At 11:00, he acknowledges Melissa Jenkins. Good to see POTUS in VT.

There’s a fascinating article in Friday’s New York Times about what author Eric Weiner calls ‘thin places,’ best defined (in his words) as locations where heaven and earth get close, where transcendent feelings may arise.  The picture above shows one.  It’s a certain corner on a trail called Carriage Road on Burke Mountain.  If you’re a decent skier and have spent time here, you know EXACTLY where this spot is.  There’s another spot on the mountain, at the divide between Upper and Lower Willoughby that can also be described as a thin place.  The panorama that unfolds to the north looks more like a painting than reality…it’s a jaw-dropping view of Willoughby Gap, with Mounts Hor & Pisgah girding the depths of the lake.  Just to the northwest, another fifteen or so miles north is Jay Peak, and beyond, the Eastern Townships of Quebec.  This weekend, with strong March sunshine and temperatures sitting right around the freezing mark, we got in what will probably be the final days of decent skiing.  A big warmup is underway, and this winter of our discontent will soon make way for a very early spring.

Take the few minutes to read the Times article and hey, we’d love to hear about (and see pictures of) YOUR thin places.

p.s.  If you’d like a hi-res large copy of the picture above, drop us an email: vermontmornings@gmail.com

\”Summer\’s Here\” by James Taylor

Summer’s here, I’m for that. Got my rubber sandals, got my straw hat.
Got my cold beer, I’m just glad that it’s here.

Summer’s here, that suits me fine. It may rain today but I don’t mind.
It’s my favorite time of the year and I’m glad that it’s here.

Old man wintertime, he goes so slow. It’s ten degrees below, you know.
You can take your ice and snow, but let my balmy breezes blow.

Yeah, the water’s cold but I’ve been in. Baby, lose the laundry and jump on in.
I mean all God’s children got skin and it’s summer again.

Old man wintertime, he goes so slow. It’s ten degrees below, you know.
You can take your ice and snow, but let my balmy breezes blow.

Summer’s here, I’m for that. Got my rubber sandals, got my straw hat.
Drinking cold beer, man I’m glad that it’s here.
It’s my favorite time of the year and I’m glad that it’s here, yeah.

WATERBURY – The National Weather Service is expecting more thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening, and has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Flash Flood Watch for most of the areas that were hit by heavy rain Thursday night.

NWS says the already saturated ground will not be able to absorb any more water and further flooding is a strong possibility in areas where storms hit.

Vermont Emergency Management and NWS strongly urge Vermonters to keep a close eye on rivers and streams and evacuate immediately if floodwaters threaten your home.  It is also very important that motorists DO NOT DRIVE OVER FLOODED ROADS.  The flash flooding of the past 24-hours washed out many roads, and those washouts cannot be seen when there is water over the road.  It takes water less than 2 feet deep to cause vehicles to float, and Flash floods also contain a strong current that can easily sweep you or your car away.

211:

Those homeowners who have suffered damage in the most recent floods are asked to call 2-1-1 to report that damage.

Current Road closures:

Route 302 in Berlin (Barre-Montpelier Road) – flooding

Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg – flooding

Route 2 in Cabot – vicinity of Goodrich Maple Farm – culvert damage.  This will be closed for some time as it appears that this culvert has dropped and needs replacement.

Route 2 in E. Montpelier – vicinity Mekkelsen RV – flooding

Route 2B in St. Johnsbury – flooding.

Route 232 in Groton – flooding

Route 14 in Barre Town – vicinity Gillies Marine – flooding:  Will be closed for a while.

Route 14 in Williamstown – flooding

Route 5 in Passumpsic – flooding: Will be closed for a while.

Route 2 Montpelier to Middlesex – flooding

Route 62 in Barre City from Main Street to Berlin Street

Route 14 in Williamstown Gulf – closed for repairs.

Several other local roads are closed; please respect all road closures.

Motorists are reminded to never drive across flooded roads.  Floodwaters can create unseen washouts and in flash flooding the current can be extremely strong; strong enough to wash away you and your car.  Most flooding deaths occur when motorists drive through floodwaters.

If you do evacuate your home, turn off your circuit breaker before you leave and have your home’s electrical system inspected by a professional before you return.

For road closures dial 511 or go to www.511vt.com.

211:

Those homeowners who have suffered damage in the most recent floods are asked to call 2-1-1 to report that damage.

Current Road closures:

State Roads:

Route 302 in Berlin (Barre-Montpelier Road) – flooding

Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg – flooding

Route 2 in Plainfield (east of village) – flooding

Route 2 in Cabot – vicinity of Goodrich Maple Farm – culvert damage

Route 2 in E. Montpelier – vicinity Mekkelsen RV – flooding

Route 232 In Groton – flooding

Route 14 In Barre Town – vicinity Gillies Marine – flooding

Route 14 In Williamstown – flooding

Route 12 Montpelier to Northfield Falls – flooding

Route 5 In Passumpsic – flooding

Route 2 Montpelier to Middlesex – flooding

Route 64 in Williamstown from Route 14 to Construction Hill – flooding / undermining

Route 62 in Barre City from Main Street to Berlin Street

Route 14 in Williamstown Gulf – closed for repairs.

