Thin Ice

Thin ice didn't discourage this "hard water" sailor (left) on Vasuex Lake last Sunday.

He claimed that there was a good 12 inches of ice there, while at Skaha Lake (above and below), the ice was already breaking up.

I was amazed at how fast the ice boat moved back and forth across the frozen lake.

The sailor told me, if I tried it, it would be the scariest thing I'd ever do. The boat can go four times the speed of the wind.

A 10 mph breeze would send you off at 40 mph. A 20 mph wind would rocket you around at 80 mph!

I settled for a quieter afternoon of photography along Skaha Lake.

The first thing I noticed, as I got out of the car, was the melodic sound of a million tiny plates of ice colliding, like a magnificent wind chime along the shore.

The waves had scattered small bits of ice onto the surface of the frozen lake.

I don't know if was the tinkling sound of the ice or the beauty of the sun on the lake, but I soon found myself singing aloud, in spite of the bitter wind that froze my hands and face.

The ice that lay scattered showed a variety of smooth and jagged forms, which glimmered like some unusual, and very expensive jewels.

Though winter is certainly not over, there are promising signs of what is to come, when the lake will again be busy with boats that don't skate on its surface.

Until next time...

Have a great week!
Todd

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