The Wind off of the Breaking Ice Covered Lake

In the 70s? In March? In the U.P. and upper Wisco?
Temps like this called a trip to Bayfield. Short sleeves and a playground run were a great way to spend the day with my little family. We walked the pier to get a good look at the Big Lake. Side note (and waht my title illudes to): you need a jacket on the pier. When the wind hits you off of the lake you are "slap in the face" reminded that it is March and ice is still on the water.

Spring Temps Bring About Muddy Pants

Some things are unavoidable. Some things I just have to accept.

Boys and puddles, splashing and throwing pebbles. When it's above 50, sun is shining, and you are the proud parent of an active two year old boy, opportunities like sitting on the front steps as your son giggles, runs and makes a huge mess of himself, just need to happen. I have given up in defeat in trying to discourage Bits from stepping with sneakers on and pants uncuffed into murky little pools. What's the harm in having to stain treat a pair of khakis and setting a pair of shoes next to the heater.

This afternoon in March was great fun as I watched Mr. Xenopus take joy in running back and forth, finding ice pieces, sharing broken cement chunks with Mommy, and leaving wet shoe prints on the exposed driveway. Birds singing happy songs about their warmth in the boughs of trees, and grass creeping back to life as more and more snow recedes. Play time in the park is coming and this momma and toddler are counting down the days.

In the Land of Ice Fairies

Waking up this morning, between rubbing my eyes into focus and inwardly debating between coffee or tea for my morning caffeine, I peeked out the kitchen window to see an amazing show thanks to the play between frosty tree tips and the rising sun. All of the landscape seemed taken out of a classically illustrated children's book. Elegantly detailed.

With pajama pants on, hoodie zipped, and hat pulled down over my ears, I ran out to click here and there. These mornings are worth the winter cold, and seemingly never ending season. I won't get to see frost like this on a July morning, even here in the U.P. (at least I think so).

I'm not Sure if I'm Ready for my Sandals Quite Yet

The sun is staying up later and later into the evening and the temperature is warming up ever so slightly. Here we go again, bundling up and getting our walk on.

We've braved the chill here and there on evenings, but nothing like the regular amounts of walking we had been doing in the summer and fall. This evening it almost felt like we were getting the bounce back in our step and can sense spring is on its way.

We walked a little further than normally we do on these cold evenings, and I snapped a pic. made available from a hidden woodpecker.

My mind is jumping to summer by the lake as I look at these beach-esque snowy surfaces. The slow thaw is making some textured forms out of the built up ice and snow. A couple of these remind me of those rocks you can break open and find quartz hidden inside.

Again, what incredible sights awaiting to be seen if only we take the time to do so (including the sight of one bundled toddler with rosy cheeks and nose).

Treasures Peek Out from the Snow

When rocks break free from icy shells, driftwood breathes in light from beneath snowy blankets, and sand intermingles with it's numerous falling winter counterpart, you can feel spring will be here soon.

At 34 degrees, we ventured to the Big Lake and visited Black River Harbor, we hadn't been since November, so I was excited for this winter escape. The forecasters said it would be overcast and, true to their word, it was. The sun made an appearance as we left, but we benefited from it hiding behind clouds and keeping the snow from blinding us with brightness as we walked along the beach.

We took time to stop, without talking and crunching boots in the snow, to listen to the ice shift and crack, sometimes popping loudly, and sometimes with sounds like breaking mirrored glass. Mike threw a couple ice globulars at the "water", which, upon impact, turned out to be solid ice. At one point I gasped as Mike dropped a glove into a mini ice cave. He hollered "hello" before reaching his hand inside, which Bits thought was super fun. I was fortunate with the help from a little kick of my boot to find a couple pieces of driftwood. Large, burnt umber toned stones have surfaced from snowy spots, and as warm temps come, many more will be revealed.

A good number of cars showed up to enjoy the lake on this pre-spring day, but I secretly hope that when true spring comes, we can be some of the first people out there with my backpack on and treasure hunting eyes focused to find all the stock piles nature has hidden under the snow and ice.