I’ve been fascinated by the patterns of the freezing rivers lately. The rivers have been donning their winter garb of ice and snow, settling in for the long freezing days and nights.
Yesterday I photographed the Silver River as it passed under Townline Road, but today drove a little distance up Skanee Road to wander along the river through the woods. How it meanders! How the river dances around this bend and those rapids, never stopping, always moving. Until ice renders it deceptively silent and still. Don’t walk on it yet! In fact, I have never walked on river ice. The currents still run beneath the silent frozen surface.
Years ago I dreamed of falling through the ice on the Silver River, sucked down beneath the hard glass surface, unable to find a way to the hole, unable to find a way back up. It was not a happy dream.
In some places the river looks muddy and brown. If you walk around the curve, it suddenly struts its beauty in stark white. Fascinating patterns swirl everywhere. Rivers of ice exist within rivers of sparkling water.
The camera uploaded more than fifty photos by the time it finished shooting the patterns and swirls. It seemed impossible to pick eight photos to show you. Each one looks so unique, so different. In the end, I just closed my eyes and picked. (Well, not really! But you get the idea…)
We are surrounded by such beauty that we do not notice. I have never before thought of wandering by the riverside documenting the freezing of river ice. Why don’t we think to do such things?
There are rumors that a big snow storm is headed for the Upper Peninsula. Maybe tomorrow? Maybe the next day? Some areas may get ten to fifteen inches. Baraga County is part of that warning. You can read about it here if you like. Sigh…winter seems to be starting awfully early this year.
It’s lovely to sit inside when the snow falls. You feel so cozy and peaceful and snug. It’s even fun to put on your warm winter clothes and go outside. What is challenging is when loved ones (or one’s self) need to be on the road. Driving in a snowstorm is no fun. The snow loses its appeal very rapidly.
Back to our discussion of freezing rivers. It’s interesting to get right up close to the edge of the ice. Not too close! You don’t want to fall in. But close enough to linger at the edge of something brand new. Something beautiful. Something we’re going to get to know very intimately during the next four or five months…
19 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 7, 2009 at 10:26 pm
sahlah
I don’t see much river ice – so these pictures are pretty cool. Once in my childhood I remember the Potomac River freezing solid. I was stupid enough to walk across it with my girlfriend Mary Beth. We were lucky, stupid and lucky.
December 8, 2009 at 7:21 pm
centria
Oh, Dawn, I am glad you and Mary Beth made it safely across the Potomac. I think my daughter has a similar tale. Not that we knew about it at the time… I wish that you could enjoy the river ice one of these days.
December 7, 2009 at 10:45 pm
irisofthewayfarer
Hmmm, I have never paid attention to river ice. And we do have some beautiful rivers around here as well.
However, I am always fascinated by the frozen Lake Michigan.
December 8, 2009 at 7:22 pm
centria
Iris, you’ll have to go out and survey the river ice near your house. It is bound to entertain you!
December 7, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Dawn
Beautiful photos. Only 4 or 5 months? I seem to remember at least 6 months of winter! LOL! I always said winter snow wouldn’t be so bad if you could just stay in and watch it. Which is why I don’t think it would be so bad to retire in the north..no need to be at work early every morning! I also didn’t mind it when I could walk to work and dig the car out later.
December 8, 2009 at 7:23 pm
centria
OK, Dawn, you’re right. Our winter IS really six months. I was being optimistic. 🙂 So, yes, you’ll have to plan to retire up here. That way you don’t have to worry about going to work early. I am hoping that school will be cancelled tomorrow so I won’t have to dig out the car in that blizzard.
December 8, 2009 at 7:23 am
p.j. grath
During the years we lived in Leland, Michigan, before a new garage blocked my view of the Leland (formerly Carp!) River, I was very aware of river ice–its forming, color and thickness, breakup in the spring. Your ice angel gave me a happy smile, Kathy. Thanks! We’re supposed to get a big snowfall tonight. Let’s all be very careful out there on the roads!
December 8, 2009 at 7:24 pm
centria
Pamela, I am so glad someone liked the ice angel! Wasn’t it cool? There was another picture, somewhere, of a woman’s figure in the ice. I am wishing you safe driving, as well, as this storm comes upon us.
December 8, 2009 at 7:51 am
Cindy Lou
One of the things I love best about coming here is that you always remind me to slow down and look at the beauty around me!
I, too, have had that dream of being beneath the ice….ughhh! Stay warm and cozy if we get this crazy storm….I DO love a good blizzard! 🙂
December 8, 2009 at 7:25 pm
centria
Cindy, bet YOU are hoping school is cancelled tomorrow! One of the best parts of writing this blog is that it reminds ME every day to slow down and look at the magnificent beauty around us. I think we all have to keep reminding each other.
December 8, 2009 at 11:15 am
gigi
My brother & I walked across a frozen lake when we were in our early teens. Yes, very stupid. We good hear the ice cracking occasionally; luckily it held.
Walking across the bridge this morning, the river was steaming from the cold and freezing more each day! It was -41 C here, at 8ish, with the wind chill. All I want to do is stay home!! Too bad I have to work all week and it’s not getting warmer.
😦
December 8, 2009 at 7:26 pm
centria
Hi gigi! Another ice-walking-survival story. I am happy you and your brother made it across! I wonder if this is a rite of passage that some teenagers have to go through. I am also sorry you have to work all week. When it’s….brrrrr….so darn cold!
December 8, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Gerry
Ah, rivers in winter . . . time to plan another rafting trip on the Jordan!
December 8, 2009 at 7:27 pm
centria
Gerry, a rafting trip up the Jordan in WINTER? Don’t you want to wait until spring? Or preferably summer? (My record of canoeing up the Jordan River just came to mind…)
December 9, 2009 at 10:34 am
Georgia Mom
THE ICE PICTURES ARE INCREDIBLE! THE ANGEL ESPECIALLY. I THINK THERE IS A HIGHER BEING THAT KNOWS KATHY IS COMING FOR HER WALK AND GIVES HER THE INSIGHT TO SEE SO MUCH AND SHARE IT TO ALL OF US.
December 9, 2009 at 11:42 am
centria
That is so sweet!! Thank you, Mom. (I liked the ice angel, too.)
December 7, 2010 at 7:03 am
Elisa's Spot
Pretty!! OOOOO guess what?!?! That band of lake effect snow? Due to the very strong winds, it has extended over to my area of the state! About ten miles west of me has about a foot, we got about 4 inches. Very nice ‘first’ snow, thick and puffy blankets of wonder!
I love watching river ice, as for walking alongside the river at least the large one, it’s frigid and my body quickly calls me insane to wish to be standing in it! I bet photos this morning would be most beautiful though, I wonder if the river is back down to pre-flood levels yet…
December 8, 2010 at 7:57 am
Kathy
Glad you got some pretty thick & puffy snow! I went to the river again yesterday and took ice-freezing pictures. (Your body is a Wise One, Elisa. Do not stand in frigid water. lol!)
December 8, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Elisa's Spot
oops!! face turning brilliant shades of red now….
i toooooooooooold you before I think I need an editor!
I meant standing out in the frigid cold at all….still giggling here….