Chittenden County Vermont Annual Real Estate Market Data and Trends from 2012

Chittenden County Vermont Year End Data 2012

Based upon information provided by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) for all of 2012, there were 1,604 single family residential and condominium units sold within Chittenden County Vermont (the towns comprising Chittenden County Vermont include these towns: Bolton, Buels Gore, Burlington, Charlotte, Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, Hinesburg, Huntington, Jericho, Milton, Richmond, Shelburne, South Burlington, St George, Underhill, Westford, Williston, Winooski) with a total sold volume of $454,916,899. Compare that number to a total of 1,342 single family residential and condominium units sold in 2011 with a total sold volume at $375,695,790. These numbers indicate an increase in the actual number of sales from 1,342 to 1,604 from 2011 to 2012 (an increase of 19.42%) and an increase in total sold volume of 21.08%. The average sale price was up in 2012. In 2012, the average sale price of a home in Chittenden County VT was $283,614.03 up from $279,952.15 in 2011 an increase of 1.30%.

Average days on the market  in 2012 was 101 compared to 99 in 2011 or an average increase of 1.39%.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Chittenden County Vermont, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.

(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in Chittenden County Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) which supplies these figures.)

Charlotte Vermont Annual Real Estate Market Data and Trends from 2012

Charlotte Vermont Year End Data 2012
Based upon information provided by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN for all of 2012, there were 77 single family residential and condominium units sold within Charlotte Vermont with a total sold volume of $21,012,360. Compare that number to a total of 90 single family residential and condominium units sold in 2011 with a total sold volume at $16,702,906. These numbers indicate a reduction in the actual number of sales from 90 to 77 from 2011 to 2012 (a decrease of 14.44%) but with an increase in total sold volume of 30.73%. The average sale price was up in 2012. In 2012, the average sale price of a home in Charlotte was $677,818.06 up from $535,763.53 an increase of 26.51%.
Average days on the market  in 2012 was 214 compared to 198 in 2011 or an average increase of 8.21%.
Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.
If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other property in Charlotte VT, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or by email at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com
As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments on Hurd’s The Word.
(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in Charlotte, Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN which supplies these figures.)

This Is No Bull...

Well okay... Actually it is!

I saw this monster while showing property in Charlotte, Vermont yesterday afternoon. We guessed he must've weighed 1,200 pounds. He was enormous and he had quite a set of vocal chords as he beckoned to all who would listen.

Ferdinand Lives!! And he's in Charlotte!

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont, please utilize my: Burlington Vermont Real Estate, give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, Vermont Real Estate buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local Vermont market.

Double Rainbow in Charlotte Vermont off Popple Dungeon

Yesterday, while showing property in Charlotte, squall after squall swept across Lake Champlain and through the meadows of West Charlotte. It was such drama and beauty. Mother Nature in a mood wrapped it up with a double rainbow over Holmes Road and Popple Dungeon!

A joyous sight!

If you are considering buying a home or condominium in or near Burlington Vermont Real Estate, please give me a call on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me to discuss representing you, our current market conditions and your needs/wants in a new home and community. I would be delighted to assist you.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

Charlotte Vermont Real Estate Annual Market Data & Trends for all of 2009

January 27th, 2009

Charlotte VT

Based upon information provided by the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors (NVBR) as of today for all of 2009, there were 29 single family residential and condominium units
sold within Charlotte Vermont
with a total sold volume of $19,493,197.

These numbers represent a 61.61% increase in the number of units sold from the same time period one year earlier (1/1/09-12/31/09). Divide this number by the units sold (29) and you get an average sale price of $672,179. These numbers represent a 10.84% decrease in the average sales price from the same time period one year earlier (1/1/09-12/31/09).

Average days on the market for these 29 properties was 137 compared to 106 one year earlier or 29.25% longer on the market.

If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home, condominium or other real estate in Charlotte, Vermont, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments here at Hurd's The Word

(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in all the towns which comprise Chittenden County, Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by Vermont Real Estate Information Network which supplies these figures.)

