Long strange winter

What a strange winter it's been! It's been so mild in the north with little snow - especially after last year! - and really no major winter storms.

There have been lots of stories about how bad this winter has been for ski resorts and other businesses that depend on winter but the mild winter in the north affects our business as well. I'm certainly not saying we're devastated like some of the ski areas; overall we're having a good season. But there are things we're noticing.

There is nothing like a good winter storm battering the Northeast to send snowbirds flocking south to warmer climes, including here. And once those storms clear the coast and head out into the Atlantic, they generate waves that draw surfers. There hasn't been one of those storms - yet. So surf has been small. The forecasts are calling for a little bump tomorrow and then a bigger swell Sunday into Monday. We'll see.

A series of low-pressure fronts marching across us one after the other has led to a flat, chilly, cloudy, windy winter so far. Last year was the driest winter with nearly three months without rain. This year it has rained a little almost every day.

Not everyone is complaining though. The kite surfers and windsurfers are having a great time with sometimes a dozen or more kiters enjoying the ride at Shacks.