The last morning we were in western PA, we woke to freshly fallen snow, and as I drank a cup of coffee and gazed out the windows at the sight before me, I couldn’t help but wish that I could stay. The week had been relaxing, fun, and energizing. I even said (out loud), “I could stay another day or two. After all, I don’t need to be back in the office for another three days.” Reluctantly, I got up and finished packing my suitcase. We drove to the airport in near silence. Everyone was rethinking all we had seen—the meals we had shared and the photos that we had taken with our hearts.

Later, at the Pittsburg airport, I watched a parade of snow plows race down a nearby runway and listened to the person next to me talk about the “major snow storm” that was bearing down on the part of the state where I had vacationed. “Maybe, it is best that I’m leaving,” I mused.

Then yesterday, I received an email from the friends that had journeyed with me around Lake Erie saying they had not been able to venture out of their home since I left due to the amount of snow that had fallen. “It is a good thing you came when you did and left, ” they said. “Otherwise, we would have been stuck.

“Stuck,”  I wondered . . . “Stuck in Vermilion or Fairport, or maybe some place overlooking the Allegheny River?” . . . .  No, I really don’t think we would have been stuck at all.

If you have read even one of Jan Karon’s novels about life in the small town of Mitford, you will understand that when I spotted this church, I expected the door to open and Father Tim to step out beckoning me inside for a cup of hot tea and an Irish biscuit.

By the time we reached the Conneaut lighthouse, which is located on the shore of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio, we were braving very cold weather and some light sleet. Still, I made a dumb comment: “The weather up here is wimpy,” I said, “And I really don’t think it is going to snow at all.” The only sound I heard in reply was sort of a “uhh” with a smile added. It is the kind of reply that makes you feel very foolish. The next morning we woke to several inches of snow, icy temperatures, and a forecast that promised more of the same. I was really grateful we were not still trekking around Lake Erie. Instead we were in a warm and cozy home (thanks to newly unwrapped plush cover-ups). And we didn’t venture outside until it was time to meet friends for lunch at 1 o’ clock.

I traveled back to Atlanta at the end of last week but as far as I can tell from watching the Weather Channel, it is still snowing where my friends live! Later this week, the forecast for northeast Georgia includes a light dusting of snow . . . now that is pretty wimpy, don’t you agree?

A comment made by a friend really caught my attention. She said, “I think every bridge that crosses this river is like this one—made of steel.” I just had to get out and take a photo. As I stepped out of the car, I said, “If I have to walk in deep snow, I’m not going to photograph it.” Well, forget that . . . because even though the snow was up to my knees, I could not resist recording this scene. It is so American! The French Creek is located in western PA and is a tributary to the Allegheny River. But the word “creek” is a misnomer and most locals agree and call it The French River. I have to confess that if this is a creek, then all we have in Georgia are trickles.

Another view of the icy French Creek (River) as it speeds along toward the Allegheny River.

There are two lighthouses at Fairport Harbor. This little lighthouse sits at the opening of Fairport Harbor, which is located on the coast of Lake Erie in Ohio. We had to walk nearly a mile to see it. Once we reached it, we could stay only a few minutes because the wind was so brutal and the temperature so cold. Still it was worth the venture. On the way back we passed duck hunters on the bay side. The season for duck hunting began the day after Christmas and I saw several gun toting hunters while I was traveling around Lake Erie.

Notice the lighthouse in the distance. These dunes were especially wild and lovely. I could have stayed in this spot for a long time. It was almost calm—unlike the beach a few yards away which was being swept with storm-driven waves.

Here is the second lighthouse and the older of the two. Because of power lines and cars and other distractions, I could not back up to get a good shot and did I also mention that it was raw and cold? A few minutes outside in this weather was too much for someone from the south. But I have to admit that I would do it all over again. The areas we visited were charming and the people were so nice.