Charles Burchfield, Journals, March 10, 1963

March 10 – Sunday –

A sunny day, with scattered ochre yellow clouds on the deep blue sky – a fine snow at times.

Dinner at home – after a rest, we set out for Bennington [Bennington, NY in Wyoming County] to see the snow we have been hearing so much about.

The ride seemed routine until we got to Bennington (thaw and rain diminished the snow quite a lot).

But from Bennington we had a real “adventure” – The snow banked up above the road eight feet or more the strong west wind driving the fine powder-like snow over the road. Again, and again there would be zero visibility, and I had to almost stop – cars would appear suddenly right in front of us – We kept wondering whether to go on or turn around. Side roads were completely closed – Somehow, I had the irrational idea that if we could only get to Attica, all would be well (even though the prospect of spending the night there did not seem too attractive.)

As it turned out, when we did get to Attica our troubles were over – no drifting to speak of – We took 98 to Varysburg + then turned west on 20-A towards E. Aurora – It was driving westward on this road that the trip became worthwhile inasmuch as we were driving into the “teeth” of the wind, drifting was not a problem, as we went parallel to the streamers of snow – The whole effect was very beautiful – streamers of snow, incandescent with sunlight pouring over the sun-carved snow banks along the road – the road alive with ripples of snow – fields + little hills covered with “rivulets” of drifting snow overhead the wide arc of a fine sky, with its little yellow clouds, the brilliant sun flooding the earth – It was good to be alive!

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, March 10, 1963