Valentine’s Day on frozen Lake Superior — what a great way to celebrate a winter’s evening! Chequamegon Bay is at the southwest corner of Lake Superior, surrounded by the towns of Ashland and Washburn, Wisconsin. For the past 13 years the residents of the area come together to celebrate the cold of winter with a ski and snowshoe race across the frozen bay — the Book across the Bay. This event is unique in that it begins at 6:30pm, and the course is lit by hundreds of frozen luminaries marking the route along the ice. The event draws over 2,000 participants skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. This year’s route was changed at the last minute because of four days of warm temperatures and a big thaw. The snow that had covered the frozen lake became liquid, then froze again into a huge sheet of ice. The race organizers changed the course to a loop and spent hours “churning” the ice to lay a path that provided some traction for skiers and walkers. Their hard work paid off and it was a beautiful event, accompanied by light snowflakes. After crossing the finish line there was a huge bonfire to warm up at and a post-race party in a giant heated tent. Hay was scattered on the frozen ground and hay bales were stacked around the perimeter. Everyone was treated to a hot chili feed, delicious local beer, and dancing to a great live band. It’s a party of the best kind, and a delightful way to enjoy and appreciate our winter weather and scenery.
Author: lindastaatsphoto
Last weekend’s photo exhibit – “Dress Rehearsal”
This past weekend I participated in an exhibit at the Minneapolis Photo Center titled “Dress Rehearsal.” I was one of six photographers displaying new work. The exhibit room was beautiful, the work being shown was diverse and interesting, and the people that attended had a grand time seeing a collection of unique photographs — a great success all around. This is one of my new images that drew a lot of attention. “Late night cafe” was photographed in Ashland, Wisconsin. The image was made at night, after the cafe had been closed and certainly cleaned. The floor, tabletops, and counter were all spotless, glowing with the reflection of the neon sign that hung behind the counter. Everything was poised and waiting quietly for the early morning staff to arrive, the breakfasts to be started, the coffee to begin brewing, and the hungry crowd to gather around the tables and counter to start their day once again.
Snow sculptures, before the thaw
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival concluded this past weekend, and just in the nick of time. We finally climbed above freezing on Saturday, January 31st with a balmy 45 degrees! It appears once again that our Vulcans have persevered over winter, and spring can’t be too far away. This is a photo of the winning snow sculpture this year, titled “Hormel McSwine & Friends” (obviously captured before our January thaw!). The sculptures were on display at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and drew crowds of people admiring the art & craft, with the kids (and adults too!) wandering through the snow maze and dreaming of the summer use of the Fairgrounds, with animals, rides, entertainment, and all types of food on a stick! Warmer weather will prevail…soon!
Winter Carnival time in St. Paul
We are now celebrating the St. Paul Winter Carnival. For 122 years we have embraced our cold winter weather, finding excuses to join 350,000 other carnival visitors reveling in outdoor activities for “the coolest celebration on earth.” We layer and bundle and venture out in temperatures that hover at zero degrees. The carnival is based on a legend of Boreas, the King of the Winds, and his enemy Vulcanus Rex, the God of Fire, battling for spring and summer to overcome the cold of winter. Lucky for us, Vulcanus Rex and his Vulcan Krewe prevail each year, giving us the promise of warmer weather to come. There are parades, ice carving and snow sculpture contests, hockey tournaments, sledding, skiing, and a sleigh and cutter rally. This year’s sleigh and cutter festival was held at the Phalen Park Golf Course and included members of the St. Croix Horse & Carriage Society. Under crisp, blue skies there were beautiful sleighs, costumed drivers, and stunning horses. It was easy to lose yourself and be transported back to the late 1800’s or early 1900’s when this was the mode of winter transportation.
Subzero temperatures & icicles
The past week brought us some of the coldest temperatures in the past 10 years. We bottomed out at 22 degrees below zero on Thursday night. When it’s that cold, life becomes much different. You spend five minutes layering up and getting ready to go outside, covering any exposed skin. The moisture in your nose freezes instantly, and sounds travel through the air differently. You are thankful for heat, wool clothing, and the familiar sound of your car starting. But with the warmth of the sun beating through the blue sky, we were treated to beautiful icicles – translucent and glittering, suspended from the gutters. Although we’re warmer now, the icicles remain, changing each day with the temperatures and the sun.
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