Is Spring Finally Coming to Boothbay Harbor?

"A possible accumulation of one to three inches of snow," Charlie Lopresti, Chief Meteorologist for Channel 13, solemnly predicted.  

As the first flakes began to fall at 2:30 PM this past Saturday, I had visions of a white blanket softly wafting across our parking lot.  This is the same parking lot that had finally seen the last vestiges of the ice mounds that had formed from the snow plowed from Townsend Avenue for the past three months disappear the previous day.  As the snowfall rapidly increased, I could see the little patches of white beginning to cling tentatively to the ground.  

Just as I had convinced myself it was time to start spreading ice melter on the walk, the strangest thing happened.  The snow stopped and turned to, not rain, but . . .  sunshine!  Taking Cay, our German Shepherd, out for his afternoon constitutional, I was doubly suprised to discover it had also grown noticeably warmer than it had been earlier in the day.  Cay felt it too, as his tail was clearly curled up over his back as he cavorted about; a clear sign he was enjoying himself.

I thought back to a few other things my subconscious had registered over the past few days.  A few more birdsongs in the air.  More people walking about downtown. A cardinal flitting about at Barrett's Park.  Opening day of the baseball season fast approaching (AT LAST!)  

Our first winter in Boothbay Harbor has been a good one.  The inn has withstood the cold weather well, with no major mechanical or construction problems occurring (knock on wood.)  Karine and I have loved our walks on the Land Trust trails through the snow, with only a few minor falls on the icy spots to remind us to watch where we step instead of gawking at the breathtaking scenery.  Our outings to the Opera House and eating at McSeagulls and The Thistle.  Enjoying the scrumptious apple fritters from Baker's Way.  Most of all, we loved welcoming the guests who braved the elements to visit us throughout the winter months.

But the time has come to look forward instead of reminiscing.  Each day we discover new bookings from our website as the early birds begin to book their summer holidays.  We've starting thinking about what to do in the gardens outside Bayberry House, and whether to hang flower baskets on the front porch.  Its also time to finally get finished with those projects we had planned to make our guests' stay that much more enjoyable.

"What's that you say, Charlie?  Possibly three to six inches of snow accumulation Tuesday night into Wednesday morning?"  

Well, Spring will be here soon, but maybe not yet!