Winter has finally come to the North Country. Not to be confused with the country north of here which would be Canada. For the United States (as long as they're still united) we are the northern edge and a lot of Canada actually lies south of us.
The transition to winter was quite abrupt this year occurring in less than two weeks. We had a windy day on the lake, but the day after was still good enough to get some pictures. When the skies clear, the temperature drops, and the dusk can get kind of pretty. Click on the pics to embiggen.
Even after the sun went down there were still some waves rolling in. There were quite a few photographers and people wandering around, but being that it is off-season for tourists, most of them were locals. The colors get more intense this time of year.
Then it was the Supermoon rising in the east. At this time of year it is also called Hunter's moon, Frosty moon, or Full Beaver moon (I know what you're thinking!). It was big and bright and I am sure you saw many pictures of it. This is one shot from across the harbor and over Coast Guard Point.
This is also the time of year when shipping tends to stay closer to shore in order to avoid the heavier winds out on the lake. I am not sure, but this looks like the Indiana Harbor, which is a thousand footer with a 105 foot beam. Sometimes I can identify them by their profile.
Then we had a howling blizzard last Friday night and had to play at the Winterer's Gathering dance at North House Folk School. Travel wasn't recommended, but about fifty people showed up. Last year it was about 200. Winds were gusting to 50mph and the temperature was around freezing, so the precipitation varied from snow to freezing rain and back again. It added a challenge to the evening. It snowed again yesterday and added a little more and made driving more exciting than most would prefer. It looks kind of pretty this morning here on the farm.
It is definitely winter now and will be for the next few months.
People have their favorite music for the holidays and my favorite for this one is Alice's Restaurant. It is about 18 minutes long, but tells a great story. At about the same time this came out I started driving and turning into a grownup. I'm almost one now. Maybe just a few more years.
Happy Thanksgiving to us here in the United States!
All of your photos today are frame worthy! I remember those challenging driving conditions. I miss the pretty scenery with the first snow fall, but not the treacherous roads.
anne marie, I think I was about 16 when that song first came out, but didn't start really listening to it until about 2 years later in college. A great story.
Sioux, Well, maybe, but I suppose it's doubtful. Don't they call it Peter Pan Syndrome?
Debra, My old friend Mark and I performed The Pause of Mr. Clause, another of Arlo's tunes in front of 500 people when we were college freshman. We were scared shitless! Thanks,eh!
Pixel Peeper. Thanks! Everyone living in this climate forgets how to drive in it every year. It all has to be relearned.
Shoshanah, Y'all are so far south of here you still have autumn. Think I might revert back to childhood entirely. I'm not back in diapers yet, but I understand the transition is complete at that time.
jenny_o, Those colors are unenhanced. That was exactly what it looked like for a few minutes that evening. Just happened to be there at the right time. The Turkey was delicious. We spatchcocked (butterfly cut) the turkey for a much shorter cooking time.
Jennifer, Thanks! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, too.
Bill, You are right in that it is of indigenous origin, but I can't draw what I picture because I'm not much of an artist. Besides, I doubt anyone wants to see that here.
Your yard is so lovely with the fresh snow. Amazing colour in those pictures. That freighter just blows me away. So long and wide. What does it haul and from/to where? Iron ore? Grain?
Beautiful photos, as always! Winter still hasn't settled in here, and we're hoping it waits just a little bit longer.
And thanks for the chuckle from your last couple of lines: "I'm almost one now. Maybe just a few more years." Don't be in a rush - I'd hate to be the only one who hasn't grown up yet. ;-)
Gorilla B, I thought they were the ones dropping chemicals into our atmosphere to make all those pretty colors.
Blog Fodder, Primarily iron ore pellets, Western coal, and limestone are the cargoes I am aware of and stays within the Great Lakes.
Diane, Thanks! I wonder what I want to do when I grow up? Maybe sit on top of a mountain giving sage advice to all those who come looking. It might get pretty lonely, though.
Al, Since we are almost into December it is only 4 months of serious winter. I know it can drag on much longer, but it starts to ge above freezing every once in a while by April. The bugs aren't too bad at this time of year either.
