Polar Bear Plunge

What is a Polar Bear Plunge?  The first recorded one took place in Boston in 1904.  It occurs in many Canadian communities each year generally as a New Year's tradition.  It has become an international activity branching out into fundraising events and is sometimes even toted as a healthful cold water plunging therapy for athletes.  

All that aside, this year, we introduced the little boys to the idea of a polar bear plunge.  I suppose technically their Canadian cousins introduced them.  If it wasn't for the 2020/Covid 19 they may not have been as familiar with their cousins and subsequently with the idea of a Polar Bear Plunge.   

It was New Year's Day and mid-day this video came in on the family group chat.

All the Karlsson's took their plunge also.

We watched the videos and then the conversation from the boys of why?  What are they doing?  and then... Can we?

To which I replied... "Why would you want to???  Besides all the water around here for at least 100 miles is all frozen solid.  No. can. do.  The best we could do would be to go jump in a snowbank."

And then... we posted that Duncan was going to go do snow angels in the snow bank.  He had said no such thing but .... he's a good sport. 

So...  Emerson and Whittaker joined him and out they went.

Into the snow drifts they went.  

Whittaker standing in the cold and watching had a change of heart and decided snow angels were not for him...  He says in the video, "I don't want to."  So we said .. Okay, that's fine.  But minutes later he said, "If I don't have to take my shoes off I could do it."... 

Reassured that he could do it or not do it... Do it with his shoes on or off... It was his call... off he went.  I almost didn't have my camera ready.  

Of course his shoes filled with snow and fell off so he ended up doing it with them on and with them off.  

Then....

erghhh... those children..... "What about you Mummy?" 

So, wearing Patrick's swimsuit and a t-shirt since my swimsuit is packed in storage somewhere with other SUMMER clothing, I headed out.  It wasn't a delightful experience.  Oh so cold... 

Ava went a few more times... Eden a month later went again and Duncan and Caleb did also.  

I say... been there, done that!

Frozen Lake Play

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!

Isolation

 

This is posted at our tiny post office.  

Are they advertising so more people will come visit?

Encouraging people to stay away?

Bragging, that life hasn't really needed to change among the pandemic?

I think it's the last... bragging.

Life all summer was exactly as it would have been pretty much any summer here.  I tried desperately to coax a few plants to grow.  (These 'giant' sunflowers grew to 3' tall!)  Patrick worked tirelessly on this summer's projects.. (just building a house)  And the boys entertained themselves.   Tennis without boundaries.  It's a cross between tennis, baseball and hide and seek for the ball in the tall grass.

It morphed into big boys play tennis and little boys play badminton with the same net... at the same time.   That even morphed and included Patrick.  

"If you can hit the tennis ball into the gap in the partially completed roof and have it roll into the new addition on the other side of the house, I will make an Orange Julius for everyone."

I made quite a few 'Julius's' this summer.  "If you hit daddy... run!"

Our breaks for rest and relaxation among our building this summer were little breaths of fresh air... except the air wasn't fresh.. it was smoky haze.. they were welcome bits of respite.  Between trampoline games, bike rides, tennis/badminton play and flying kites we managed to build a big chunk of house and continue to do our schoolwork.  

So I suppose our life is the social distancing life. We just thought it was the quiet, rural, simple life.  Either way we just carry on... Now winter is upon us.  No more kites, and tennis... we'll switch out our sandals for winter boots and snow suits and discover new methods of respite among our projects and daily tasks. 

Canoedling

 We learned that the church had a bunch of canoes that were available to check out.  So... we did.  The day for canoeing approached.  The weather was cooperative.  The lake wasn't crowded.  The road leading to the beach area... was less than pleasant... potholes and boulders and narrow turns... we were pleased to arrive at the beach!

The masked canoers... a menacing looking crew.  So much so, that the few people on the beach left after we arrived.  (We did come during the early evening while most others spend the day at the beach and tend to leave around evening.)

Thankfully, everyone left, so we unmasked and enjoyed a few hours of leisure time at the lake. 

We split up into logical groups.  Duncan and Derek manned their canoe.  Channa, Jim and Whittaker took the next, Patrick Emerson and I in the last.  