Free Home Energy Assessments Coming to Charlotte VT and Shelburne Vermont

January 22nd, 2010

Shelburne VT and Charlotte VT

The Vermont Community Energy Mobilization (VCEM) Project sponsored conjunction with the Charlotte VT Energy Committee, the Shelburne VT Energy Committee, Transition Town Charlotte and Transition Town Shelburne have ALL joined arms to provide free in home energy assessments. The goals of the project are to:

• Achieve quantifiable reductions in home energy use;


• Increase awareness and understanding by Vermonters of home energy savings opportunities and resources; and,


• Demonstrate that a community-based, volunteer program can be a successful model for achieving home energy savings and raising awareness of Vermonters on home energy savings.

Last night around 30 volunteer (of which I am one) residents of Charlotte and Shelburne met for an evening of training at the Charlotte VT Senior Center. Efficiency Vermont is providing all energy saving measures free of charge. Energy saving measures will include offering compact fluorescent lightbulbs (cfl's), low-flow showerheads, water aerators for faucets, electric hot water tank wraps and pipe insulation.

Efficiency Vermont trained the volunteers last night to assist homeowners in identifying whether their home's heating is inefficient.

Lastly, the visit will include a "kitchen table talk" about energy saving opportunities and resources - specifically about energy conservation behavior and explaining referrals to services that are currently available. Efficiency Vermont offers several incentive programs, appliance rebates, and low-interest financing for additional energy efficiency measures of which most Vermonters are unaware of these savings opportunities.

If you are interested in receiving this free energy assessment service (only 80 will be available initially for both town so contact us soon!) or have additional questions, please email Suzie Hodgson of Charlotte at suzyhodgson@gmavt.net or Judy Raven of Shelburne at ravenvt@msn.com so we can put you on our schedules. Assessments will begin in mid-February and continue through April.

If you are considering listing your home for sale or buying a home or condominium in Burlington, Shelburne or Charlotte, please give me a call or email me to discuss the market and your options. I would be delighted to assist you. I can be reached on my direct line at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com

As always, please feel free to post any thoughts and comments about downsizing right here on Hurd's The Word.

2009 Summer Fun List for Charlotte Vermont

The return of warm weather makes hangin' out on my front porch with its eye popping views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains dreamy. Lazing and pondering ALL that we have to fit in before the inevitable return of YOU KNOW WHAT...

Here we go with my biased and utterly incomplete Fun List of things to do in Charlotte VT this summer. Oh, this really is THE BEST time of year in this amazing little town:

• Wow, this little gem is worth the price of admission. Right now. Don't miss out! For the next two weeks, you have to see it to believe it. The firefly display in the meadows across from Mount Philo State Park is psychadelic. The southern 60 acre meadow at the intersection of State Park Road and Mt Philo Road is where the evening's silent fireworks display takes place. Imagine undulating waves of blinking lights acre after impossible acre. You won't regret it! (let your eyes adjust to the dark for 30 mins prior for the full affect)


• Breakfast sandwich at the Old Brick Store and a latte on the front porch catching up with familiar faces.


• Tennis at the town courts followed by a running plunge off the town docks into Lake Champlain


• Rick's Barbecue Shaved Pork Sandwich for lunch at the Little Garden Market


• Hanging on my front porch for no reason at all


• Uncle Sam's for your dose of burger, fries, shakes and, last but absolutely not least, a cremee


• Take your bike on the Charlotte to Essex NY ferry for a lovely ride and a meal on the NY side. Essex is alive and charming in the summer.


• Hike up Mt Philo for the best sunset hang out around


• Berry picking at the Charlotte Berry Farm


• Join one of Charlotte's CSA farms (Community Supported Agriculture) for yummy, healthy, local, organic vegetables all summer


• Pizza on a picnic table at Pizza on Earth on a warm, summer evening. Wonderful!!


• Bicycling Charlotte's roads. Sublime.

PLEASE add your own favorites to this list by placing your comments here at Hurd's The Word. If you have questions about buying a home or property, please call me at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or go to my website at Charlotte Vermont Real Estate.

