Ice Games ...

Greetings Everyone!



With the winds and warm temperatures - the ice has changed significantly.  Although it appears the upper lake - past Cotton Wood Creek is open - a large sheet of ice is blocking a complete opening.  In turn, the ice has become a teaser - opening up leeds then, closing them up and shifting direction.  

Birds of a feather ..
Some of the water fowl we've seen in front of our cabin - before the ice shifted and closed their little 'pond.'

Looking towards the upper lake's 'slot' yesterday. 

Water is flowing - but a large sheet of ice is blocking the flow of water from the 'slot.'

A typical game the ice plays - move and build an ice ridge.



View from the 'Ice Classic Dock' - there is still ice out past Frying Pan.



Yesterday - early evening the ice shifted and began pushing into the open water in front of our cabin . 
 It was fascinating to see the ice squeeze and shove itself up onto the shore.

Looking towards the upper landing - weak ice making ice ridges as the winds blow and move the ice about.

Looking east - more ice and leeds opening up.

View up lake.

Ice ridges forming as the wind pushes the ice.

A relative calm view - near Swan Cove.



Yesterday evening - the wind increased to 30 mph - causing the ice to shift dramatically.
I'm standing in front of an ice ridge that was made in half- an-hour!
  Ernie and I were mesmerized watching the birth of the ridge - the groaning and scraping of the ice was amazing - and to see the force shoving ice up onto the rockie beach was awesome!



After the birth of the ice ridge (in front of our cabin) - we explored along the ridge and discovered a pile of rocks had been lifted and deposited onto the top of the ice ridge. 
 We also noticed other rock piles as well - some rocks were rather large - rather amazing! 

Our boat is moored just out of this picture - the ice ridge runs both left and right of our boat.
  It will be interesting to see if we can get our boat out once the lake waters begin to flow - I trust this ridge will melt quickly!

This ridge is to left of our moored boat.

This morning when we woke - we discovered the ice moved to in front of our cabin.  It's now 'hanging out' from the mainland to our shores.  So we will see how long it will be before the ice moves away.  Swan Cove is open but the ice seems to be just staying put on this side.

All in all we've been experiencing an exciting break-up.  We've actually been able to watch the ice shifting, making leeds and creating ice ridges directly in front of our cabin.

Take Care and good luck on your Ice Classic guess!

Birds Arriving....

Greetings Everyone!

We've begun to experience a lot of  bird activity recently.  Each day new birds are arriving and I'm frequently finding myself flipping through our bird book - some times I'm able to identify a bird - other times I'm wondering if  'that was' the bird I saw.  All in all - a fun activity. 

The Mallard ducks are arriving along with the Common Merganser's.  Oh - and we've spotted Loon's! They all quietly swim in the open waters around our cabin while the Sea Gulls squawk and carry on in their familiar attention getting song.  We've also seen and heard Robins and other smaller song birds - which I believe are members of the Sparrow family.

A Short-billed Dowitcher checking things out along the shore. 
Note the ice on the lake - facing towards the upper landing.

A large flock of Sandhill Crane's arrive - complete with loud cackling sounds which definitely got our attention.

These ducks appear to be a mating pair.
 I'm speculating they are either a pair of Greater Scaup's or Barrow's Goldeneye.

View across from our cabin.

Ernie and I took the canoe out yesterday to see how far around the island we could go. 
Because ice has only melted a little way from the north shoreline - we ended up staying on the south side of the island.
This view is from the south side - facing towards the upper Kenai - 'the slot.'

A walk along the north side of the island - looking towards the lower landing.

An ice crack going from the north shore out to the sandbar between Little Caribou and Frying Pan.

The 'Ice Classic Dock'
Looking through our binoculars - we couldn't see any open leads way out - but then again - who knows?

So far there are sixteen folks guessing when the ice will 'break-up' - let me know if you want to be included. Other than waiting for the ice to go out - we've been --- you guessed it - working on projects.  Ernie completed a set of 'duck borads' to go into our sauna's entryway.  We also moved our lumber pile - because it was stacked on the spot for my future green house. Soon we will level the spot and begin building. 

Take Care !

Easter Lake Activity...

Greetings Everyone!

Easter at the lake was unique! We started our day with Easter brunch at Bridgetts' and Gunthers' cabin - and what a delight! B had dyed Easter eggs with onion skins, tea and blueberries.  Each of us (there are three couples going through break-up here on the island) received a real hard boiled, artistically colored Easter egg.

Bridgette's Easter creativity greeting us at their cabin door.



A visual and gastric Easter feast! 
 A 'traditional' German Easter brunch - with some Alaskan  modifications!
We feasted on braided Easter bread, salmon, Easter bunny buns (complete with rasin eyes and slivered almond noses), pates, marmalade's, candy sweets and Dall Sheep sausage.



Later that day - a young eagle was playing out on the ice in front of our cabin.
The game appeared to be - pick up a stick, drop it on the ice, swoop down, get the stick, hop with it, take off without the stick then, return for the stick, fly off with it, drop the stick while in flight - and start the game all over again. 
The young eagle spent about half an hour playing with the stick.

