Earlier this week the temperatures warmed up and it felt like March.  The compacting snow was making the ski trails fast.  The sun was shining, the snow was melting and the lake was beginning to speak to us.  It's strange, even eerie - the long, low, glubbing sounds of the lake as the water moves under the ice.  I hear it clearly when outside, but in the house I have to tune in to catch it.  Bob, on the other hand, must be more in tune with the low tones as the lakespeak can wake him late at night.

   As the week progressed the temperatures turned colder and the weather predictions called for a 20% chance of snow.  Usually I hate it when the forecasters are wrong - this time I loved it!!  It began snowing on Wednesday with just a dusting, Thursday brought another inch or so, then Friday 4-5 inches, Saturday morning 2 more and by Sunday another 2+.  In all we've gotten about 8-10 inches in the past week.  The ski trails are in fabulous shape!   (Oh, and I forgot to mention that this morning we got the report that Grand Marais got 2 feet! Wow!)

Last weekend Bob and Jaret went out for a snowmobile ride.  They found this small Jack Pine with a fairly fresh Moose Rub.  For those that don't know what I mean  - Bull moose grow a complete set of antlers each year beginning in late spring early summer.  As they grow they are covered in a velvety skin that provides nutrients.  As they near completion, the blood supply dries up and the velvet starts to drop off.  The moose will rub their antlers on trees or brush to remove the velvet as it dries. 

  Back at the feeder this year, after successfully evading the hunters, one Whitetail Buck had a different set of antlers.  Since this picture he has dropped his antlers, but we have yet to find them.

  The 4th annual winter tracks festival is approaching and the website is up and running with the full schedule of activities at www.wintertracks.com.  Its a great festival, but should be even better this year with all of the great snow.   We still have openings - so start planning now!

     Happy New Year!!  It’s been a great winter so far.  The snow and weather have been great!  Bob took the kids on the lake just out front of our place Monday to show them how to build a Quinzie Hut.  They made a big pile of fluffy snow – no chunks or snowballs, then let it sit several hours. Later they came back and carved out an entry and hollowed out the inside.   

     It’s large enough for the kids to crawl in.  I don’t know if we’ll be brave enough to try camping overnight in it though.  They put pine boughs around it so people would realize it’s not just a big lump of snow.   Over the winter the new snows, sun, wind and temperature changes should strengthen it .  So if you’re in the area feel free to stop by and check it out!

     The skiing has been great lately.   I’ve been out a couple times and this evening Bob even went for an evening ski on the Ham Lake Trail.  Surprisingly enough the ski trail and surrounding trees were totally unaffected by the Ham Lake Fire of this past summer.