For the first time in many years, my annual trip to Franconia Notch in New Hampshire, the White Mountains were actually white. The past few years as we round the bend toward Canon Mountain we have been greeted by shrubby faded yellow and brown grass on the slopes. 2012 was the warmest year on record and while 2013 might be warmer still it was nice to see that at least there was snow where there should be snow. Its an optimistic sight. 
