We went down to Boston this past weekend and had a good time (as always) with Chrissy's family. Went to a shooting range with Chrissy's brother in law's best friend, had some yummy Italian food downtown, and kept it low key. Wandering around Quincy one morning I noticed a peculiar tree. Kinda looked like Tamarack, but they don't have needles this time of year. I took a sprig of it home to identify and the best I could come up with was Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The book I've got says they are non-native ornamentals, which would explain why I've never seen one before. There were a couple of them growing in a small patch between the sidewalk and an office building. Maybe about 25' tall... Any other guesses?




The other day, I waxed my skis for the first time ever. I've had these skis for 6 years, and since they're "waxless" I always assumed I didn't need to wax them. Well, a coworker of mine showed me how it's done and man what a difference! I've never been able to push myself along a flat with just my poles before, but now I can fly. Wish I'd done that years ago! The snow was total crap, but it was still pretty fun. Here's a couple pictures:

Poplar Sunburst lichen (Xanthoria hasseana) and Star Rosette lichen (Physcia stellaris).


Down by the riverside.


I learned from a coworker who worked on the dam for this reservoir that they lower the water level 40 feet in the winter. I could have been skiing way out on the lake and been over no water at all. Ah well, next year...


In the summer, the water is right up to the banks and this stretch is slow-moving and deep. Always see lots of fish here when I'm canoeing. Right now, it's less than a foot deep and eroding the streambed.


Is that a glimmer of sunshine on the water??

I leave tomorrow for a 2.5-day drive down to Tennessee. However, I'm leaving early and stopping by my brother's place in Kentucky. My older brother happens to be in town as well. Should be a good time. Then it's 2 weeks or so of work and a long drive home (towards the end of March). Maybe it'll be spring when I get back.