unlike last year's ice break , this year's was anticlimactic in a way. i took photos this morning; all day long, the open water started expanding, and the ice kept decreasing.
the ice started melting from the far shore, so we had high hopes that the wind would push the ice our way,and we could see the ice piling up on our shores, like last year. but it was not to be. the wind shifted, and the open water started enlarging further on our side of the lake, too.
there wasn't much ice pushing against each other, but we did hear some of the crinkly sounds that that the ice makes, when it is breaking.
we put on our snowpants, winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. we piled into the kayak and ventured out. we hit a few icebergs along the way, as we wanted to see the last of the ice. it was so interesting - the waves were making the sheets of ice atop the lake float, flow, move. i wished i'd had my camera, but it was too risky with the waves. the geese were honking, as we were invading their territory. they swam to the edge of the ice, and then hopped up on it. in the open water of the channel, we encountered one of the swans, and quickly backpaddled away.
once ashore, i sat happily on the beached raft, listening to the sounds of REAL WAVES. oh joy. there is nothing like it. a few chunks of ice had found their way to the shore and gotten stuck, their final resting place a piece of green moss, or brown grass, or wet rock.
copyright 2006, jessica voigts
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Comments: 26
And look -- Carol is not only dreaming of gardening, but laying the groundwork!
looks like a nice fishing hole....
kR - we are in the flat part of the middle of the state. i love the west coast area of michigan - i like it better, topographically and also of course bc of lake mi!!
john - too funny! you'll have to ask our neighbors. although there are always boats parked out front, so maybe we have a good fish hole? we don't fish, just swim and kayak and sail.....too funny!
and you really are a wonderful photographer!
i sometimes complain about not being near a cool city - absolutely no diversity here, or restaurants that we would choose (and so we don't), and theater, etc. but the nature part - now, that is the best! lucky us!
Lake Erie has had little ice this year too. Water temp there last year was so warm--it'll be interesting to see what happens this year.
now in my neck of the woods, it is ramps that bring on spring. i live on a rough and tumble trout stream that i have heard and seen, popping and exploding when the ice breaks some winters, and dams up and some flooding occurs. this winter tho, we did not get that.
ramps...in my rusty latin...i think it is something like "allium tricoccum" a wild leek-garlic-onion green that grows in the mountains, above a certain elevation, and on mostly northern slopes. as soon as the snow melts enough and the ground thaws, off i go with my trusty ramp hoe and gunny sack. the worst part is crossing the river on a hand made bridge. it used to be a swinging bridge, rebuilt several times due to floodoing, but always never better than before...15 feet or so above the river, and really swinging, narrow planks, rusty cables...i ignore the no trespassing sign and cross the bridge for two things, the first being ramps...
this years bridge (the old one finally being so unsafe it was taken down) is a tree washed in from floods. it is balanced on boulders on either side of the river. ladder steps were made up to it and 6" planks were nailed on it end to end, and a handrail on one side that is for looks only! probably 12 feet above the river.
across i go, and then climb the mountain, out old logging roads and woods and after about a mile through the woods, i come to my ramp patch. since it is still early spring, with more snow always on the way through march, ithe ramps are not up and i have to look for the dead flower/seed heads laying on the ground. then on my knees on the rocky mountainside, i pull winters carpet away, and start digging. the ramps are there, waiting for me to lift them out of the cold earth, and to enjoy their pungent smell and the smell of fresh spring (almost) earth. i shake the dirt from the roots and put the clump in my gunny sack. i am ecstatic, and want to sing and yelll and dance, but i just keep digging, and thanking the Lord for the priveledge of ramp digging, the sun and blue sky, the wind creaking in the trees, and the sounds of woods birds, chipmunks, and what ever else comes along, deer or turkey. then, when i know i have to get back before dark, i take off, stopping only at the fresh mountain spring that runs over the hill, to wash my hands and drink right from the run. of course crossing the bridge with a bag of ramps is worse than before, but i slowly make it across, my heart pounding. if i fall i would loose the ramps!!!
then...dinner. oh, the taste and smell is indescribable! i fry up some bacon, and fried potatoes, and clean the ramps, and fry them in the bacon grease, and fry up some eggs, (i know... a heart attack on a plate!) later i will cook a pot of pinto beans and make cornbread or biscuits. the pungent odor fills the house, and for a few days people will know by my breath i have been eating ramps. but when we all start eating ramps, we can't smell each others bad breath, so it is ok. kids get kicked out of school because of ramp breath..later when the ramps get some green leaves onthem, adn have a stronger taste, i will invite some of the local widowed farmers in for a big ramp dinner...they all show up.
when i die, i hope i am digging ramps.
jill - i've never had ramps!! your comment should be an article!! wow! 10 stars! esp how you gathered them - gorgeous, i felt like i was alongside you. thanks!
Its the first day of spring and these are now memories (I can dream, can't I?)
tony - i hope, i hope. i can't wait to open my windows!
Ice or no ice, water that blue makes me want to jump right in. Very refreshing pictures.
thank you, everyone! we love looking outside, and being outside when it is warm enough (even bundled up)...i can't wait for summer!!