Thaw

For the first time since we moved here in early November, I ventured out without a winter coat on today, when we went out to do a bit of grocery shopping. Ok, I still wore my toque and sorels, just in case ... I don't take a chance on freezing for anyone!

Better than expected - it was positively pleasant out - sunny and warm (about 8C) - we even drove with the car window open!

As we drove down into the valley, it immediately became apparent that there'd been a great deal of melting of the lake ice, with large pools of melt water lying on top.

While we were out, we stopped at Kinsman Beach to have a look at the lake. It was literally "a look" - no boots-on-the-ground testing - the ice was really mushy and rotten!

The ice-fishers' shacks are still out on the ice, and there've been no newspaper notifications that the White Way (the winter road across the lake ice for light trucks and cars) is no longer viable ... but you wouldn't have caught me out on the ice today, that's for sure!

Here are a couple of photo's I took today. I was trying to capture the water pooling on top of the sheet ice but ended up instead with what I think are some really cool clouds! Just goes to show, no matter how well you plan or check your composition, you can still surprise yourself with what you capture!