We headed west and north up off the well-drained flat sand lands around Clarksburg that the apples like best, and came to this view. You can see the Thornbury water tower in the distance, but it's too hazy to make out Georgian Bay.
You might think this is another younger apple orchard, but no it's not, it's a vineyard, only the third one I've heard of this far north.
Grapes like the hills up from the bay with their clay soils where cold air drainage helps prevent the worst of the frost. There was a good crop on these vines last year.
We headed west and passed this neat barn quilt in bright colours.
And then we came to this snowbank, a huge one. Most rural roads don't have much in the way of big snowbanks this year, but where the wind blows the right direction big drifts form. Then when the plow comes by a larger than average snowbank starts forming. Over the season those snowbanks in areas of constant drifting can get huge.
The view out the car window shows how tall it is, well over ten feet. These are the spots where there can be a complete whiteout during a snowstorm, but that's another story.
We turned up the 7th Line and eventually crossed the Bighead River. It is completely open now and flowing like mad.
At home snow on the front lawn had melted enough that the spikes of the Daffodils had come out of hiding. These will have poked an inch or two out of the ground while they were still covered with snow. Spring is not far off!
I saw my first Robin too, on the street out front, but before I could fire up my phone it had retreated to the peak of the house across the street.
drives in the car always seem to offer lot's to see. we did not have much snow this year and i don't think our snow banks are ever that big, maybe in parking lots. the barn quilt is certainly bright and colorful, unlike ones i have seen. our robins never really left this year!!
ReplyDeleteYay for your first robin, and those huge snowdrifts, which are fast leaving even your neighborhood! Spring is definitely coming quickly now. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe river knows it's spring.
ReplyDeleteThat first robin is a great sighting every spring. Robins stayed here last winter. They ate the berries off our holly tree as they were exposed by the melting snow.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty, colorful quilt square on the barn.
ReplyDeleteWow that is some big snowbank around yet.
A few robins seem to hang around all winter but only recently have I heard any singing. Today there's a Northern Flicker drumming away on the neighbour's roof vent stack no doubt advertising for a mate.
ReplyDeleteYears ago when I was in hospital, the man across from me had all his family there, one son lived in Canada . He told me sometimes the snow banks were as high as the power poles, their vehicle had to be plugged into power to keep the Battery warm? and at the end of winter the underside of the car was so rusty from the salt on the icy roads. That window view is amazing, and signs of spring, I will take great delight watching your gardens bloom as ours go into hibernation.
ReplyDeleteSaw the first tree swallows of the year on Thursday and the first phoebes of the year this morning, but it's forecast to be 19 degrees (F) tomorrow night so they may have jumped the gun. They'll survive on fruit for a few days if insects aren't available, but I'm not sure they can survive 19 degrees.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a lot of Robins around here this week so I think next week you should see some more. No snow drifts left here but I think you are to have snow tonight and tomorrow. It will never end it seems.
ReplyDeleteSnow is on the way out here despite a little fall last night. About the only spots are where it has been piled or in deep shade or in a combination of the two. Seeing the daffs rising is a pretty wonderful thing. I haven’t noticed any here yet, though.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of snow you still have hanging around. I'm amazed to see vineyards there.
ReplyDeleteMy early daffodils are almost done, but I have late bloomers that I look for these days. You have some heavy snow there which reminds me of my youth in the Colorado mountains.
ReplyDeleteI've yet to see a robin here and so hoping they show up soon. One more week of cooler weather and hopefully winter will finally lose its grip.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful drive. :) Those snow banks look hard packed too!
ReplyDeleteDaffodils, ♥, our first hardy flowers.
I do like the bright colours in the barn quilt.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
OMG daffies! This is incredibly heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteP.S. You live in a lovely part of Ontario!
DeleteLove the view of the Bighead River.
ReplyDeleteYou have Spring when you have Robins and daffodils showing up!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see that Spring is on its way where you are. You live in such a beautiful part of the world, it's great that you can more easily navigate it when the snow disappers.
ReplyDeleteSpring is not far behind!
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