Crossing The Lake...

Greetings Everyone!

It's amazing to know about a week ago -- the lake was a body of water -- and now, its a sheet of ice!  For the past few days Ernie and Gunter were out testing the ice thickness of the lake so that we could safely cross. 

Why do we want to cross the lake?  Well, because we have planned a spring vacation and need to catch our flight to the 'Lower - 48'.  When the lake broke-up a couple of weeks back -- I was almost certain that we'd need to charter a helicopter out.  Ernie however was convinced the lake would refreeze and we could snowmachine or walk out.  Our friends Gunter and Bridgett, figured either way we left the island -- they'd be there to see us off.

So - with all that said -- Ernie and Gunter began testing the ice on Monday. On Wednesday they measured good ice thickness readings and that we could cross the ice safely on Thursday.   Thus, on Thursday we began our journey across the ice. 

Below - Ernie and I arrive at Thursday's meeting place -- near Clancy's cabin -- and waited for Gunter and Bridgett to arrive.  Since we anticipated walking the last 200 yards of the lake -- we only packed a few personal items to take -- including about 15 spruce boughs because Ernie and Gunter planned to re-test the ice along the way.

Shortly afterwards, Gunter and Bridgett joined us driving their snowmachine and then, we loaded the ice auger onto the small sled.  The ice auger is electric - meaning it uses a rechargeable battery for operation.  Mike McGyver loaned it to all of us for our drilling pleasure.  The auger is a handy tool and so much easier to use than our heavy gas auger. THANK YOU MIKE!!!

Below - I snapped a photo during the beginning of our trip across the lake.  We crossed the lake near Clancy's place and went straight across and followed the shore line.  The snowmachine tracks in the photo are from Ernie and Gunter's previous trips across the ice as they made their ice testing runs. 

As we cruised along -- we were greeted by an awesome sight!  About 75 - 100 Trumpeter Swans had gathered out on the snow covered ice.  Some of the swans didn't care for us zooming along and took off -- showing us their amazing wing span and graceful flight. 

 After watching the swans for a bit and taking photos -- we took off again -- heading out more towards the lower landing.

Soon we came upon one of Ernie and Gunter's test holes which they had noted with the number 8 - for 8 inches.

We stopped at this hole so that Ernie and Gunter could drill a new hole and take a current ice depth reading.  After they drilled a new hole - Ernie measured for a new depth reading.  The ice had 'grown' 1 inch -- so now the depth of the hole was 9 inches.  Bridgett and I then took one of the spruce boughs, placed it in the new hole and packed ice shavings around the spruce bough to visually continue marking the route.

Because we were approaching the 200 yard mark from the lower landing -- Bridgett and I decided to walk as Ernie and Gunter re-tested the ice. 

In the photo above -- there appears to be an open lead -- but it's frozen.  However, we all stayed clear of the area -- the photo looks close - but it's not.  Since I was now walking -- I decided to take my ear plugs out (we use ear plugs while riding on our snowmachine) and was greeted by ice noises!  It's one thing to hear the lake make ice noises when standing on land -- but when your out on the lake and hear those sounds -- it can be a bit nerve wracking.  I didn't hear any cracking sounds -- just sounds similar to a whale moaning.

Below Ernie is returning to get his snowmachine after walking ahead to locate the next test hole on the lake. The test hole was marked with the number 9 written in the snow.  Gunter waited behind on his snowmachine before going forward.

In the meantime, Bridgett and I continued to slowly walk along following Ernie and Gunter -- taking pictures and enjoying the sights.  Every so often the lake would moan -- and we'd look at each other with raised eyebrows, shrug and continue walking.

Below -- Ernie takes a new measurement at the 9 inch hole while Gunter walks ahead to the next hole.  The new measurement at the 9 inch hole was 10 inches. 

Since I was walking along with Bridgett -- why not take a photo of her all dressed up?  In the background, Ernie and Gunter are moving forward to the next ice hole.

Finally, it's my turn to be photographed all dressed up.

Below -- we are almost to the lower landing -- you can sort of make it out in the upper left hand corner of the photo.  In the foreground is a section of frozen clear ice -- which we skirted around.  The new ice measurements near this clear ice were 12 and 13 inches.

 

By the time Ernie and Gunter completed all the new ice measurement -- Bridgett and I reached the lower landing -- you can see our foot prints coming across.  After we got to shore -- Ernie and Gunter came zooming up on their snowmachines.  In the photo below you can also see lots of snowmachine tracks -- those tracks were made by fishermen snowmachining down to the lower Keani to ice fish.



Safe and sound on shore!  After giving us farewell wishes, Gunter and Bridgett get ready to re-cross the lake back to their cabin.

 

Thank you everyone for checking in with us.  Take care -- and even though we measured the ice for our crossing -- if you plan to cross the lake -- re-test the ice -- because conditions change and the weather forecast is calling for warmer weather!

A Re-freeze...

Greetings Everyone!

Since I had mentioned that the lake had opened up because of warm weather and high winds -- I thought you'd like to see that one of our cabin neighbors came across by boat to check on his cabin. The photo below was taken on or about March 9th.

In speaking with one of the old timers - who is familiar with Skilak Lake - I was informed that back in 1944, the lake had opened up - just like we are experiencing this year.  Then, a cold spell with north winds came in and froze the lake 'over night.'

