Monday, February 20, 2006

Breaking ice Madeline Island Ferry trip.


This photo was taken from the island looking toward Bayfield. This is our ride home.




Today was a first. Although I've made many trips to Madeline Island on the ferry this was the first trip "breaking ice". It was cold and noisey but great fun. My wife and I went to Madleine island for lunch. Two bowls of soup a glass of wine and a Rolling Rock. Took lots of photos met and old friend on the island. The fire in the fire place and large leather couches were very inviting unfortunately there was a ferry to catch. That last one off the island for the day.

8 comments:

Kathleen Callon said...

Love the ice cracking pic. Looks like you two had an adventure. I'd have been scared. Hope all is well.

Mr. Guesa said...

Those pictures are amazing! Ever get down toward South America?

Shutterwi said...

hamburger

No but it has always been a dream of mine to go to Belem.

My Dad spent a year during WW II on the Amazon river in a U.S. Navy radio station.

Shutterwi said...

Kat

It was a great day.

This ferry and 3 others like it make trips between the mainland and the island from "iceout" usually late March or early April to "freeze up" usually early January.

After freeze up and depending on the ice condition they then run a windsled that only take passengers.

Then if the weather is cold enough and the ice stabilizes then they open an iceroad.

This is the time a year when the islander move everything they can on and off the island.

I have taken the iceroad many times it is well maintained and "safe".

I doubt they will have an iceroad this year.

Although I have never taken the windsled I hoping to do that yet thsi season if it runs. Pictures will follow.

Kathleen Callon said...

By ice road, you mean you can drive across it? That would really scare me. When I was in elementary school a girl in my class and her sister were playing on the ice and her sister fell through and didn't make it. Before that I loved to ice skate and run and slide across the ice, but ever since I've been too afraid to go on it. It's my only phobia.

Shutterwi said...

Kat

Yup. A legal WI state road. It's marked with old xmas trees. Plowed and maintain. The entrances get sloppy from the road salt.

It sound like you've given me another photo assignment. Picture(s) of an ice road for Kat.

You're lucky if you only have one phobia.

W

Kathleen Callon said...

Just remembering the pics of the truck they retrieved. Be careful. Hope all is well.

Shutterwi said...

Kat

It's amazing the attitude ajustment that takes place when one sees the roof of a pickup truck flush with the ice.

W