Sunday -- March 7, 2010
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.1     Water Temperature: 41

I try to make it as clear as possible and let everyone know that the ferry is closed but inevitably, someone will come down and ring the bell. I posted a message on the web site and I left a recording on the answering machine but it doesn't seem to matter, they still come down and ring the bell. They will read the sign at the landing saying "HIGH WATER FERRY CLOSED" and they will still ring the bell. Then they ring it again, and again?

Here is the website to check the river level. If it reads five feet or above, the ferry is closed. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/uv/?site_no=01646500

If any of you have ever tried to pull the ferry across th eriver in five feet of water, with a steady wind coming down river, you would understand why we have to cut off ferry service.

I just saw my first bluebells of the season peeking through the soft ground!

Friday -- March 5, 2010
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.2     Water Temperature: 41

Ferry is still closed.

I saw the three does here again this morning. I can't figure out if they come and go at night or if they are really good at hiding themselves during the midday. I only see them in the early morning.

The geese were making a ruckus this morning, fighting over nesting ground. And right now, I can here the sound of the mourning dove outside my window, beginning its mating call. Ah, the signs and sounds of spring are coming up everywhere.

Thursday -- March 4, 2010
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.3     Water Temperature: 41

The river is above five feet and it looks like it will be this way for a while. I've almost forgotten what the bell sounds like, not good. This will be yet another Saturday when there won't be a need for a relief caretaker. I've lost track of when the club was last open on a Saturday but I think it was almost two months ago!

Monday -- March 1, 2010
Water Level at Little Falls: 5.0     Water Temperature: 41

Well that was a disgusting job. It isn't much fun bailing out an old canoe after the dirty flood water, slime and rotting leaves have been sitting in it for a month. The water in those swamped canoes finally returned to its liquid state and I was able to bail the boats and move them. It was a big job yanking all these boats out from the bottom rack of the canoe shed but I'm glad to get it done. I think I'll wait until all the snow pack is gone before I put them back.

I saw bluebirds today, five of them, and an eagle at the nest.

Here is a web site that tells you how much snow is in our watershed. Its a little scary. http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/nsa/index.html?year=2010&month=2&day=28&units=e®ion=Eastern_Coastal