Winter Continues

We have had snow on the ground since Thanksgiving and the winter is beginning to seem abysmally long. The kids haven't complained a bit and in fact they don't seem to have noticed that winter lasts longer here than in Champaign. Fortunately they cope well with both monotony and hectic change which stands them in good stead for life here at the park. They are happy campers as usual. We have seen two sure signs that spring is approaching. First, an infernal mud pit has developed at the intersection of our two most-used roads. I read a book about pioneers recently which said that in the mid-nineteenth century the deep ruts made by wagon wheels on the Oregon Trail (ruts made in the mid-eighteenth century) were still visible along the roads in that area. I believe it, given how quickly this mess has developed while the ground is still mostly snow-covered. Hopefully we will be able to put down some gravel here soon but the gravel pile is currently frozen solid.Here is the other sign of spring - growing buds on the American Lindens in the parking lot! It is gratifying to see that our baby trees made it through the winter.