Later - we heard the Sandhill Cranes raising a squawking ruckus over near Swan Cove.
As we looked towards all the commotion - we saw a coyote trotting out on the ice.
The coyote couldn't seem to make up its mind as to continue his pursuit of a crane dinner - or trot back to the mainland - so he remain standing on the ice - eventually he gave up on the crane dinner and trotted off into the trees.   

This looks like an aerial photo - but its actually an ice island floating past our cabin.

Our Easter day ended with Easter dinner at our cabin.  I believe each of us was well feasted by the time we went to bed.  I must add - that our Easter dessert was a cherry pie - delivered by Mike McGyver.  He had come to the island on the 20th for a quick 'turn-around' trip and brought the pie out.

We now have fourteen folks guessing a date as to when the ice will go out. Dates taken so far:  May 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,15,17 and 28.  The ice is no longer safe to walk on - and the island is slowly becoming a true island again. Water is flowing around most of Caribou - the north side of the island still remains mostly ice intact - but the ice is getting weaker each day.

Take Care!

The lake is changing ...

Greetings Everyone!

Yesterday we notice a dramatic change in the lake ice.  The day began with variable winds that increased to 35 - 40 mph by late afternoon and continued through the night -- and into today.  At first - the lake took on a gray/blue color and when we woke this morning - the lake in front of our cabin had taken on a blue/green color.  We also noticed bodies of water flowing close to the shore in front of our cabin - and the opening between our neighbors' cabin and Swan Cove had opened up significantly.  The lake if definitely in the throws of casting off its' ice coat! 



Water is now flowing close to the shore on the south side. 
This photo is between our cabin and our neighbor's cabin.

I took a walk around the island today - with the winds gusting to 45 mph. 
To keep my balance and footing - I wore a backpack loaded with a number of rocks. 
I can't say if the extra weight kept me from being blown away - but it seemed to help.
This picture - taken in front of Wades' - shows how different the ice is now - almost mystical in some sections.

Facing the 'slot' - the ice sure has opened up on the lake!

Around the corner from Swan Cove - the beginnings of real changes to come.

Near Swan Cove - looks like a summer lake scene - with the sounds of wind too!

The Sea Gulls have returned - as well as some ducks - not sure what kind of ducks yet - they fly off faster than I can make a determination. 

Okay - now for the 'Ice Classic' update. Guessing when the ice goes out is an island tradition and adds a bit of fun to 'break-up'. 

Here are the basic rules:

1.  Give your best guess as to when the ice goes out - which means when someone can boat across the lake - from either the lower or upper landing to 'Arvins' Dock'.

2. It takes $1.00 to enter your guess. If you are not physically here - we will place an I.O.U. in on your behalf - you just need to let me know that you want to enter and what your guess date is.

3. The last day to place your guess is APRIL 28th.

Take Care and Happy Easter!!

An Active Spring ...



Greetings Everyone!

As Spring unfolds - we've begun to see small flocks of water fowl returning.  Most recently, we've spotted a number of Barrow's Goldeneye and Swans.

The hares are mostly brown now and they've been hopping about - mostly chasing one another. We have also been hearing the coyotes yapping across from our cabin - on the mainland - over near Swan Cove.  Yesterday we heard them at 8:00 am!

Our night time temperatures are going below freezing still - with day temperatures going into the high 40's and lower 50's - Each day has continued to be very sunny - blue sky's - no clouds or winds.  Perfect weather for projects!

The other couple that we've been expecting to arrive for 'break-up' -- arrived yesterday!  It's great to see them again and catch-up on winter news.  The day before their arrival - Ernie and I went out and tested the ice.  We used our ice auger and drilled a number of holes - placing spruce branches into the holes to mark our route.  Readings showed the ice to be 20 -24 inches up to the ridge. However, the ice does show its loosing its density - air bubbles are visible in the ice and the ice looks like 'snow cone' ice when we pulled the auger out of the hole. At the ridge - the ice measured 18 inches in one place and 16 inches in another - there is a ridge crack about 6 to 8 inches wide with water. 

At the ridge our ice auger came apart - the top separated from the shaft - so we returned back to the cabin so that Ernie could repair the separation. Yesterday morning - Ernie was up early to continue testing the ice from the ridge to the lower landing.  The ice measured about 20 inches - the top foot was dry - the bottom foot very porous. Ernie also noticed more cracks - some long and continuous which were not there before.

At the lower landing - the ice has not separated from the shore and fishermen are still pulling their boats out onto the ice to head down to the lower Kenai to fish.

Anyway - at the lower landing - Ernie was greeted by the couple who are coming back to the island for break-up and to spend the summer.  Ernie had prearranged to meet them at the lower landing with our snow machine and big sled. 

