Spring Thaw

Southeast Wisconsin is finally experiencing a bit of spring thaw - even though temps are still mostly in the 30s. This photo shows our street the other day when Nik and I were taking our morning walk amongst the remaining patches of snow. The weatherman predicts we may reach 50 degrees on Sunday (& we maybe even see some sunshine.) Woo-hoo!

Deer Tracking

Another snowy afternoon at Balmer Park. The only visitors to the playground these days are the deer! (Notice all the tracks in the foreground going back and forth.)

Frozen

Just like the Disney movie of the same name, much of Lake Superior is 'Frozen.' As of Tuesday, Feb. 11th, it was 87.1% frozen and experts say that due to the brutal winter, it may freeze almost completely over for the first time this century.  A few weeks back, our good friend, Dana, drove up to Ashland, Wisconsin, to visit his daughter, Laura. She's a student at Northland College, which features a curriculum focused on the environment and sustainability. 

They carefully hiked along the shore and spent most of the day exploring the ice caves that are formed by water, wind, and frigid weather. It's been years since winter ice has been thick and secure enough for visitors to walk out to the islands that dot the area. The dramatic wall of ice below is ever-growing and shifting. As more water filters down through the rocks, segments are constantly being created and broken off. 

It's interesting to note that where the "ice falls" meet the frozen lake, there is a horizontal gap of several inches or more.  This gap rises and falls with the movement of the lake, and can be seen at the bottom of the rock formation below.

I also love Laura's cozy warm "Spirit Hood"-style hat, which is perfect for Wisconsin's below-zero windchill!

Photo credits for this post: Dana L. French (c) 2014

Faith

Last night some places in western Wisconsin got over a foot of snow! Earth to Mother Nature:  "Hello! It's May!"

Thankfully, the Milwaukee/Waukesha area was spared this indignity. We do have sunshine this morning, but it's only in the 30's, and most flowers and trees have still not budded out.  That's why I am posting this pretty image of my blooming clematis taken in May a few years ago - to remind us that spring will eventually be here - even if she is taking her sweet time!

A Romp in the Park

Winter can't keep Nik down.  She loves the snow and loves to hike, so off to Balmer Park we go! Beyond the playground are the woods and bare cornfields, where her nose will be on the trail of deer and rabbits, and other critters.

In Like a Lion

Ok - technically this was March 2nd, but the snows came overnight and made our rural community a winter wonderland! However, today's near 60 degree temps melted just about all of it. Let's hope that March's weather continues to be gentle as a lamb. :-)

Wrestlemania

Looks like the Pewaukee High School wrestling team has gone to state for the third year in a row. Go, Pirates!!

Happy Days?

How appropriate for downtown Milwaukee. Just seeing this silly cover made me smile, even amidst the flying snowflakes! Spring is coming, we just need to be patient.

Could Always be Worse

Looks like March is coming in like a lamb this year. A very COLD lamb, but still - we'll take sunshine whenever we can get it! :-) It's hard to imagine that the corn will be "knee-high by the Fourth of July" in these fields.

Moonscape

...or is it?

It's actually the same image seen below, with the colors equalized in PhotoShop. During our walk this morning, we could see what looked to be a sunken pothole in the snow alongside a subdivision street. After kicking away some of the snow, the sewer cover "sunburst" design was visible underneath.

Winter Sun

As opposed to yesterday's Arizona sunset sky post, this is what a typical morning looks like around Pewaukee in January. If you click on the image for a larger view and look closely, you can see the faint, tiny outline of the sun trying to break through the clouds in the southeastern horizon of the sky.

Winter Trails

Another snowy, tree-lined path that Nik and I love to hike. This one borders the Broken Hill subdivision. Just lovely - however, we definitely got our exercise since we were the first visitors to blaze the trail, and the snow was still almost knee-deep in some places. I think I'm investing in some snowshoes for next year...and maybe a little sled for Nik!

Don't Worry About It...

...Nik & I weren't planning on doing any trespassing or swimming at the pond on this day. With single-digit windchill temps, it was highly unlikely!

Christmas Farmstead

This small farm is just off Cecelia Road in the Village of Pewaukee. Most of the land around it has been eaten up by housing and retail developments. Even so, it's nice to see the owners display their Christmas spirit by hanging a large wreath on their barn.

The Road Less Traveled

Another long, quiet, snowy driveway right off Swan Road. I can almost hear the bells of a horse-drawn sleigh in the distance...

What Christmas is All About

One of our neighbors has a simple creche template/cut-out with a white spotlight shining upon it. Let's remember that this representation of the birth of Jesus is the reason for this season.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Roger - Over and Out!

No reindeer for this Santa - he's got his little propeller plane and has been cleared for take-off on this runway lit by holiday bulbs.

Frosty the Snowman

All lit up and ready to party! Since Frosty is air-filled, there is a very loud wooshing sound with this particular display, which scared poor Nik when she got close enough to sniff.

"Thumpity-thump-thump, thumpity-thump-thump, look at Frosty go!" - Now, that might really be a little scary if he started to walk away. Fortunately, he is tethered down to the ground.

Don't look a gift cow in the mouth.

Another house in our subdivision has this pedestrian cow delivering a Christmas present to their front door. Since Wisconsin is "America's Dairyland," there's probably a nice wheel of aged cheddar inside!

Snowman Lamp Post

Similar to the Halloween pumpkin lamp post covers I posted earlier this fall, many of the neighbors have put a top-hatted snowman on top of their lights this holiday season. Below is another view taken from a distance.