Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all!

If you go outside in Grand Marais today, you would think it is late May or early April. It is supposed to be 43 degrees today with rain. We've had three warm days in a row, so much of the snow is gone. It is supposed to turn cold again tomorrow. Hopefully, there will be some snow in our future.

Today's posting includes a few more pictures from Pathway Beach, located around five miles east of Grand Marais. But first, a couple of sunset pictures taken from the east side of Grand Marais bay.




Here is another Pathway Beach photo. This line of icebergs is located around ten feet up the beach from the high water mark. Along the entire length of ice there were icicles hanging down.



The jet streak lit up with the setting sun.



I just loved the high clouds.



When I drove through town I snapped a couple of shots of the snowmobile parking areas. One is next to the Dunes and the other is across the street south of Bayshore Market. Ten years ago these two areas would have been packed with machines. Although there have been quite a few snowmobiles in town, the sport is not what it once was.

Ski adventures in the School Forest

A few days ago Wendy and I skied through the school forest to what I call Pathway Beach. From H58 it is around 3 to 3 1/2 miles. For most of the way we skied in snowmobile tracks. The last half mile or so we had to create our own track.

The second day, we took some Ecobricks as well as food. We had a small fire and enjoyed a winter picnic.

Dunes Snowshoe

On Sunday Stu Stuart asked to join Wendy and I on our training snowshoe. We hiked from the Sable Visitors' Center to Sable Lake, up and across the dunes to the foot bridge by Sable Falls, and back the trail along the river to the visitor's center. It was a beautiful day for a snowshoe.

Christmas Day Snowshoe

On Christmas day my son and daughter-in-law and I snowshoed from the Sable Visitor's Center down the trail along the river, past Sable Falls, to the lake shore. As each day passes this winter, the amount of ice on Sable River increases.



Going down the steps, Jericho decided to keep her snowshoes on. It was tricky, but she did a great job.



I just saw Sable Falls and took pictures of it the other day. With the warmer temperatures in the low 30s, there has been enough melt that the increased flow over the falls broke away and melted some of the ice covering the falls.



Here is evidence of some of the melting along side the river.



I posted pictures the other day showing all the ice boulders at the mouth of Sable River. On Christmas day there was one ice boulder left. The wind had changed to come out of the north. The larger waves broke up the ice. Notice how the icicles on the ice boulder have two directions -- showing that the chunk of ice shifted and continued to drip.



More photos taken at the beach.

A Few More Seney Refuge Photos

I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Christmas. The next few days in Grand Marais are going to be warmer and sunny. We are supposed to have temperatures in the 30s. I guess down state Michigan is going to see 50 degree temperatures in some places. While we have mild weather around here, the east coast is supposed to get pounded with a storm. My son and his wife are supposed to fly back into Boston early on Tuesday. Since Boston is expected to get up to two feet of snow, I hope they can safely make it back.

Today's posting includes a few more photos taken during the cross country ski trip to the Seney Refuge the other day. I just love the clumps of snow on the trees.





These snow covered boulders next to the river demanded that a picture was taken.



I think I had a picture of this bear-clawed tree last year. The bear must use it a lot because it was definitely more clawed up this year. There were some of the shavings on top of the snow so at least one bear is not yet in hibernation.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone. It has been an enjoyable one for me. My son and his wife, Kevin and Jericho, were in town. Unfortunately, they had to leave earlier than expected due to the passing of Jericho's great-grandmother. We spent part of the day snowshoeing -- which was wonderful!

Today's posting includes some shots taken Wednesday when Wendy and I decided to ski the Seney National wildlife Refuge again. The river and snow clumps, as well as the ski trail, were fantastic!





There are not a lot of well-decorated houses up in these north woods. We did pass one that was done well.



This moose statue was along side a store during our travels.



While skiing we saw this snow clump that looks just like a Santa hat. I photoshopped the red so you can see it better.




I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

Sable Falls Snowshoe

Today's pictures are the rest that I took on our snowshoe hike from Sable Visitors' Center to Sable Falls, as well as a few I took while cross country skiing on the national park's trails.

First is a shot of some of the white birches along the ski trail.



I liked this tree knot.



The warm temperatures this last few days has caused the snow to condense some. This is the official measurement gauge on the cross country ski trail. As you can see we only have 8 inches on the level right now.



The ice in the river can sometimes form geometrically interesting designs.




Now the Sable Falls photos. The first was taken from the high dune on the west side of the river, looking back up stream. The others were taken from the path once we crossed an ice bridge and headed back toward Sable Visitors' Center.






This picture was taken on the beach. It shows how the wind blows spray from the waves and coats driftwood.