Storm Dec 28

Just a small storm, and a few "teaser" pictures for those of you that like to see the snow - stay tuned though as the weatherman has promised a HUGE storm is coming our way for New Years Day. Until then, enjoy the snow pictures, and for those that live here and have to navigate the road, know that Richard has once again done a FANTASTIC job of plowing - the road is wide and smooth and feels like a paved superhighway!

December 2009 Photos

A couple of storms worth of snow - snow then rain then snow again. But a big thank you to our intrepid snowplower - Richard Choate - for a job well done! I got the word that readers of this blog would like an indication of where on the road each picture was taken from - I have attempted to do that with each picture. Please let me know if the references are ones you know, or if I should find another way to describe them.

First pic is from Chips driveway - the removal of that huge rock on the left really allowed the road to be plowed nice and wide.

This is a shot from Cindy Cushing's looking towards Thundercastle Road
This is in front of Barry's house looking toward Thundercastle Road

Darren Fredette cleaned out opposite his house - there is a nice wide turn around there - this is looking toward Thundercastle Road at that turn around.

This shot is from about halfway up the hill - once again looking toward Thundecastle Road.

This is from the top of the hill looking down Torsey Shores Road.

Bonus Pictures!

While I was out snapping pictures of the fall road grading job, the sun was (oh so very quickly) setting - I managed to make it to the beach to capture these shots.

Fall Road Grading

The annual fall road grading was completed today. As usual, Dennis Bruen (accompanied by his son this year) did a fabulous job. Thanks Dennis!

Road Work

We had some work done on the hill yesterday - three loads of aggregate dumped, spread and then rolled. There is now a slight bump when you enter the road (we are on the list for a free "leftover" load of pavement - shall we all say a prayer to the pavement spirits that this happens? - which will fill in from the road to the now present bump) and let me explain the reason for said bump.
Each time the town paved Thundercastle Road, the height of that road was raised. Thundercastle road has been paved three times in the last however many years, which caused a rain run-off directly down our road. After our road was graded last year, our co-road commissioner consulted with a few local contractors to determine the problem and engineer a fix for it. Once the ditches were cleaned (last summer) and the culverts emptied it was easier to see how the rain (and rain run-off) affected the road, especially the hill.
Our intrepid contractor (John Cushing of Cushing Construction right here in Readfield), working with the co-road commissioner, formulated a plan to create a run-off point at the TOP of the hill, which, in theory, should then cause the run-off to actually run down the ditches and through the vegetation rather than down the middle of the road, thus stopping the wearing away of the hill.

We also installed 5 additional Speed Limit signs as a reminder to drivers that the speed limit on the road is 15mph.

A BIG thank-you to John Cushing for doing such a good job - and for taking the time to work with us and help us to figure out how to spend our money wisely. (he can be contacted through his website here)

Spring Grading on Torsey Shores

Dennis Bruen (such a nice guy - and always a happy smiling face!) did the spring grading on the road. He graded and then raked and the road is nice and wide and free of the winter potholes and bumps. We are going to have to have some aggregate added to the road - especially the hill - but for now, enjoy!

This pesky rock needs to be dug out of the road (it resides at the top of the hill now) so Dennis oh so very nicely painted it so nobody would ruin the under carriage of their car by bottoming out on it.

Sights and Signs of Spring on Torsey (and a fishing link)

A few pictures of flora, fauna and water - it's nice to see colors other than snow and mud!

Believe it or not, she has already been diving off the dock for sticks! The water is beautiful and there seem to be a record number of loons on the lake this year. They are oh so chatty!

For those interested in fishing, Anita passed along a great link from the Weather Channel - it gives optimum fishing times for Torsey.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/fishing/10327:21

Happy Spring!

Spring on Torsey

No road condition update, no mud season talk, no pictures of the road - just a few pics I snapped while out at the end of last week - was hoping to put my kayak in the water...........
guess I'll have to wait a little while! Some breaks in the ice and the snow (thank heavens) is finally receding.

The same day this guy was flying overhead - in search of food no doubt - and slowed long enough to allow me to take his pic.

And this guy (look carefully - he blends in really well with the background) was sitting in my yard overlooking the bird feeders - the perfect spot to pick off some dinner!

Just Another Season in Maine

And of course, I'm talking about Mud Season.................need I say more? Pictures really do tell the whole story!

March Snowbank Wingback

Dennis Bruen (that most cheerful and smiling fellow in the BIG truck) was here this morning to wing back the snowbanks on the road. He did a great job - not only did he do the wingback, he sanded, too - the road looks like a superhighway! There may be a ton of snow left on the ground - but we can drive 2 wide on the road!!