Interesting ...

Greetings Everyone!

We are back at the cabin.  Returned about a week ago with our friend, Kirby (McGyver) who brought us across the lake with his snow machine. 
 



                                                       Ernie and Kirby came across the lake in "First Class" accomodations and
I came across in "Baggage" or is that as baggage?  Sitting on top of a cooler and hanging onto the tie down ropes wasn't so bad ----

Since I was dressed for the adventure.  Of course riding backwards on a cooler with my parka hood pulled over my face didn't give me much of a view.  We crossed the lake way over by Anderson's Reef, then cut across to the 100 ft right of way.

 

 

When we arrived at the 100 ft right of way - we discovered the lake was open all the way up to the Upper Kenai.  Since it appeared we couldn't get to our cabin - we snow machined up behind Tater's cabin and over to our place.

 

While Ernie opened up the cabin, Kirby shoveled off our cabin deck.  Behind Kirby, you can see the open water in front of our cabin - just past the beach.

 

After Ernie got the cabin open -- he and Kirby left me to get the heat going while they got Ernie's snow machine started.  Then, both of them returned to the lower landing to pick-up Gunter and Bridgett. 

 

The next day Ernie and Gunter went out to test the ice and mark the westerly route over by Anderson's Reef.  They completed the testing the following day - all the way to the lower landing.  The ice measured 20 inches all the way to Anderson's Reef - and a couple of holes 15 inches closer to the lower landing.  The ice was solid with no mush.

 

 

Since then, the lake continues to change -- it's beginning to look more like a 'spring time lake'.  Going from our cabin - east - the lake is open all the way across to the upper landing, as far as the eye can see to the upper Kenai, past Wades place, around the east side of Frying Pan and to Duck Shack's.  The Southwest corner of  Caribou is still frozen - and we are keeping watch on the ice -- Ernie continuins to measure the ice and check conditions.

 

 

Anyone want to guess who will be the first person to cross the lake by boat in March?  Right now, a boat can cross from the upper landing all the way to Arvin's or our place. 

 

Below - Ernie is pumping water -- this is the first time we've not had to drill a hole for water in February.

 

When out walking about -- every now and then a piece of ice goes floating by.  Rather unique art work created by the "lake water artists".

 

All in all - this has been a rather interesting time -- no ice to skate, no 'real' snow to ski or snow machine -- so we mainly take walks -- and of course, do chores.

 

Take care everyone!!