I stood, shivering despite my warm jacket, hat and mitts, heavy winter boots to my knees, on the front step of the lodge and inhaled the crisp, winter air while the line of guests exited the

foyer and headed for the parking lot. The plows rumbled by, clearing another strip of snow from the main road, pushing back the last of the heavy whiteness and letting us leave at last.

Daylight never felt so good and despite the crispness of the air the sun warmed my ...