Today is the tenth day of being "stranded" on the island due to ice. We were able to get out and canoe around most of the perimeter of the island four days ago on a beautiful, still evening, but no channel has opened up yet leading from here to the other shore, as sometimes happens.
The ice is softening and turning gray, but on day ten it's still covering most of the lake. This morning we pulled in a passing ice floe that looked gray and slushy, but to our surprise the ice was a good 5 inches thick and pretty strong still. A good hard wind should start breaking it up, though, and we're expecting that to happen tomorrow if the forecast for strong winds comes to pass. Tomorrow is the first day of Minnesota's fishing opener.
Meanwhile, we have been productive! Since the weather finally warmed up last weekend, we finished setting up the new clay studio, raked and mulched the yards, uncovered the perennial beds, planted asparagus, made eight new dock sections, cleaned, cleaned some more -- all these things that we've had on our to-do list for this spring.
Here are some photos of the new clay studio. A large gas-fired kiln (which Gary built himself, naturally) is outside, and we also have a small electric kiln in the studio.
How very cool. Wish I was there to see it. I promised my Son he would get his turn to come up sometime. Keeping you guys in my Prayers ! rmn
ReplyDeleteYou must be keeping very busy. Would love to see more stories about the Island .
ReplyDeleteThanks
rmn