How cold is it?

From Mt. Mansfield, just under the Forehead (3,940 ft) , looking west over the Champlain valley. Capt. Rich protects the lunch site... from what we never knew.....

Despite bare ground below 1,500', still 5' of snow on Mansfield upper elevation.

Butler Lodge rest stop. The snow-pack and ice glaze on the Wampahoofus and Maple Ridge loop made for fast going - no rocks to contend with.

Palmer's Sugarhouse, Shelburne. The boiler moved into a new barn this winter.

Palmer believes that Vermont sugar makers not only make syrup, they make tradition. The Palmers make syrup, make tradition, and make it fun. Just this year, Palmer built a pen for two of his goats and one sheep, giving easy access to interested children. Not expecting much to come of it, Palmer put a gumball machine full of corn out by the pen. The next day, he was shocked to find approximately $30 worth of quarters in the machine, not to mention a goat with indigestion.

Below, maple syrup cotton candy. This is absolutely the best cotton candy in the known universe.

NYC Trip. Taking photos of the most photographed building in NY. Flat Iron district, just north of 23rd. Upon completion in 1902 it was one of the tallest buildings in New York City. The building sits on a triangular island block at 23rd Street, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway, anchoring the south (downtown) end of Madison Square. In January 2009, an Italian real estate investment firm bought a majority stake in the Flatiron Building, with plans to turn it into a world-class luxury hotel, although the conversion may have to wait 10 years until the leases of the current tenants run out.

Mid town tunnel and all the pretty lights ;)

The reason for the trip: community meeting at the NYC District office.