry snob.

On a sad note our weekend morning server Shelia's husband passed away after a brief illness this week. Our thoughts are with her and she would like to come back to work after a few weeks.

The leaves are turning quickly and are beautiful.  It's a good thing that Thanksgiving is early this year.  If it was much later there may not have been any left.

I was planning to be opened last Sunday during the planned power outage.  But after much fiddling around the generator finally pooped out.  It is not old just cranky I guess.  So about 12:30 I threw in the towel and took the rest of the day off.  All went well and the power was back on by 7:00.

That's about it for now.  It's kind of sad to see the cottagers leaving for the season. But soon the sledders will be back and we will be on to the next season.  Oh I can hear the groans from here!!!

I hope you make it up for the long weekend and we have a great one.

Cheers
Nancy