Photos and notes from on the road. A biologist at heart. A 'retired' network administrator and lifelong photographer. Living in Ashland Wisconsin on Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay.
Panoramic photo of Chequamegon Bay taken 05/01/13 from the overlook just west of Chequamegon Hotel on the north side of US Highway 2. The far left of the photo is looking toward the west-southwest (the head of the bay). The far right of the photo is looking east-southeast toward Ashland Ore Dock undergoing demolition. The center of the photo is looking west-northwest toward Washburn WI.
This photo was taken today from the same spot as the panoramic view above was taken. This is the current state of demolition of the ore dock. Note the distance from shore and the backhoes near the southern (shore) end.
Sunny day, deep snow and great moments of fish biting everywhere. If you had the touch or were lucky to have a fishing buddy who did you went home with fish.
One of the many plowed roads that lead somewhere on the bay. In this case due east toward the break wall.
Demolition as seen from the north end of the dock.
Demolition as seen from the north end of the dock.
Demolition continues from the shore working out the dock. View from the west.
The USGS Research vessel KIYI. In it's winter berth west of the ore dock.
Future winter berths are going to be much different without the protective wall of the ore dock. Protection from NE storms will be gone. The micro-climates resulting from the massive concrete heat sink will be gone. Additionally the camping area to the west of KIYI's berthing area will never be the same for the same reason. I believe that this micro-climate change will impact the entire community.
Early ice fishing. Some are driving vehicles. I prefer a little more ice. For now this is my way on and off ice. If the cold weather holds out we should be driving by next week. It is shaping up to be a great season. For now the bay has 9 to 12" of ice with little or no snow cover.
Setup and fishing.
This was a great early ice fishing day. It has been a couple of years since the "brothers-in-laws" have been ice fishing together. Hopefully we will get to do this more often.
Ice fishing isn't only about catching fish. It's about enjoying the day and the company. Having fun is always in the cards.
A view to the Northwest. Looking toward Washburn Wisconsin.
Captured air bubbles in this early season black ice.
It doesn't get much better than this. A great way to end a day out on Chequamegon Bay. And yes we did catch some fish.
Here is where the work day starts for the crew members who are working up on the top. The day begins with a nice long high climb up the open scaffolding stairs. I'm guessing the wooden build at the top is a break/lunch/management building.
A view of the east side outer end of the dock. Those who are familiar with the oredock's appearance will notice the difference.
They have started demolition by lowering each individual chute one at a time. It appears that they are not detaching them completely at this time.
If my information is correct the overall height of the oredock is 90 feet. If that is the case then follow down the set of stairs from the top (seen at just below the 2nd tower from the end).
At the bottom of the steps is a gangway with a guard rail. Below the gangway (I'm guessing now) is the opening from the hoppers up above.
Below that area are the chutes that have been lowered down. The chutes are probably about 40-45 feet long.
From this view you can see, on the lower half, 2 or 3 brown support columns. To the right and left of them are the lowered chutes.
You can see the backhoe operator it this shot. Seventy five feet up on a structure "that's not safe and need to be torn down" ..... nice job. There is not enough money to get me in that backhoe.
If you look closely at the end of the backhoe arm you can see what I believe is an hydraulic winch. My guess is that they attach the winch to the upper end of a chute then "cut it loose" and winch it down allowing it to pivot down to a hanging position. In the picture below you can see six lowered chutes (right) and one raised chute on the left.
This shot gives you the whole picture. From top to bottom.. backhoe and operator, stairway down to gangway, the opening from the hoppers above, the hanging chutes, the dock base and finally 4 men working on the ice cleaning up debris from the lowering of the chutes.
This is a view from the west side of the oredock. I am parked on the ice road we use to get off and on the bay.
Here is the ice road looking toward shore at Kreher Park landing.
Maiden voyage for 2012. As usual more equipment than needed yet still missing some key things. Notice my new high tech Arctic Armor float suit. Not something you want to have to use but safety first. Visit this website to see how it "works".
The day started out perfect. Sunny, cold and clear. It soon turned to cloudy and overcast.
Setup and fishing. This is one of our favorite spots. A GPS is a wonderful thing. We return to this site year after year and it most always produce fish. Today I out fished my nephew that rarely ever happens. GLOAT GLOAT.
A view looking SW toward Xcel Power Plant.
My nephew Skip. Who caught less fish than me. Gloat gloat. Boy I'm going to pay for gloating. But considering the score is probably Skip 1000, Unk 1. I'm enjoying the win.
