On the darkest day of the year, I have to admit that I have gone South.

Sat., Dec. 22, 2007, 1:08 A.M. EST (06:08 UT), marks the solstice—the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

I am now almost midway between Boston and the equator in Naples Florida, visiting my parents for Christmas. Quite a contrast in weather and sunlight. 40 degrees warmer, almost two hours more sunlight and NO SNOW!

Boston, Massachusetts latitude N42.3, daylight 7:10am-4:15pm
Naples, Florida latitude N26.1, daylight 7:11am-5:41pm

Below are pictures I took yesterday, back in the frozen Northland where snow seemed to fall all of December. I bet its 2 feet deep in our yard.