We all had our own unique adventures. Duncan and Derek were overly adventurous.  They saw the narrow area at the FAR side of the lake that led to another section of secluded lake.  They immediately and quickly began paddling that way.  Patrick and I spent a little time teaching Emerson to paddle in sync with my paddle.  Once we realized that Duncan and Derek were planning to cross the entire lake, we paddled like mad to catch up to them and change their plans..  Instead we convinced them to paddle around the lake near the shore.  For a first canoeing we didn't want to get to the middle of the lake and find ourselves exhausted and having to paddle against the wind to return.  The wind once we left the seclusion of the little bay was difficult to paddle against.  

We went around the first point and found ourselves in another bay.  Duncan and Derek discovered a rock sticking out of the water (mini island?) and paddled over to check it out.  Emerson announced that he needed to potty.  We spotted an outhouse in the campgrounds near the shore so we paddled to shore.  Patrick discovered that our boat had a small leak.  Thankfully he out weighed Emerson and I so the water stayed in his end.  

We began to wonder what had become of the third canoe.  We thought they would have followed us.  However as they paddled out of the gentle bay, they also discovered the strong winds.  It blew the hat right off of Jim's head.  Whittaker cried out.  "That's Duncan's favourite hat!"  Their adventure included the rescue of the hat before it sunk to the bottom of the lake.  Jim said that had it continued to sink despite their efforts to get it with the paddles he had been willing to jump overboard and go after it!  (Just a hat... and not necessarily a favourite just because Whittaker deemed it so!) They paddled about for a bit and then returned to shore.  Jim snoozed in the grass and Whittaker explored the water's edge until we all returned

After our potty break we returned to the beach (against the wind).  Grateful we hadn't adventured much further we beached the canoes.  The boys joined Whittaker in some swimming and exploring.

Little boys tried to keep up with big boys as they explored the rock formations and the pools of water.

After 'relaxing', the big boys had enough energy to venture out again.  This time they had a plan.  Duncan boasted that he knew how to right a capsized canoe.  We suggested not capsizing.  Instead they decided to practice climbing back into the canoe from in the water.  

They practiced a few times near the shore then headed out a bit deeper to try it again.

Meanwhile, the little boys convinced Channa to explore with them.  Apparently the rock formation created a small shallow pool of water they were referring to as the 'hot tub'.  

Channa and I were keeping an eye on the big adventure boys

Soon we were all captivated by the adventure boys.  They had paddled out deeper and jumped in.  Duncan then climbed back in.  The wind we referred to earlier was still blowing and they were being blown further and further away. So Derek, now in the water was getting further and further from the canoe.  Duncan paddled closer and Derek once again held on.  The attempts to climb in were exhausting for us on the shore to watch... and must have been more so for Derek.  Duncan hopped out again to try to hold the canoe steadier for him.  This went on for another 15 minutes.  Duncan hopping in and out and trying different options... and then... SUCCESS.  Both boys were in the canoe. 

The canoe that was now much further out.  They had to paddle back against the wind.  

Adventure boys slept well that night.

A canoe day at the lake was delightful.  We will certainly go again.  We will also find a better road. 

Take a Gander at that!

 

Part of the renovation required that a few bushes needed to be moved.  While we had the backhoe seemed the best time to move them.  

Bushes and trees are not something I'm willing to waste.  So.  We transplanted them.  

We opted to plant them around the goose pond.

While we were transplanting them, we decided that the geese would like an expanded and deeper pond. 

Instead of the two weeks of digging by shovel that it took Duncan last year, it was twenty  minutes by backhoe.  

Now it is a daily task to keep the bushes alive.  This first year after transplanting is crucial to their survival.

The new and expanded pond was refilled and the boys decided to enjoy it before the geese soiled it.

It may have been a good idea to keep the geese in the corral until the boys were through.  

The boys didn't seem to mind though.

In fact they all seemed to enjoy their water play.

I believe it's because the bushes added a delightful and irresistible ambiance to the pond.

The geese gave their inspection and seal of approval on the pond and left in search of a snack.

The boys lingered in the pond.

Boring Birthday Sunday

Since we are still out to prove to Whittaker that Sundays are NOT boring.  We planned another picnic.  It also served as a lovely restful outing while Caleb was visiting.  The day before his birthday we called it a birthday outing.  It has been nice to get out and relax since our weeks have been extremely packed with WORK.  The construction is moving along but it's taking every spare minute.  We have also not really explored this place we live much and we know that millions visit here yearly so there must be great appeal.  And there are plenty of visitors even now in the summer of Covid.

It was noon and the weather was beautiful.  We had made our BLT's, and had grapes and watermelon.  We didn't intend to do anymore than find a quiet secluded spot near the lake to enjoy our picnic.  I grabbed a big blanket  in case we found a less than amenable seating area.