Charlotte Vermont Annual Market Data & Trends for all of 2008

Based upon information provided by the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors (NVBR) as of today for all of 2008, there were 16 single family residential and condominium units sold within Charlotte Vermont with a total sold volume of $12,061,885. These numbers represent a 51.52% reduction in the number of units sold from the same time period one year earlier (1/1/07-12/31/07). Divide this number by the units sold (16) and you get an average sale price of $753,868. These numbers represent a 8.13% INCREASE in the average sales price from the same time period one year earlier (1/1/07-12/31/07).

Average days on the market for these 16 properties was 106 compared to 65 one year earlier or 63.08% longer on the market.

Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Charlotte Vermont Real Estate.

(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in all the towns which comprise Chittenden County, Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by Vermont Real Estate Information Network which supplies these figures.)

A New Life for an Old Friend in Charlotte Vermont

The Old Brick Store is being resurrected!

Charlotters can now rejoice at the current transformation of our cherished, historic store. New owners, Carrie MacKillop and Shannon Straight, encourage anyone to stop in to see all the goings on currently underway. The space is being opened up to maximize its natural beauty - the wood floors, the brick, the big windows.

The "new" Old Brick Store will be providing all the basic staples but they'll be offering products that are both conventional or organic and sustainable. The owners hope customers will want to be informed about their food sources and the degree to which their purchases can affect global and local economies. In essence, a store with a conscience.

In addition, the intent is not to be a gourmet grocery store, though there will be some more pricey items than at say our area grocery stores. Yet, the focus will be on simplicity. Fresh vegetables for a dinner salad, local beef, chicken or pork for dinner, fresh breads, a good wine selection, baking items. The intent is to have everything one needs to make dinner, bake cookies, make lunches, bring a meal over to share with friends well, you get the idea.

We can expect to find a full espresso bar, with latees, hot chocolate, chai and teas. Local Artisan coffees, an expanded and upgraded deli, a selection of prepared soups and meals, a penny candy counter and newspapers to include the New York Times once again when the store opens! How's all that sound? If that's not enough, pizza will be available beginning this Spring. Yea!

The owners want to encourage and provide a resource for local shoppers to remain close to Charlotte to find the goods they want and need.

The Old Brick Store is seeking community support as it approaches its mid-February Grand Opening. The new owners are building a "community supported enterprise" model to garner local affinity. Supporters can provide an investment of $500 to $1,000. Debit cards in the amount of the investment plus 10% are given back to each supporter. They can use their card for up to 10% each month of their original investment.The cards never expire and members never lose any of their balance, regardless of how long it takes to use up the card. The obvious intent here is to have local supporters actually use the store.

If you would like to become a supporter/member of the Old Brick Store or just to "pitch in", call 802.425.2421 or just stop in.

Good luck!

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Charlotte Vermont Real Estate.

Inward Toward Hearth and Home

Deep into November, the only color found exists in the sky at dusk. Sunsets, this time of year, and sunrises for that matter too can be just sensational. But do we notice in our hurried, frenetic holiday modes???

This year we all have a lot on our minds...

An historic election now yields to an upcoming historic inauguration for all of us to rejoice and celebrate. Hopes our nation will discover her unfolding new identity, resolve to tackle our personal and at-large challenges with unrelenting determination. We share all this as we collectively focus inward.

For those of us in Vermont, we turn inward from the cold weather and further inward still toward the warmth of hearth and home and end of year holidays. Inward toward those we love and those for whom we are grateful. Inward toward those that touch our lives in meaningful, special ways. Inward toward grateful appreciation for what we have, for our lot in life.

I want to thank my children and my family for their love, laughter and support and for the continual spirit of renewal within those relationships. I want to thank my loyal friends for our shared laughter and good memories. For your devotion when my chips were down when I was ill last March. I want to thank my clients for their business, loyalty, and for referring me to those they love and trust me to take care of. I want to thank my body for incredibly mending itself when it was put to the test.