And wouldn't you know the old timer was right?  On March 12th, the lake began to freeze up again and quickly! The temperatures dropped -- giving us a stretch of cold nights, cold days and no winds. Our friend Clancy was planning to come out to his cabin on the 14th by boat -- but the lake was freezing over.  So he had to nix that idea -- and coming across by snow machine was out of the equation.

In the photo below, looking up lake, the lake is refreezing.

As the lake began freezing again -- I took a walk around the island and noticed the Trumpeter Swans had come ashore to check things out.  I snapped the photo below showing one of their tracks.  In following the tracks -- it appeared this swan was 'running' along the shore to gain speed for flight -- because the tracks just disappeared.

 

Since there were no winds -- as the lake froze -- it took on the appearance of a glass mirror. So while we were out walking with Gunter and Bridgett -- we started a game of 'rock curling'.  The game was simple -- just find a semi-flat rock and skid it across the lake's smooth surface.  Ernie and Gunter were able to slide their selected stones quite far out -- but Bridgett was a close third. 

 

Below -- Ernie is back to drilling a water hole so that we can pump water. Now that the lake has had about a week to freeze up again -- we've been hearing the lake make all sorts of noises as it 'makes ice' -- my favorite sounds are the ones that sound like rifle reports.

Not all of the lake is totally frozen - there are some open leads that we can see way across over by the upper landing.  A friend of ours was at the upper landing on Saturday and confirmed what we've been seeing from this side of the lake.  We were also informed by our friends that the lower landing appeared to have open water about 200 yards out from the dock.

On Ernie's birthday -- St. Partricks' Day -- he and Gunter began to test the ice again.  They started over on the southwest side and went along the shoreline -- getting readings anywhere from 12 to 16 inches -- until they reached about 200 yards from the lower landing -- there they began to get 6 inch readings and then 3 inches.  So they stopped and didn't get over to the lower landing. 

For Ernie's birthday -- Gunter and Bridgett came for dinner -- Bridgett made a yummy carrot cake!  Afterwards, we settled down and watched "The Last of The Mohican's".

While I was out walking yesterday, I came across a dome ridge that had formed close to shore across from Vince's place.  The dome is surrounded by water and is hollow.

 

Take care - and thank you for checking in!

Would you believe??

Greetings Everyone!

For the past few days we've been having high winds and warm weather.  So -- with all that in mind, it's no wonder the lake is opening up more and more.  Below you can see how much the lake is now open -- this photo was taken in front of Clancy's cabin.  to think - just a few days ago when Clancy was here --- the open water was slowly making its way to his dock.  As you can now see - the water has arrived.

In fact, a fellow islander came across the lake by boat to check on his cabin which is on the North side.  You can see Round Island just to the upper left.  No ice on the lake -- well, just in front along the shore line  -- but not significant.

The photo below -- was taken on the South side in front of Tater's cabin -- all open water.  For anyone into 'snow machine boating' -- and brave enouch to try crossing the lake -- would be a fool. 

With all the recent winds -- gusting to 45 MPH -- we've not been taking many long walks.  We've been relaxing -- reading and playing cards.  Yesterday we took a nice hot sauna -- while we waited for our pizza dough to rise.  Afterwards, we had yummy pizza -- and yes, played more cards.

I sure miss not being able to go snow machineing to explore.  Oh well.  I did see a hare yesterday -- its ears were beginning to turn brown -- but with all the melting and very little snow about -- the poor thing stood out like a sore thumb. Its sure to become a meal for an owl or hawk.

Take care and thank you for checking in!

 

Melting Daze!!

Greetings Everyone!

Life on the island is continuing to be interesting.  For starters, our computer was experiencing problems - so its taken me a couple of days to work out the glitches.

With all that said - last Thursday, our friend Clancy and his buddy Arch came out to check on Clancy's cabin.  While visiting with Clancy, we learned that Arch turned 49 on Thursday. Happy Birthday Arch!!

They had planned to stay until Sunday -- but with the warm weather and the ice conditions changing, they decided to leave Saturday.  One of the deciding factors was the open water that was slowly making its way to in front of Clancy's cabin.

 

 

On Saturday, Ernie and Gunther checked the ice conditions way over to the east -- by Anderson's Reef.  The ice had melted an inch and there were more open leads. However, all looked good all the way to the lower landing.

Then on Sunday, Gunter and Bridgett decided to make a run into town on a few errands -- and while they were gone - the winds began to picked up in the late afternoon -- blowing up to 25 MPH.  On Monday, they informed us there were a number of open 'holes' in the lake -- some with water and others that one couldn't tell if the holes had water or just ice.  They had to return home way over to the east along the shore because both sides of Anderson's Reef had opened.  Subsequently, Gunter determined he no longer felt comfortable crossing the ice.

On Tuesday - we took a walk over by the 100 ft right of way -- down from Tater's place -- and the lake was slowly 'eatting' its way through the ice by Swan Cove.

 

So -- now we will all have made the decision to stay put.  Yesterday, Ernie and I walked around the island to see what work the winds had done.  The above photo is Ernie standing on the shore -- in front of Clancy's cabin -- as you can see there is quite a bit of open water and soft ice behind him.

Oh -- yesterday -- there was a little moose at the back of our cabin.  Not Maggie -- we believe she is now off the island.  This is a new little moose.  She's very skittish and took off when she heard us come out of the cabin.  Besides doing chores -- we took some time to play with Kirby's outdoor motor boat.  Real snazzy!! Below is the object of our laughter as we prepare to launch it in two feet of water.

Take care Everyone!