Duncan drove us to the lake area and we began looking for a suitable location to park and have our picnic.  We drove... and drove.. We saw lots of delightful locations near the lake, some with picnic tables even.. but they were all in use.  Some were even crowded.  We kept driving.  We came across the camping loops by the lake.  Each campsite had picnic tables so we thought we'd look for one with a view of the lake that was empty.  Easier planned than executed.  We had to explore three different campsite loops before we found our spot.  We had a lake glimpse from a higher vantage than we intended but it worked.  

We picnicked and then cleaned up.  The boys began a bit of exploring and soon we heard delighted cries of 'there's a trail'.  

We began to follow their voices and noticed that there was a private little beach way down below.  We wondered aloud how a person could enjoy such a delightful secluded beach. 

Then we saw...

Just keep following the path that zigzagged all the way down the steep slope and then.. 

SPLASH!

At first I wondered if someone had fallen in.

Not knowing the depth of the water, if there had been a steeper section of slope and they'd slid or who was in the water, I began to hurry along the trail.  I hadn't fully decided if I was going to hike with them or not but after the splashing noises I needed to know that all was well.  Passing the large bush I discovered that it wasn't just one splash.  The water wasn't deep near the shore and the large rock just beckoned to be jumped off of.  

Next I began to think of four wet boys having to hike back up and travel the 45 minutes home again.  Swimming hadn't been part of our intentions.  Then I discovered their cleverness.  Jim was still wearing his p.j. pants under his jeans, so he swam in p.j.'s and the boys proclaimed boxer briefs as acceptable swimming attire.  

Once down we didn't relish the idea of climbing back up so I sat in the shade and enjoyed watching the silliness and impromptu beach time unfold.  

The log poking out of the water that looked like an alligator.

The rocks stacked up like the beginnings of a stone 'snowman'.

Pat and Caleb having fun rock skipping.. and some plain rock splashing tosses.

A frog joined us and the little boys played with him quite a while even after I reminded Emerson that he'd just managed to be rid of his wart.  They all reminded me that he didn't get a wart from holding a frog.  Some canoers paddled by and we watched them.  Some swimming and then time to dress in the willow bush changing rooms.  Emerson didn't get the memo about wearing your pants and carrying the wet underwear, but he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders and started looking for the frog again. 

There were a few 'lovely' rocks found also.

I adamantly insisted that the frogs stayed!  Also, any rocks had to be carried so I strongly discouraged it.  Fortunately Daddy kindly carried the large wishing rock, complete with 5 white rings around it!, up the steep trail back to the car.  

Whittaker asked what are we doing next week??  Can we bring the kayak's back here??  Oh dear.  This week's picnic turned into much more.  

We stopped four times on the way home.  

• First, to take a photo of the enormous dandelion puffs.  (Grandma once asked for photos of everyone blowing them... not sure the significance.  
• Second, (no photo) to investigate a new picnic spot for another time... This one only 5 minutes from our house, secluded, grassy and delightful!
• Third, to photograph the large 'barrel thistle' that Jim has been raving about for the last few weeks.  When Patrick told him they were edible they sampled it.  He's encouraging a rhubarb, strawberry thistle pie....
• Fourth, to enjoy the lovely baby antelope on the road.  

Boring Sundays

Recently Whittaker let us know that Sundays were boring.  Oddly enough we thought they were relaxing.  One day that no construction was occurring.  We sometimes played a game or sat on the porch to listen to frogs or birds.  However as the weather became nicer we decided to include Daddy in our bike rides one Sunday afternoon.  Not a long ride, but fun and hot.  After that we knew we needed to go earlier.. it was just getting too warm for biking in the afternoons. So the following Sunday we attached the basket to my bike and opted to pack water bottles and snacks and enjoy a family ride to a new view spot we'd discovered earlier in the week.  

This had the steepest hills we've attempted to date.  But some great fun going back down!  We stopped along the way to see a lizard Duncan spotted.  The view of the valley was vast and our odd assortment of snacks was satisfying. 

But once home and our regular Sunday activities filled our afternoon, we began to hear how boring Sundays were.  Good time memories don't last long.

Moonrise

I've made no secret that the sunrises and sunsets are worth watching here.  So much worth it that I bring up the lack of comfortable (that means warm... preferably indoor near a large clear window..) places to watch the colourful sky miracles on a regular basis.  Our home is in the wrong position.  It should have faced just a few degrees further one direction or the other for the sole purpose of having a window that faced due east and west for proper sun rise and set viewing.  

