Travel Preparations

As I look out my window the wind is billowing clouds of snow off the roof, sending them in cyclones across the yard. The sun is warm, but the weather forecast predicts another night dipping below zero. This winter has found me far less grumpy about such nights, as the house we now live in is more than adequately insulated to withstand such temperatures. While I do still have to get up in the middle of night to put wood in the fire, the wood stove is much easier to maintain than the wood boiler in the other house, thus my nightly routine consists of 5 minutes instead of 45, a welcome change.

This isn't an ordinary Friday afternoon for us, involving merely preparations for the end of week and Sabbath, but also for our trip to South Carolina on Sunday. We'll be going for 2 weeks this time, instead of 1. We're also traveling heavier than usual, as we are taking the truck, trailer, skid steer, and a good deal more food than usual. As the wife of the beekeeping duo we meet up with in South Carolina is staying in NY for this trip, I will be taking on the responsibility of feeding the crew of us (3 adults and 2 very hungry teenage boys). So for those of you wondering if my food service days have gone to waste, I assure you they have not! We are also taking our canine companion for his first time south. We're very excited to not have to be separated from our cuddle buddy for this longer stay! No more shivery nights, as he will likely be lying right between us with his head on the pillow. ;)

It will be a busy and productive couple of weeks down there as we prepare to send the bees to California to pollinate the vast acres of almond orchards. As hard as it was for me to leave the North the first several trips south in the middle of the holiday season, this one is slightly easier, as the holidays are past, and warmer weather is waiting to greet us in the South. :) We'll enjoy it for all of you up here! Still hoping there is snow upon our return home, however, because we have a lot of snowboarding we want to do in February!

Do your best to stay warm Northern friends! We'll send you some sunny rays from the south while we're away!