To all you snowbirds: Last nite we had our first snowfall in the frozen north on the Champlain Canal. This is the view from my couch: http://www.tug44.org/snow.jpg My harbor is drained though there is still a bit of water in the bottom of the channel. They drain it down to the natural river level and leave the lock valves open. Notice the big plank leaning on the porch railing. That plank was laying on the bottom of the canal on the day I first arrived here by boat 4 years ago, and of course the prop hit the plank. Now it serves as Bear the Cat's scratching post, he has removed a half inch of solid oak in the years since. Soon, Bear will be able to go pheasant hunting in the snow. And now it's time for me to go find out if the snowblower still works. Meanwhile, here's a selection of winter scenery on the NY Canals: http://www.tug44.org/canal.winter/scenery/ Boating season starts in only 5 months. Fred Tug 44 http://www.tug44.org/