The new nook does offer a lovely place to watch the sunrises.  But we yet lack a sunset nook... and a place to build one.  

Sunrises are all well and good.. but much of the year... they are earlier than I tend to rise... so I miss most of them.

Sunsets however I am never asleep.  Often instead I'm in the middle of supper or dishes; what a difference such mundane tasks would be if the view could be enjoyed while tending to the tasks.  

So I was thrilled to be returning from town earlier than usual one evening and was able to catch this lovely moonrise while driving down our road.  

Expeditionees.

We hadn't moved in more than a week when I dubbed the hill in the distance as 'Picnic Hill.'

(if you look closely at the crest of Gopher Hill you can see some photo bombing antelope)

I simply began calling it that.

When questioned, I replied, "One day we are going to pack a great picnic and hike to the top and have a grand adventure!"

That 'one day' FINALLY arrived!

Without even realizing it as we began, we officially named the excursion our 'Expedition to Picnic Hill'.

We even gave ourselves a group name.  The Expeditionees!  

We had Elowen, Esther, Emerson.... Emily, Elliot and Edward... some names may have needed to be changed to .. begin with E for admission into the Expeditioneeeee's association. 

Each expeditioner had an important role to play!

Emerson had the binoculars... He was the lookout.

He looked out for holes in the ground.

He looked out for poop and other signs of animal activity.  

He looked out for wildlife... like cows and birds.  (It was a rather uneventful wildlife excursion.)

He looked out for tripping hazard sage bushes.

Elliot (a.k.a. Whittaker) had the compass. He was in charge of directions.

He gave directions on what to sing.

He gave directions on which rocks to step on when crossing the water.

He gave directions on the order we should line up in.

He gave directions on when we needed a water break.

He gave directions on where we should mark the fence for crossing on the return.

He gave directions on how to make his sandwich.

He gave directions on our current position in relation to the destination and our starting point....

(The only thing between our house and the top of picnic hill is... a little elevation... a creek to cross... a few cows and some fences.  We never really lost sight of either destination nor starting point at any point along the trek.)

Elowen had the cough. She set the pace.

She did exceptionally well at keeping us from becoming too winded.

She was an expert at resting.

She also reminded us that we forgot to bring tissues.

She made the trek with grace and poise.

She also made it to the top!!  

Edward (a.k.a. Duncan) He had the picnic blanket, fingerless gloves, a flashight built into his hat and a pocket knife. He was the gentlemanly security division.

He secured safe passage across the waters.

He secured unscathing methods of fence travel.

He secured a less pokey picnic area for us to sit.

He led the way.

He left no one behind.

He carried other's loads when they became too much to bear.

  

Esther had the Swedish fish.  She was in charge of morale!

She kept smiling the whole time.

She looked forward to the picnic the most.

She named things, like the cows bed.

She pointed out things of great interest... the dead mouse and the animal bones in the creek.

She told uplifting stories about friends who step in cow pies.

She pestered for hints of how the Anne movie was going to end to help pass the time as we hiked.

Emily (a.k.a. me.. Nova) had the phone.  She was the historian.  

She documented the journey.

She told stories along the way.. mostly embarrassing ones about herself.

She talked on the phone... (how absolutely obnoxious...) Unfortunately there was excellent reception at the top of Picnic Hill and multiple important calls came through.  

She communicated with Miles as we saw him leave the house and drive along the dirt road to go to work.  

She made him stop and take a photo of us on the top of the hill!.... He had a difficult time locating us... we were just specks he said.

She felt so accomplished when it was all over!

She wants to go again. 

She wants Patrick to build her a gazebo at the top.  She wants to build a house there.  She doesn't want to think about winter access or difficulties involved in actually carrying out the idea. 

The expedition was fraught with dangers!

Barbed wire fence fiascoes... nearly touching electrical fencing... potential creek hazards.  Not to mention the real threat of elevation illness, becoming overcome with fatigue, and the slight chance that it took longer than anticipated and we returned too late for the cello lesson.

Fence crossings

There were three fences between our home and the Picnic Hill destination.  

I have a deep fear of fences.  

I come by it honestly with ... second hand experiences.

I regaled the Expeditionees with the horrors of barbed wire from my 11 year old memory of Eden getting her hand caught on a barb in Oregon.  Duncan kindly held the fence while we all shimmied under... Elowen attempted going over one of them..  It wasn't much easier. 