Thanks to the stars and the fireflies, the summer outdoor concerts, dancing with my daughter, goofing with my son, thunder and lightning storms from my front porch, the power of healing, the power of love, the power of touch and the beauty of mother nature all around us when we slow down just enough to connect to her.

The stock market is what it is and all the rest. But for now, it is good to try and keep it simple. It is good, no it is great, to be grateful for all I have, for I have much.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving holiday! Travel safely. Love preparing meals with those that make you laugh and you care about. Be grateful. Lend your hands.

Peace!

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Charlotte Vermont Real Estate.

First Snows Arrive!! (Charlotte, Vermont)

It helps us adults feel like kids again when our children run into our bedrooms in the early morning light to tell you excitedly, "it's snowing hard outside!!!" There's something extra special about that when you live here in Vermont.

As I craned my neck to look out the window above my bed, I tried to gain the contrast of the background through my ocular fogginess to pick up the foreground flakiness. Scrolling in and out, I could indeed see snowflakes tumbling and flitting about. My daughter said, "Dad. It's really coming down out in front of the house!!" With a beaming smile, I vaulted out of bed and sprung to the stairs and looked out the front door panes, past the whitening front porch, down the front yard, out across the meadows into a backdrop that looked like a horizontal AND vertical cloud.

Winter is here.

If you place any stock in the Farmer's Almanac (and I do), then we're in for a cold and snowy one. It's a simple equation really. Vermont + Snow = Winter. Today's high temp supposed to be 31 degrees. Tonight lows of 14!

Yep. It's here alright and ahead of skedj.

Now, thoughts of snow tires (with studs this year) begin percolating along with ski passes, getting the parts needed for a$$%#@! whuppin' sledding (last year took its toll on the hardware), a warm fire to sit beside, hot chocolate with freshly made whipped cream, and preparing the outdoor hot tub all come to mind again (ahhhhhhh...).

And yeeeees (lest I give you an imbalanced perspective), so does shoveling. May even have to break down this year and have a guy plow my driveway instead of me dancing with my Toro. Maybe?! Haven't yet committed one way or the other. I still love that ole' girl though. Not sure if I want to give her up just yet.

Let's see...Christmas is coming. Definitely need an upgraded set of YakTraks for my boots. Gotta put that high on the list. That would be a great Christmas present! (that is if I can wait that long...) Time to break out the scarves and nuclear (have we all figured out how to pronounce this word yet) warm coats.

Moments ago, before I sat down to write, I stepped into my kitchen and was filled with sudden, spectacular joy! The east wall and a half of cabinets I replaced last summer with windows is flooding light all around. Even with today's cloudiness, the ambient reflection off newly fallen snow on the ground brightens the place up exponentially. It'll make mornings in the kitchen with the sunny view up Mount Philo a true blessing. I love that.

Hmmmmm. Here's a warm thought. Can I get to an island or a beach this winter??? Any beach!? Okay, okay I said it!!!!!! I said it!! Am I a traitor? Oh my! Please let me wistfully digress with this dreamy song...click the following link and crank it up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciFesab7OYA (btw that was not MY blinking house just in case you were wondering...) Goodness! Back to reality!

YES, INDEED. She's here almost five weeks ahead of her official day.

Ready or not, here she comes...

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington Vermont Real Estate.

Summer of 2008 Storm Photographs of Lake Champlain in Charlotte Vermont

What an amazing summer for storms! Sometimes 4 and 5 in a day. Some would come from across Lake Champlain from the west. Some from the south. Some from the northwest. The drama was spectacular as it unfolded from my porch beside Mount Philo State Park with its pastoral westerly views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Let's not forget the spectacular lightning display of a week ago. It even brought my teenage son with his three friends out from behind their video game, "Call of Duty", to witness the awesome power. How's that for jaded 16 year old boys?Record rainfall. Record lake levels. Thunderstorm watches and warnings it seemed everyday for a month. Our states' moniker, The Green Mountain State, earned its deserved reputation this summer. All the different greens reminded me of that great Johnny Cash tune, "40 Shades of Green." If you haven't heard it here you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0oTDS9ur_U

We are in the tail end of summer now. My daughter started high school today. Heavens. Onward we go.I'm hoping September and October are the longest stretch of Indian Summer weather in Vermont's history! And I'm betting there's another 650,000 people who would agree with me.If you have your own summer storm stories, please share them and post them here.

Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington Vermont Real Estate.

Top Ten List for Charlotte VT

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Shelburne VT throughout the year:

10. Walking my dog up Mt Philo,

9. Swimming/Tennis/Sunsets at the Charlotte Vermont Beach,

8. Charlotte Land Trust/Open Spaces,,

7. Charlotte Central School,

6. Launching out of Point Bay Marina en routh to Basin Harbor or Whallon's Bay,

5. A "Charlotter", cup of coffee with half & half and sugar, and the newspaper hanging out on the
porch of The Old Brick Store,

4. Sledding down Mt Philo,

3. Views anytime atop Mt Philo,

2. Cycling Charlotte VT back roads,

1. Views from my front porch!

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Praise for the Charlotte Vermont Land Trust

Christmas has come early this year. I was rejoicing reading the Free Press this morning about the successful efforts of the Charlotte Land Trust to preserve 40 acres of open land west of Mount Philo, near State Park Road. A three year effort has paid off and I would like to express my deep gratitude to all who had a hand in making this preservation of important land a reality.

The Charlotte Land Trust recognized two main purposes for conserving this land. The first was for the property's prime agricultural value and the second was for preserving expansive westerly viewsheds from atop Mount Philo.

Who among us hasn't rejoiced in those spectacular views earned with only a short (30 min) hike to the top of Mount Philo to view the beauty of our Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain, The heart of the Adirondack Mountains, westerly sunsets that are superlative, walking with loved ones and our dogs, watching the bi-annual migration of Canadian Geese, Snow Geese, or Peregrine Falcons in jackknifed dive into the now preserved meadows in search of a meal.

Yes. It feels like Christmas Day allright!

Charlotte residents contribute to the conservation funds each year through 2 cents of the tax rate. This was authorized by the voters in 1996 and re-ratified again in 2006. Every ten years a revote must occur to reapprove the allocation of resources. In excess of a dozen properties have been conserved with help from this fund.

If you would like to make a contribution to the fund, you may do so by writing to the Charlotte Land Trust at P.O Box 43 Charlotte VT 05445. Their website is at present under construction at http://www.charlottelandtrust.org/

As always, if you would like to add your comments here at Hurd's The Word, please feel free to do so or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

The Mother of All Sledding Hills - Charlotte VT

Can we possibly be any luckier than we are?

Living in the shadow of mighty Mount Philo, we don't even have to get into our car to reach the mother of all sledding hills.

For those of you looking for the best sledding on the planet, look no further! When our glorious state park, which has won awards as Vermont's best in past years, closes its gate after the last leaves have fallen, those in the know start getting really, really itchy. There's a buzz in our house.

Questions begin their annual percolation. Past year's memorable runs generate laughter and anticipation... Will we have a great snowy year? When will it snow? Remember last year, when I passed you like you were standing still? How 'bout the air off the crazy jump? When can we

SCREAM on our first run of the season down the closed road?

God Almighty, that first run of the year is always premo!!!

EVERYTHING about this run tops the classic category. About a mile of uninterrupted bombing down on your tummy, knees, or your bum. 2 hairpins, two steep sections (one on the upper third and the second on the lower third), sensational views on the walk up, on top and at the bottom when you roll off your sled in utter ecstatic hysteria!

To get it better than this you'd have to take the 1 mile bobsled at The Olympic Center in Lake Placid for over a hundred bucks and sign a slew of liability waivers.

Hey. On Mount Philo, it's ALL FREE.

The range of sleds is vast. Mad River Rockets, Hammerheads (our choice!), Trays, and all sorts of crazy derivations in between. Anything fit to get you down, in mostly one piece.

All this thinking, writing and describing has me cooked up in a frenzy.

