Monday, February 13, 2012

Ice Mounds and Range Lights

The other day I braved the snowy elements for a double lakeshore snowshoe loop.

First I headed to Ft. Juniper.  Good thing I did because Mr. Sun and his rays were out causing trouble.  I had to patch up quite a few holes that went all the way through.  The patching snow was nice and white, perfect for reflecting those rays if they came back.  I also laid in it for a while.

Although I have spent countless hours building, rebuilding and patching that thing, it is so worth it every time I lay in it and listen to the wind without being in the wind.  Ah, laying by the Big Lake in the wintertime.  That is priceless.

But you know what?  I am the only person who has ever been there!  I better bring a buddy sometime... as long as they know the secret password!

I continued along the Lake Superior shore where the wind whipped me from behind.  I hadn't been out there for at least a week, and I was elated at what I found.  The ice that built up toward the shore built up in layers of mounds.  I walked out to the first set, traversed the crunchy ice, climbed the second set, crunched over more ice then to the third set where I realized I probably shouldn't go any farther!

Here is a video of that adventure.  You can really hear how the wind was blowing the whole time too.  Good thing I wasn't going the other way!

Since I was just walking along the shore, I saw the range light behind the trees.  I usually only see it from the Lighthouse across the bay.

Range Light number one.

When I got past this one, I saw the second one!  (Imagine that).  It was much bigger, so I went inside and got a video for you.  Pretty neat, hey?

From there I went onto Lake Fanny Hooe and laid in the middle for a while.  I do still love to lay in the middle of that lake, but I sure could have used a snow fort in that wind!  I had to crawl back into the woods to make it home somewhat comfortably.

And the last two days have been sunny.  I went for a nice cross country ski today in the sunshine on freshly groomed tracks.  The sunshine is nice when I can get out in it.  But it is only February, so LET IT SNOW!!!

12 comments:

  1. I love your little videos Amanda... thanks for taking us there. Also, I already tried to guess your Ft.Juniper password but got no confirmation. I imagine it's a tough place to get into, as it should be. I hope your snow continues, and continues, so that the streams and rivers have something to feed them come springtime. Take care on those adventures.

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  2. I love your little videos Amanda... thanks for taking us there. Also, I already tried to guess your Ft.Juniper password but got no confirmation. I imagine it's a tough place to get into, as it should be. I hope your snow continues, and continues, so that the streams and rivers have something to feed them come springtime. Take care on those adventures.

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  3. Hey Michael, to guess the password, you have to sign in to facebook. I really didn't want to do it that way, but that's the only way I could figure out how people could post in a continuous feed without me regulating.

    Otherwise, leave your guess in a comment on this blog, and I will post if for you (this goes for anyone who is not on facebook)! Good luck!

    Amanda

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    1. OK Amanda, my first guess at the password is 'Bell Bouy' given you were lucky enough to get a photo of it from shore way back in June. It's also one of your favorite sounds of summer up in da Harbor. My only hesitation is that its two words instead of just one which is usual for passwords.

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  4. Thanks Michael!!! You were the first guesser. Sorry, but that is incorrect. I have posted it on the contest page for you. Feel free to try again -- EVERYONE!

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  5. Pipsissewa sounds like a good password. What do you think? The process of elimination continues.

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  6. Oooh, you are dangerously close! I will post that for you :)

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  7. OK, so now I've got it narrowed down to two possibilities which I'm almost certain will get me inside the fort. I'll only guess one at a time to be fair. My next guess is 'Bearberry' but I'm ready with a follow-up if necessary. BTW, thanks for posting these on your facebook page. I've got an interesting reason why I'm not a member.

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  8. Well then, we'll go with 'Rhubarb', but my confidence is waning.

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    1. I have to comment that your secret password contest was just a bit tricky since I don't believe you ever called bearberry by the name of kinnikninnick in your blog. I'm very disappointed!

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  9. Don't get discouraged! A secret password is supposed to be tricky! I never said the word was in my blog -- just a picture. It's perfectly legit. Thanks for playing!

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