Icy covered trees, beach, and Moon

Yesterday the sun and friends got me outside.  The crazy women of Grand Marais had their annual winter beach party down on the frozen bay of Grand Marais.

I took a few photos while down the bay.  The picture below shows one of the ice shanties with the inner harbor lighthouse.

The new owner of Bayshore Market pulled her twin daughters around the bay.

Docks and umbrella....

A couple days ago I took some pictures of the ice and snow covered trees....

The moon was brilliant last night....

Beadh Walk

It was freezing rain yesterday, but Jamey, Lois, and I went for a walk on the beach anyway.  Since I took the photos the other day, we have received a trace of snow so at least the beach was white again.  It is still freezing rain in areas of the U.P. this morning.  The freezing rain will spread across the entire peninsula over the morning.  Many schools are closed.

Jamey and Lois....

The waves were crashing against the shelf ice!

We saw another couple, who did go part way out onto the ice.  Thankfully, they did not go far and did not stay long.  Some people do not realize how dangerous the shelf ice is.

UP200 Dog Sled Race

This weekend is the annual UP200 dog sled race.  There were 19 teams this year.  They start in Marquette, rest and turnaround in Grand Marais, and return to Marquette.  As of this posting, three teams have completed the race; the others are still out on the course.  Congratulations to the dog sled teams, the race officials, and the volunteers.

Grand Marais checkpoint....

When each team arrives, its official time is recorded, the dogs are checked by vets, and handlers help guide the team behind the recreation center to the rest area.

It is Presidents' Day weekend, so we have a lot of snowmobilers.  Volunteers stop the machines when dog sled teams are near.  The snowmobiler in the photo below is very patriotic.

Rest area behind the recreation center on the baseball field.

A spectator....

A team coming down what we locals call "suicide hill."

Snowmobile line up at our only gas station...

A raffle was held this year to raise money for the event....

Ice fishermen on Grand Marais Bay...

Snow and Beach

First, an update on the progress of the new book.  I have now received and incorporated all the comments from reviewers.  Today I'll transfer the page files from Photoshop CC into the publishing software.  Then I'll send the files to the printer!  Thanks to everyone who helped with the book's review.

A couple of days ago it was beautiful and sunny.  My plans were to go to the beach, but I was busy with the book and had issues with my printer -- so I only walked around my property.  Here are a few photos documenting snow depth.  Some of the drifts in my yard are four to six feet deep.

Looking north from my driveway...

Snow pile in front of my outbuilding....

Snow in front of my LP tank....

Snow behind my house....

Beach looking west....

Beach looking east...

Lois agate hunting.  She actually found one!