Look.

I gotta go. Gonna grab my son and daughter and have today's death slalom duel.

If you hear us yelling, kindly get out of our way

If you have any great sledding stories on Mount Philo to share, please post a comment here at Hurd's The Word or if you know of any great hills absolutely post them here!

The Driveway From Hell

Let's face it. My driveway in Charlotte Vermont was not designed by the Army Corps of Engineers (hmmmm or maybe it WAS...). Winter poses its challenges turning fancy schmancy SUV's into helpless sleds. In my third winter, I've learned a few tricks. But last night, our driveway claimed her first casualty of the ‘07-'08 campaign.

I've known since winter one I must clear the driveway of snow early each morning in the hopes of catching the late day sun's warmth from our western exposure. Works like a charm really. When mother nature cooperates, that is.

Goes like this. Snowblow driveway. Sun melts snow. Spotless driveway! Simple. That's nice! Seems easy. Right?

It's not @#%$!!*&*^%#@!!!.

We lost our first head to head battle last night.

What seemed an innocuous snowfall of 2 wet inches the night before, I mistakenly cleared the driveway by 14:00. Gambled the sun would do my work for me. But by 13:00 (using military nomenclature seems called for here), I could see progress was not being made. Cloud cover and temps just below the freezing mark were foiling The Master Plan. I realized I had to get out there and in a hurry as my son was breaking in our new rec room with hordes of friends later that evening. That meant cars coming over. Big heavy cars that slide fast. Arrrggggggggggh.

Clouds in the western sky cast an ominous pall preventing the necessary drying. My laissez-faire ‘tude was lookin' mighty lame.

As night fell, all was quiet outside. Inside, amidst the din of my son's friends urging on the Patriots, My friend, Jeff, visiting from Fairfax - that's Fairfax Vermont - decided to head home. There was still 5 mins. on the clock so we said hurried goodbyes.

Suddenly, he reappeared looking grim. As he told it, he descended the blocktop. Realized he was in helpless, unstoppable decline down our slippery slope. You know that feeling. You do. Touch the brakes and they're worthless. Antilock, anti skid, four wheel this, Haakapelita's that.

Fagedaboudit!!!

As he slid off the right shoulder accelerating headed toward the perilous dog leg to the left (a notorious graveyard site for many a snazzy car last winter), Jeff realized he was hopelessly aimed dead on the Bullseye of my sleeping Bug convertible quietly parked for the winter at her resting spot at mid driveway at the landing. Pulsing his brakes. Nothing. We all know the sweaty palms feeling and panic that grips us in such moments...

In what must've seemed like an eternity to Jeff , his gas guzzling behemoth SUV stopped in its jack-knifed position within a few feet of the still sleeping and as yet unscathed Bug.

We dug him out as we've done for so many others. (Please let's not recount last year's calamitous Valentine's Day Blizzard driveway carnage AGAIN. Three cars including one state trooper who wishes she had gotten her address right and one tractor plus one of our cars jammed in at the bottom of the driveway.) Last year's names read like a veritable who's who. Jeff, Allie, Celia, Chris, Sam, the Statey (never got her name or her dogs'), and another Chris. And there were others for sure the names escaping me. You know who you are.

I need to adjust strategy now. Another fine tuning is in order. Jeff suggested laughing as he whisked away..."how 'bout a 50 gallon drum filled with sand."

Hey good news. The sun's out at 9:51. We'll be able to get out of here shortly.

In the meantime, I think I'll go out the door and have a slide down the driveway on my boots, Just For Kicks!, before this latest installment melts into memory. I love that magnet on my fridge door which says, "Barn burnt down. Now, I can see the moon."

Stay tuned. Winter's just getting started...

Update...Bulletin...Breaking News!!!

It didn't take long...

01/01.08 4:30 pm - Sixteen and a half hours into the ‘08, Tracy T pulled a spectacular Starsky & Hutch move just above the dog leg left. 4 people shovelling like mad and some crafty driving and his SUV was free at last from The Driveway of No Mercy!