...because, as the saying goes, you might get it. Last week in the below zero temps, I was hoping for just a bit of a December thaw. You guessed it, I don't think it even got below freezing in the last 24 hours. What little snow we had is almost gone, and it rained off and on last night.
As I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of rain against the window, I thought of my pond. Dang it anyway, the ice was so good and smooth. I wondered what it would be like in the morning; probably ice covered with water. Then I remembered...the kids had left a lounge chair out in the middle of the ice. Which meant someone would have to attempt to retrieve it, or we would have either a submerged or partially frozen in lounge chair.
I came home early this afternoon since Calvin was home sick (again, but he's starting to feel better--and it wasn't from the bump on the head, just some pesky virus) and the chair was still there. So I went out, armed with ski poles (for grip and ice testing). I was confident that, although there was a bit of water on top of the ice from the rain, the ice underneath was solid enough I could walk out on it. If I was wrong, the chair was positioned exactly over the deepest part of the pond, which is a few feet over my head.
It turned out there was still a solid, thick layer of ice, but it was extremely slippery due to the water. I was glad I had thought to bring the ski poles. I got the lounge chair, and even took the time to gather the rest of the chairs from the beach area and store them under the boat.
So now it is the darkest part of the year, and I have no snow for skiing or usable ice for skating. The forecast is for high temps in the upper thirties all week, and if precipitation happens, it will most likely be rain. I am worried about the condition of the pond, but the rain on top of the existing ice might make an even smoother surface when it freezes solid...if it doesn't snow.
At least now I can enjoy the Christmas lights on the front of the cabin; in this dark time of year the light looks cheery and inviting.
6 comments:
What a change! I was up at my parents in Cloquet and enjoyed some snow on Saturday and Sunday, but then rain. I came home to 28 degrees and ice covered everything. Sure does make you wonder what the heck is going on...
ugh... this rain and fog and warm crap makes me want to cry.
i miss you winter.
This IS creepy winter weather! I'm ready for some clean white snow!
Still waiting on snow here ... glad you didn't do the polar plunge.
prairie chick- that's strange, it didn't snow here, and we're only abour 45 miles from Cloquet. By the way, did you go to that new Mexican restaurant downtown? I always forget what it's called, but they have the best Mexican food I've ever had, anywhere.
dharma bum- I just bought a State Park vehicle pass, and am waiting to take the kids skiing...bummer.
lynne- I'm dreaming of a white Christmas myself!
FC- I'm sure you have a long wait ahead of you. I was extremely cautious; I didn't want to end up one of those news stories that always show up this time of year about people going through ice.
We're having a strangely warm week over here too. One night last year this time the temperature dropped to -25 C, same night this year +3. Rain again today, and continuing warm.
Glad to hear you're "extremely cautious" on ice. Around here, as soon as there's a skin of ice on the lakes someone falls through on a snowmobile!
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