In a year full of challenges and uncertainty, I hope that we will remember the moments of beauty and wonder that also intertwined 2020. Watching lightning (safely) across the lake at midnight with Sophia and her cousin Max. Everything else forgotten except the amazing spectacle of a summer evening storm.
Rime Ice
The trees, shrubs and fences were covered in a delicate white ice on Sunday morning. I thought it was freezing rain, but after taking a closer look, I found that it was rime ice (Different than hoar frost. Thank you, Google).
Rime ice forms when liquid water droplets in the air freeze onto a surface, growing into combs, needles, or feathery forms.
It was very beautiful, but I am still very much looking forward to spring. Sooner than later, please.
-34 Degrees + Lake Superior + Wind = Ice
Mike’s drive to work on Thursday morning was -34 degrees. It may have warmed up a few degrees when I left 45 minutes later, but my car’s thermometer only goes as low as -22. I didn’t know that until this year. I guess Nissan doesn’t think it gets colder than that. Well, it does. It was brutally cold this week and the wind made it even more miserable. School was canceled for three days. That. Never. Happens. In. Minnesota.
It had warmed up to a balmy -15 by sunset on Thursday. Mike and I stopped by a few places along the shore of Lake Superior to check out the ice. Mike viewed it from the warmth of his Jeep. I ventured out to take photos. It was nice of him to keep the vehicle warm for me.
By Friday, temperatures were above zero. That’s when I saw people ice fishing on the big lake near Canal Park. I chose to take photos safely from shore.
Spring is just around the corner…right?