The second experience was of an electrical fence.  Kenzie was the experiencer that time.  I shared that horror story also... just after I suggested that since we had a slight hill to descend they should get closer to the fence and hold the top wire since it had no barbs.  THANKFULLY.. Security officer Edward (Duncan) stopped us.  "NO!!" he yelled.  "It's an electric fence mum." We took our chances with the hill without the aid of fence railings.  

Water crossings

Edward (Duncan) proved exceptionally helpful in our water crossings.

He was the most experienced.  He crossed almost twenty times.  Some just because he could and for a time he hiked along on the other side of the water but he found a suitable location for all of us to cross.  He assisted us all and none of us took any plunges.

Marking the way

Cairns : a stack of rocks to mark an unidentified trail. 

I could not for the life of me remember the term, 'cairn' while we were hiking, but I did remember the general idea of stacking rocks to mark our way.  It was extremely  useful on our journey since we could EASILY see the beginning and the end of our trek at all times!  But I take my role of imparting wisdom to others seriously, so we marked the trail.  Plus Whittaker thought it a wise idea to remember where we crossed the water since other areas may not have been as hospitable... well they may have been an inch or two deeper.  

Over the course of the last 12 weeks, visitors have come and gone, almost all have commented at some point on the clouds and the grand sky views here.  So we paused to appreciate the clouds and the incredibly blue skies. 

The view from the top!

It was worth the climb.  We enjoyed seeing the house from the hilltop.  We even recognized Neal's house and other landmarks that we were familiar with. 

But what was on the other side ??!!!

More rolling hills.

More adventures for another day... we had other obligations (a cello lesson) later that day.

Emerson found a place to wait and gaze at the grand sights.

A few of the Expeditionees... wondering where the others were.

How could we become parted... we could see clearly for literally miles.

Our ever faithful security division, Edward (Duncan) had turned back to discover where our missing member was.  

Apparently we hadn't taken one of the pace maker (Elowen's) recommended resting breaks in our excitement to reach the top.

Edward patiently rested with her and after a few minutes he recommended a nicer spot to sit.... at the top.

Elowen's rescue!

Removing her jacket and Edward carrying her bag, she successfully ascended to the top of Picnic Hill.  We all knew she could do it!

A lovely discovery at the top.  A heart shaped pink quartz rock!

Other discoveries were some strangely mossy rocks. 

Lots of sage brush... some large boulders... and not much else.

Oh... exceptional silence.  An incredibly, peacefully, tranquil spot.

Although we wouldn't claim it was a hot day it wasn't cold.  It was still surprising as I attempted to take a photo, that I was able to capture heat waves.  We wondered momentarily if we were dehydrated and were witnessing a mirage but since the camera caught it... we sipped our water and continued. 

As part of Elliot's (Whittaker) requirements for scouting, he needed to plan a hike, and report any signs of wildlife.  We were more than happy to oblige.  We had high hopes of encountering herds of antelope.. a wild bull or an angry badger... and of course since we are in the wild's of Wyoming.. perhaps a Bison or a Moose.  We had instead the honor of finding an abandoned badger hole, some evidence of antelope (droppings), some carcass bones along the waters edge covered in algae, a partially digested mouse and many instances of domestic cow pies. 

While taking in the view from the top we noticed a puff of dust moving along the road below.  It only took a moment to deduct that the van was not in front of our house and the time indicated that Miles was likely off to work.  So we called him and told him to stop.  Notice the car in the coloured circle of the above photo.

He obliged.  He took a ridiculous amount of time trying to locate us.  We requested he take our photo.  We all stood together and waved our arms.

You can see us in the photo below.

That's us... in the circle!

All six of us!

It really puts it into perspective how far we had hiked!

Just a speck!... Miles wasn't positive it was us.  We were unimpressed with his eyesight!

The expedition would not have been successful to hike Picnic Hill without enjoying a leisurely picnic atop the conquered hilltop. 

We were in no hurry... except that Edward (Duncan) had school assignments to do and Elowen had a cello lesson, and Esther was eager to finish the Anne movie that was so abruptly interrupted the night before with the power outage... but other than that, we relaxed and enjoyed the views, the tranquility and the adrenaline rush of accomplishment!

Then we hiked down and watched the conclusion of the first part of Anne of Green Gables before the cello lesson (via the internet) time arrived.

We also spent time removing burrs from our socks.  (just a small price to pay for such an adventure)