Traditions.

2009! Hopefully to be a year of great change!
While some worry about world peace and the economic doldrums we chose to make the most of the first day of the New Year. First there were family gatherings, feasting and celebrations of epic proportions... then there were the traditional hikes up into the mountains..


Of course, when some of the older cousins are also SMG guides there are bound to be some extreme celebrations..
Air temperature : 22... water temperature : 32.1... fun factor: 10 of 10!

To be followed this week by a pilgrimage to Northern New England in search of climbable ice and skiable snow...






















..and along those lines, this cheerful thought (not!) from Accuweather's Henry Margusity: "as far as winter weather, thanks to global warming, Atlanta is the new Miami, Charlotte is the new Atlanta, Richmond is the new Charlotte, DC is the new Richmond, Philadelphia the new DC.. and so it goes." (sic)