We heard a rumor that the lakes around here had frozen. Frozen all the way across. It was totally believable since the temperature hasn't been above 32*f/0*c for many weeks now. At first my reaction was... ok soo... doesn't this happen every year around here.
Apparently while the lakes do freeze over here all the time, they don't always freeze over... CLEAR. As in you can walk across the lake and look down at the bottom of the lake.
I'm not sure if I'm in awe or a little freaked out. And truthfully about both, walking across a frozen lake and looking at the bottom while doing it.
Duncan had an opportunity to be in town and went to see this phenomenon. He was in awe.
He and his friend were sliding all over and amazed by the lake.
It was even featured in the local 'paper'. (it's online)
Photo Credit to Dave Bell of the Local Online Paper
Better go check out such an awe inspiring event when it occurs locally.
So, while friends were here, we went adventuring.
However in the week between when Duncan saw the lake as the local paper showed it and when we arrived....
well...
it snowed.
In some ways I think it was less intimidating for me since it was covered in snow.
Just a tiny bit though.
We'd brought ice skates to test out the ice.
So... obviously the first thing to do is to clear an ice skating arena.
Using resources at our disposal.... we attempted to sweep the powdery snow off an area... by holding Emerson's arms and using him as the plow. Everyone got down and tried snow angels and sliding with their arms and legs open wide. It was going to be quite a process.
We looked around for anything that might be useful at clearing the snow.
Low and behold at the boat dock, there was one paddle and a broom in the hollow of the metal pilings by the pier.
The new implements were far more effective at clearing the snow.
The ice was black... but clear.... so hard to describe the incredible sight and to try to wrap our heads around the massive scale of the enormous lake being frozen solid.
I encouraged keeping the skating area near the shoreline....
After a while... clearing the snow from a large area was less appealing and instead a skating track was devised. With figure 8 patterns and circles; it was grand.
Then the skaters went rogue. They had discovered that although clearing the ice allowed us a cool glance at the ice... they could actually just skate through the powdery snow atop the ice. They took off. I held my breath... and called out, "How about coming back... closer to shore!" It would have been more encouraging if there had been signs posted regarding the safety of the icy lake... or perhaps pylons to let us know where it was thick enough for skating... or if there had been even one other soul out on the lake... maybe ice fishing... but no, not another person. We were the only ones on the vast icy lake.
I was relieved to have them turn and return to Emerson and I. We hadn't brought skates and stayed with out skating course... sliding around. It was a really incredible experience but there was a definite element of anxiety with it as well.
The band of brave icy lake skaters.
The sun was setting and the temperature was dropping so it was time to head back to shore... and then home. (And probably some more hot cocoa)
About twenty feet from the shore we noticed a series of rocks covered in thick ice. It was rather reassuring to see how thick the ice above the rocks was after having walked all over the lake. Perhaps I wouldn't have been as anxious if I had noticed the thick ice on our way on, instead of on the way off of, the lake.
I suppose these rocks were also there in the summer...
Yes... the rocks have always been there.
Such a difference.
And then...
Duncan flipped the ice from the rock over. Instantly we knew it was an ice throne.
It was there for a photo shoot.
So we complied.
Strike a pose. "I'm ready for my close up."
Just chillin'
"This is great... but it would be better with snacks."
Such dramatic poses... An Ice Queen?
Perhaps a larger ice chair would be more comfortable...
P.S. I was also there... not just a camera taking photos!