They said it was a great sight and sound to see and hear Ernie coming slowly across the lake - testing the ice.  On the return trip - back to the island - our friend's wife decided to walk from the ridge to their cabin - as she walked towards the island - I walked out and together - we walked back.  It was magical to walk on the ice - because of the way the ice crystals are freezing at night - which is in a delicate up right position - when we stepped on the crystals - they crushed and scatter - sounding like many little bells chiming. Totally awesome!!



The ice is beginning to crack around the island --
but the cracks are not more than 3 or 4 inches wide.



A test ice hole out in front of our cabin.

We took a walk around the island to see how the lake 'looked' on Sunday.

On our Sunday walk - we decided to check out some of the island's interior trails.  While exploring - we came upon a 'levatating' tree - actually the wind blew the tree down - but part of it got stuck in an adjacent tree - thus suspended.

We would like to have an 'ice pool'  - DOES ANYONE KNOW THE RULES FOR PREVIOUS ISLAND ICE POOLS?  Each of us can put  $1.00 into the pool with our best guess as to when the ice will go out.  If any our followers are interested in joining the pool or know rules - let us know --- we'll post the rules, add your date with an IOU.


Take Care and Have A Wonderful Sunday!!

Break-up Underway ...

Greetings Everyone!

We certainly feel that 'Spring has Sprung' - our weather has been absolutely beautiful -- warm and sunny.  We can now go outside in shirt sleeves - no more winter coats!  I believe the rabbits that hang-out around our cabin feel the same way - their winter coats are mostly gone now - and they have taken on the familiar brown coat of summer.

Ttemperatures are now reaching into the low 50's during the day. 
 I took this photo of our thermometer - which is in the shade - at 2:30 pm.

Ice along the shore is definitely changing into 'pencile ice'.

We are now seeing open water that is slowly stretching in all directions. 
This view is facing towards Swan Cove - and slowly moving its' way northwest along the island's shore. We've also noticed other weak areas of ice further out on the lake - but can only guess.  
Each day we see new cracks on the ice - some long and skinny - others a few inches wide and deep. During the day - the ice surface is slushy.

Ernie's return from his final trip across the lake (last Friday).
We are no longer crossing the lake - folks visiting their cabins' left on Sunday.
 We don't expect to see visitor's again until May or until the ice goes out - whichever comes first.

Catching up on projects!
Ernie replaced the three metal roof panels that were damaged during one of the wind storms this past winter.

 We have 'put-up' our snow machines and sleds for the summer - I'll miss not using them - oh well. The seedlings I started a few weeks back are growing nicely inside of our cabin.  We are now able to enjoy fresh basil, cilantro and spinach! The other seedlings I started will need to wait for transplanting.

All in all - we've continued to enjoy our adventure - and now the unfolding of spring on the island!  Take Care!!

Time To Stay Put...

Greetings Everyone!

Well - we are reaching the point of staying put on the island. The ice lake is changing - thanks to the warm weather and winds.  Night temperatures are dropping to 25* for a couple of hours - but the day temperatures are going up to the mid-40's. 

Two days ago we had some very strong southeast winds - 70 to 80 miles per hour! Yesterday and today, the winds are clocking at 20-25 mph and its warm. Already - some folks have stopped coming out for the weekend and no one is driving across the lake now. 

Yesterday, Ernie and Mike McGyver went out on snow machines and tested the ice.  Although the lake is  23 inches in places - the ice composition is changing. 

With all that said - Mike McGyver went across the lake today to help another cabin owner bring some lumber across - they will both leave the island on Saturday.  Ernie also went across the lake today - to make one last mail check and pick-up a few fresh fruits and veggies - this will be his last crossing by snow machine - the next crossing will be by boat.

We are now preparing to stay put until the ice goes out - however, we've a number of projects linedup to keep us busy.  Ernie will start on the green house, replace the metal on the roof that was blown off this past year and finish installing the tongue and groove pine paneling in the cabin. I am recruited to be his helper.

One of the things that we discovered about our cabin during the winter - was our two picture windows 'leak' - both of them fogged up and/or got frost between the panes.  So we need to replace both windows - which have been ordered but wont arrive until later this month.

I do believe the next phase of our adventure has begun - 'break-up'!!!

A lone leaf slowly melting down into the ice.

A couple of days ago - Ernie and I took a walk around the island to see any changes in the ice.

As we walked around the island - we came upon a crack - it stretches across the lake - from the island towards the upper landing.  As you can see - water is in the crack. 

The ice is open across from our neighbors' cabin - facing towards Swan Cove.  Since the high winds however, the opening now goes from the islands' shore to Swan Cove point.

Ernie by the Swan Cove opening near our neighbors' cabin - it's about a foot deep here.

Another opening - near our cabin.

Agent Duckie - our friends boat buoy finally emerges from the snow.

Yesterday - Ernie and Mike McGyver felled the large spruce tree that was blown down by a wind a few years ago - the one hanging over the right away at the back of our cabin.

By Sunday - only Ernie and I will be on this side of the island - with Gunther and Bridgett on the other side.  We are looking forward to sharing Easter together - maybe have an Easter egg hunt???

Take Care - we look forward to seeing you all after break-up.