Here in S Ontario we have rain, no snow! Which make me happy. I dread that first big snowfall when everyone on the road forgets how to drive in slippery conditions, and most of the dopes haven't even thought about snow tires. Nice pictures, I specially like the second one down. I was still in England at the time of Alice's restaurant.... I think. And as for growing up, don't bother, it takes far too much energy.
you can get anything you want...
ReplyDeletelawdy, we are old enough to remember when that was a hit!
safe driving today, keep warm, and have a gobble gobble day!
You're going to be all grown up in a couple of years?
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you're not overestimating yourself? ;)
Remember today: You can have anything you want... at Alice's Restaurant (excepting Alice).
Have a great Thanksgiving. (And your second photo could be wonderful enlarged and framed.)
I remember when "Alice's Restaurant" was a hit too! Great song. Stay warm, eh?
ReplyDeleteAll of your photos today are frame worthy! I remember those challenging driving conditions. I miss the pretty scenery with the first snow fall, but not the treacherous roads.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Still no snow in the south of Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your pictures. I hope you never grow up. It's not a requirement, is it?
Excellent choice of music!
ReplyDeleteThose photos are fantastic. The yellows are especially nice.
And I meant to wish you a happy turkey day :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteFull Beaver Moon? I'm thinking of a Native American brave. Isn't that what everyone is thinking? (Blinks)
ReplyDeleteanne marie, I think I was about 16 when that song first came out, but didn't start really listening to it until about 2 years later in college. A great story.
ReplyDeleteSioux, Well, maybe, but I suppose it's doubtful. Don't they call it Peter Pan Syndrome?
Debra, My old friend Mark and I performed The Pause of Mr. Clause, another of Arlo's tunes in front of 500 people when we were college freshman. We were scared shitless! Thanks,eh!
Pixel Peeper. Thanks! Everyone living in this climate forgets how to drive in it every year. It all has to be relearned.
Shoshanah, Y'all are so far south of here you still have autumn. Think I might revert back to childhood entirely. I'm not back in diapers yet, but I understand the transition is complete at that time.
jenny_o, Those colors are unenhanced. That was exactly what it looked like for a few minutes that evening. Just happened to be there at the right time. The Turkey was delicious. We spatchcocked (butterfly cut) the turkey for a much shorter cooking time.
Jennifer, Thanks! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, too.
Bill, You are right in that it is of indigenous origin, but I can't draw what I picture because I'm not much of an artist. Besides, I doubt anyone wants to see that here.
Amazing, awesome beauty. Someday aliens will visit planet Earth just to look at our sky.
ReplyDeleteYour yard is so lovely with the fresh snow. Amazing colour in those pictures. That freighter just blows me away. So long and wide. What does it haul and from/to where? Iron ore? Grain?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, as always! Winter still hasn't settled in here, and we're hoping it waits just a little bit longer.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the chuckle from your last couple of lines: "I'm almost one now. Maybe just a few more years." Don't be in a rush - I'd hate to be the only one who hasn't grown up yet. ;-)
No blizzard yet, but I know it's coming! Let the five month "I Wish I Lived in Florida" campaign begin!
ReplyDeleteGorilla B, I thought they were the ones dropping chemicals into our atmosphere to make all those pretty colors.
ReplyDeleteBlog Fodder, Primarily iron ore pellets, Western coal, and limestone are the cargoes I am aware of and stays within the Great Lakes.
Diane, Thanks! I wonder what I want to do when I grow up? Maybe sit on top of a mountain giving sage advice to all those who come looking. It might get pretty lonely, though.
Al, Since we are almost into December it is only 4 months of serious winter. I know it can drag on much longer, but it starts to ge above freezing every once in a while by April. The bugs aren't too bad at this time of year either.
This song makes me want to claim Art Guthrie as my uncle or grandpa or something. It's so warm-loving and playful.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jono, keep warm. I don't know how you do it. Seems it's winter year round for you.
Yet those yellow skies are gorgeous.
Take good care, my friend.
Here in S Ontario we have rain, no snow! Which make me happy. I dread that first big snowfall when everyone on the road forgets how to drive in slippery conditions, and most of the dopes haven't even thought about snow tires.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures, I specially like the second one down.
I was still in England at the time of Alice's restaurant.... I think. And as for growing up, don't bother, it takes far too much energy.