The anchorage at Lloyd’s beach, rest of lake is drifted up to 20 inches deep with both rounded dunes and rough choppy waves, spectacular early and late in day with low sun. Will the ice sink? Will the snow melt in coming warmish week forecast? Will we sail this mess again? Will these boats require a canoe retrieval? Stay tuned. Iceman.
Iceman can’t find the ice under 2 feet of heavily drifted snow. Will it ever recover?
I must go down to the ice again
to the sun, and the blue, blue sky
where a runner, a skate, or a cleated boot
is the key to a door flung wide
where the troubles of land are left on land:
the job and the list of chores
and the only challenge that’s left to face
is to move toward the distant shores
the bay was a patchwork of ice and snow
when I got there just at one
and the snow was bonded well to the ice,
the prospect was poor for fun.
so I ditched the skates, and ditched the sail
and walking would be my game
and when I got to the vast South Broads
my world was not the same:
the wind blew streamers of snow across
grey ice like polished stone
and I lay on my back with the wind behind
and my face like a sun-warmed bone
I’d clear my decks! I’d sail this day!
before the fate of tomorrow’s blow
and every thing I had now to do
would go better when spiced with snow
But a friend was battling cancer
a fight too well I knew
and sure enough I had promised
to help with the kitchen crew.
So I made this day a special day
when I could have sailed, but no:
I helped a friend skating one-inch ice
when I had a foot below
This ice is lovely, shiny, deep
but I my promises will keep
and pray that when, we’ve ice again
that skill and strength will still remain
With the brutal winds of yesterday in retreat, Squibb, Eastman, Rindlaub and I set off from the excellent public launch determined to cover every inch of this vast lake. About seven by three miles, with two deep southern bays, big central island and numerous coves it is a touring iceboater’s idea of heaven. The best ice is in the bays, while the broads were a bit bumpy. But the ice is so hard that even in the afternoons dying breeze we still could make slow but steady progress over the rough stuff while always finding a smooth patch to come about on.
The pressure ridges are small and easily crossed so far. Here we grouped up while attempting to sail the full length of the lake in light air.
After yesterday’s thrashing and the wing mast hard to control and overpowering, I went with a DN rig today. Of course, it was a perfect day for the big mast, but we had some big puff in the first hour and the small rig was so relaxing! On a lake this big with moderate breeze I was temped to cleat the sheet and go below for a cup of coffee! The boat still sailed well, balance was good, mast bent nicely: what a treat. I’ll keep this on hand for the next big wind day.
Thanks again to the Fortier clan for scouting this ice for us. This is the view from their summer compound in the western of the two lower bays.
Lastly, sorry to report that the Tea Room is closed for the winter so we had to bring our own…
Scott Woodman reports no snow on Dammy, about a foot of black ice 1/2 somewhat rippled but smaller ripples than Chicky, no visible pressure ridges. Ice pile up at ramp.
Ice Cycle ride on Chicky at 11 AM, 80% thin packed snow cover North end, 90% clear ice South and seems sailable, North end might be tedious. Light air insufficient for snowy areas.
