We have had a very easy winter this year. I would say we had the snowblower out only 2 times. Being a lifetime resident of the Buffalo, NY area (although I did live in Virginia Beach, Virginia for 3 years) I cannot remember a winter with less snow. 

I checked out the GoldenSnowball Award website (it is a little contest between 5 cities in Upstate New York based on which city receives the most snowfall each season). 

It said that last year at this time - Buffalo had received 84.7 inches of snow (the normal average being 94.7). Our greatest all time season record was 1976-1977 (The Blizzard year) were we had 199.4 inches. 

So far this year we have had only 29.7 inches of snow!

Like I said - it has been great - wearing a sweatshirt instead of the bulky winter coat, boots, gloves, hat and scarf. There was only one morning that the driving was a bit 'dicey.' It has been a pleasure not to have to shovel, or drive on ice!

Although, while we are enjoying the benefits of a snowless winter, it is making things very hard for those who work in the areas of residential snow removal, and those who work on snowblowers for a living. 

Overnight we did get a little bit more of the white stuff - although it was very heavy . .  much like the spring snows of April. No light fluffy stuff last night. Although - I must say, I loved the look of my birch tree this morning. 

It sure was very pretty, just after the sun came up, behind all the clouds mind you, the sky is as white as the snow! The photo's are straight out of the camera - and a bit tinted blue - from the darkness of the morning. 

You can see from the photo below that the snow was easily melting this morning into an icy mess, up close. 

I doubt Jake will get out to shoot any baskets today.

The birds were having a bit of a time with the snow as well. It hung over the top of the feeder making it quite a challenge to get underneath and get the seed. 

But the downey's were easily able to manage the frozen suet feeder. 

I guess they are calling for a high of 42 today with a rain snow mix - so most likely our bit of white will quickly melt away. 

Day 5 - Westendorf, Austria

I had to step away from the trip photos for a while. It just has been so very overwhelming, just the sheer number of photos. But as I go back and look I am entranced again with the gorgeous beauty of the Austrian Alps.

If you need a review of the trip I took with my son Jacob in July of 2011, as we traveled with American Music Abroad, here are a few links:

Part I: The Tour Began

Part II: Arriving in Europe. Our First Day

Part III: Day One Continued . . .

Europe Day 2: Monday July 18

Europe Day 2: Monday the afternoon

Still Day 2: Europe (Vienna Austria)

Day 3: Our trip to Salzburg

Day 3: Salzburg: The Old Towne

Day 3: On to Westendorf

Day 4: Hintertux Glacier

And so today - I begin with Day 5.  We were still in Westendorf Austria - and we had the morning and afternoon completely free for exploration. Our first "check in" for the day was dinner at 5pm. I decided Jake needed a day on his own - and so I let him go his way, and I went mine.

And so, we chose to walk around the town and over to the ski lift, for a ride up to the top of one of the local mountains. It had rained the day before, so we started out with quite a bit of fog, but the low hanging clouds made for some gorgeous photo's and we road to the top.

The steeple from the local church on the right.

Dana and Sue

A sign advertising our concert that evening at the Village Hall.

Riding up . . .  the view was amazing

Outside the restaurant at the top, one could try their hand at milking. 

Inside the restaurant. They had the absolute best Hot Chocolate I have ever had in my life. I asked the woman for the name - and it was a red packaged named Tiffany's Shokolade. I have searched the internet all over and cannot find it. It really was good!!

We all had to try the Strudel. They told us that this place had the absolute best - and they were so totally right!

You could have it with a vanilla sauce. I chose real whip cream.
MMMMMMmmmmmm!

Right outside the restaurant. 

We were able to get really upclose and personal with these cows!

There were a couple more trails to hike up to some different summits. I was going with this group - but had to turn back - my asthma started acting up - so instead I just walked around at that level - soaking in the glory and beauty that surrounded me!

Don't Drink the Water!

A couple of boys made the hike - from the bottom to the top - skipping the ski lift. Little did I know that my son - was at that moment - lost on the side of the mountain with several of his friends. 

 

One last look on the ride down.

Above and below is the cemetery that was to the side of the local church. How unique looking it was to me. Full gravel yard with wood and metal headstones.

It is actually better than I was told. Someone told me in Germany they allow a person to be buried for 25 years, then dig up their remains and put them in mass graves. I have no clue as to the validity of that claim. I guess it makes tracing your roots very difficult. 

I guess that is enough for now. After we came down from the mountain, their was a street market taking place. It was fun to walk around. I got some neat photos. 

Just so you aren't worrying - Jake did meet us at 5pm for dinner - although he and several of the boys had ruined their sneakers - and were wearing their dress shoes with their shorts to dinner. That was just a little hint - that something had not gone exactly right.