Several other local roads are closed; please respect all road closures.

Shelters:

National Life of Vermont building on National Life Drive in Montpelier

Barre Auditorium in Barre

(St. Johnsbury and Berlin shelters are now CLOSED)

State offices in Washington, Orange and Caledonia counties are closed for the day due to the storm.  State workers have reported for duty in all other counties.

Motorists are reminded to never drive across flooded roads.  Floodwaters can create unseen washouts and in flash flooding the current can be extremely strong; strong enough to wash away you and your car.  Most flooding deaths occur when motorists drive through floodwaters.

If you do evacuate your home, turn off your circuit breaker before you leave and have your home’s electrical system inspected by a professional before you return.

For road closures dial 511 or go to www.511vt.com.

Updated information:

Current Road closures:

Route 302 / Route 25 in Orange- flooding

Route 302 in Groton from Route 232 to Powder Spring Road – flooding

Route 2 St. Johnsbury to Lunenburg – flooding

Route 2 in Plainfield (east of village) – flooding

Route 2 in E. Montpelier in the vicinity Mekkelsen RV – flooding

Route 232 in Groton – flooding

Route 14 in Barre Town in the vicinity Gillies Marine – flooding

Route 14 in S. Barre in the vicinity Hannafords to Route 63 – flooding

Route 14 in Williamstown – flooding

Route 12 Montpelier to Northfield Falls – flooding

Route 5 St. Johnsbury Center to Lyndonville – mudslide / flooding

Route 5 in Passumpsic – flooding

Route 2 Montpelier to Middlesex – flooding

Route 140 and 155 Wallingford – trees down, crews removing, should reopen soon.

Route 64 in Williamstown from Route 14 to Construction Hill – flooding/undermining

Montpelier Road Closures:

Elm Street from Spring Street

Northfield Street from Derby Street

Sherwood Street

State Street

Bailey Avenue

Old Country Club Road

Tyler Street

Derby Street

Granite Street

Several other local roads are closed; please respect all road closures.

Shelters:

National Life of Vermont building on National Life Drive in Montpelier

Barre Auditorium in Barre

(St. Johnsbury and Berlin shelters are now CLOSED)

State offices in all counties have been authorized to operate on a reduced workforce status from 3:00am to 10:00am on Friday, May 27, 2011.  Employees who are affected by the reduced workforce status during this period may do so without loss of pay or benefits.

Motorists are reminded to never drive across flooded roads.  Floodwaters can create unseen washouts and in flash flooding the current can be extremely strong; strong enough to wash away you and your car.  Most flooding deaths occur when motorists drive through floodwaters.

If you do evacuate your home, turn off your circuit breaker before you leave and have your home’s electrical system inspected by a professional before you return.

For road closures dial 511 or go to www.511vt.com.

A foot of snow fell on Burke Mountain yesterday, and today, at the 21st Annual Pond Skimming competition, we skied beforehand in mid-winter conditions.  Last year, it was 81 degrees when the skimming starting and there were two trails open for skiing.  This year, partly cloudy and 36F.

Huge crowds show up to watch regardless of the weather, but with the mountain still 100% open and with a foot of fresh snow, the skiers and riders showed up in droves.  Tomorrow was the scheduled closing day, but they’ll reopen next weekend (9 & 10 April) for some spring (?) skiing.

This year’s theme was “Heroes & Villains.” The gentleman above was a Bailed Out Banker from AIG. And yes, you have to…skim the pond.

By far the coolest skimmers this year were the first-ever (at Burke) TANDEM skiers.   Their boards were at least eight feet tall and a ten inches wide, and, appearing as Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, they made it to round…two.

See you on the slopes next week…and at Pond Skimming  2012!

(all pictures by Alyssa Nichols)

Town Meeting Day.  A part of Vermont life since the early days of the republic.  Although attendance is down and most town have switched to voting by Australian ballot (instead of saying “aye” or “naye” surrounded by your neighbors), it’s still the way we elect selectboards, vote on town and school budgets and air our grievances.

The above picture was taken at Lyndon Town Meeting.  On stage are the selectboard to the left (the chairman was voted out of office later that day), the town clerk to the right and moderator Norm Messier conducting the business of the day.

Civil and genteel, this day was, even with sharply divergent ideas and opinions as to how best to run our town.  New Hampshire town meeting is coming up next week.  The rest of the country would do well to study how democracy works on the local level.