Will Punxy Phil see his shadow today on Groundhog Day 2023? You may recall, we visited Punxsutawney when we were in Pennsylvania in December. Since we sniffed around where that critter hangs out to forecast the weather, we will be glued to the TV today to watch for Phil. I’ll be wearing my Punxsutawney Groundhog t-shirt in honor of the occasion.
It is amazing they let you go up on stage that is on TV and sniff around as much as you want. I was hoping to find that varmint and get a taste, but he was not in his log where he belongs. He definitely left a scent trail, though.
Because it was a walk and quite icy, I am the only one Mom took up on stage. Madison stopped at the main entrance to the amphitheater where the event is held.
Nelson checked out the gates at the entrance to Gobbler’s Knob. for us.
In case you don’t know the story behind Groundhog Day, you can take a read to update your memory. We had no idea it is an old tradition started by Germans. Now we know. Funny we celebrate this tradition but the Germans don’t. Shouldn’t Phil really be living in Germany? I am a bit confused on this point.
Here I am on the big stage. I can’t wait to see it on the TV today! I can say my paws have walked that stage! We are all thankful we get to travel around and see famous places like this. One thing is for sure, it was deserted when we were there and that was great. We would not want to be there in the crowds today! Hopefully he will see his shadow as we would love more winter at our house.
That is my report from the weather capital of the world. Phil, you can come out now and show us what you know about the weather! If anyone wants more information on this whole Groundhog thing, the sign above may be of help.
My GBGV Life is joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
We think that Phil will see his shadow and hurry back inside his stump home.
I’m really excited to see him since I have been there now. We have our paws crossed for more winter.
we hope Phil will… we are sick of this awful weather… please say spring comes soon.
We are thrilled because he is a smart guy, he is giving us our six more weeks of winter! Let it snow!
Hey, thanks for sharing the story: we had no idea of the “back story” and the photos are adorable (t-shirt in particular). Now, best turn on the news and see what happened at 7:12 a.m./sunrise today …
We watched and we are getting more winter which is our wish. Phil is a smart guy!
It’s a cute celebration; and groundhogs are a bit cute; and here on the Pacific side we could use 6 more weeks of winter.
We are all getting it according to Phil.
Today winter has returned to NC and it will be cold (FOR us) thru the weekend. Wednesday of next week spring returns with mid 60’s.
Hugs cecilia
We never thought about it, but you are in NC and we are going to NC next week. Mom checked the weather and it looks pretty good for the weekend of the 10-12th. We are all looking forward to our trip.
I think you could do a better job predicting the weather than Phil.
But Phil has a reputation. We just open the door, go out, and then we know what it is.
It really is super cool that you got to see the crazy groundhog homestead, that had to be a fun time. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
It was fun seeing all the people there and up on the stage. We were the only ones at the entire place the day we visited.
Yay for you! Phil says 6 more weeks of winter! On the downside he is only correct 40% of the time. It does not really matter here in Florida. XOXO, Sparkle
That means we have a 60% chance of more winter which is our wish 🙂
Um, it’s ALWAYS 6 more weeks til Spring if people would check their calendar 😉
Shhh…Phil will lose his job!
This is celebrated in many parts of Europe, but with different animals. They chose groundhogs in North America because there were plenty of them.
Yes, on the calendar, spring arrives in six weeks. In terms of actual weather, you can get winter weather well into April, or mild, spring-like weather as early as the end of February. People from previous centuries to whom weather mattered so much, farmers and people who had to chop wood for heating their homes, had many such “weather prognostications” superstitions in attempts to figure out when to plant and how much wood to lay in.
Thus they started believing if the weather is bright and sunny today, winter type weather is not done and it will last well into the time when spring usually, well, springs. If today is cloudy and rainy or snowy, winter is “spending itself out” and milder temps will prevail earlier.
Also, it only works for the area you live in, he can’t predict for the whole country. It’s astounding how they’ve parlayed an ancient superstition into a major industry for their town, and good for them succeeding at it.
Anyway, Happy Groundhog Day!
We know it is all just for fun and for that town, it is a huge money maker and tourist draw, but we have fun with it, especially having been there and seen it recently.
Feb 2 is also Candlemas Day.The old saying was “Half your wood and half your hay/You must have by Canlemas Day.”
I have not heard that saying for probably 65 or more years! Thanks for the memories! Always liked ground hogs=woodchucks!
Oh dear, we don’t have any wood or hay.
i bet that was lots of fun. too bad you could not use the spot as a training tool, i bet there were lots of things to sniff.
It was in the woods, so lots of good smells. The problem was that it was really icy, so we had to be really careful there.
It is pretty cool that you went to see where Punxy Phil did his show, we watched him on TV and You were there! We are impressed. Purrs Marvelous Marv
We can’t imagine it with all those people. No one but us was there the day we visited.