More Ice, More Exploring

There’s more snow above that mailbox than there is below.

Yep, that’s a lot of snow. Our inland lakes are frozen, with the snow on top forming drifts, and over half of Lake Michigan is frozen. Some days it seems like a featureless landscape, and fighting off ye olde seasonal affective disorder can be a chore. Normally, we’d just jaunt off to go skiing, but our schedules have been less flexible lately, and it has been cold. Thus, when the clouds part to reveal the blue sky they’ve been concealing, we go adventuring.

…And because it’s still winter in northern Michigan, sometimes the clouds swallow the sky right back up as we’re on our way for a hike. Too late, though; we were already on our way, so along we went, to the mouth of the Platte River. Our dearth of moving water meant that we appreciated the short stretches of exposed river wending its way into Lake Michigan’s icy expanses.

Tony, Petey and I meandered along the beach (there was sand to walk on in places – sand!) and then scampered out onto the near parts of the ice shelf for our weekend explorations. Occasional peeks of the sun added a touch of drama to the sky to compliment the ice formations.

After a bit, we headed south to check out the Pt. Betsie Lighthouse. We were there just before Christmas, reveling in the blue waters despite our constant grey skies. Yesterday revealed a different scene. Ice stretches nearly to the horizon; from the top of the dune, you can just make out a hint of open water.

It’s a surreal thing, absorbing the beauty and irony of a lighthouse perched above a giant frozen lake. This lighthouse is always a favorite, but I particularly love how the ice near the shore retains its characteristic teal color.

Not long after we left Pt. Betsie, lake effect snow again blew in, blotting out any color in the sky. With a projected high of 6F tomorrow, I am ever more grateful for the ability to take spontaneous refreshing, recharging trips on the weekend. I hope you’re recharged for the week ahead.

Hearty, Hardy Folks

Dear Regular Readers, I apologize for my absence. I’ve discussed our tendency to run a pseudo-bed-n-breakfast in the summer, but things are generally calmer outside of the warm season. With our random gallivanting, we don’t have trouble keeping ourselves busy, but it can get lonely up here in the tundra. Lately, though, we’ve had trouble keeping ourselves still, which means I’ve not had the right combination of time and motivation to fill you in on my northern Michigan shenanigans.

My Icy Michigan

One of these days, perhaps, I’ll adjust to all the wintry moods of northern Michigan. I will cease to be amazed by the pillows of snow that accumulate overnight, or while we’re away for an afternoon. It will no longer surprise me that the sky can be both filled with brilliant sun and heavy with falling flakes. I will bore of the muted pallet, and tire of the cold.

Then again, perhaps not.

Sweet Escape

Phew, this month is taking its toll on me. Instead of complaining about it, though, I’ve taken a lesson from Bambi and chosen to remain quiet. Ish. Thus explains my recent blogging break. Regardless, this weekend was supposed to bring more of the same icky weather, and we had planned to spend it in the basement, finishing our insulation installation. I’ve talked before about my quick-onset cabin fever, but Tony can usually hold out longer than me. However, early this afternoon, he checked the radar, saw a clear patch, and suggested we get the heck outta Dodge the house.