The big Sled Dog race is coming!

The first weekend in February is the big event!

http://bayfield.org/festivals_events_sled_dog.php

Ice Caves not open yet...

Conditions are not yet allowing access to the Ice Caves north of Bayfield Wi. But there is the hope that with some colder weather it may be possible. You can check by going to this link below:

http://www.nps.gov/apis/mainland-caves-winter.htm

Lone Ice Shanty

That tiny dot on the ice is a lone shanty. It's Sunday afternoon and if it's occupied you can assume a few things. One the fisherman likes to be alone and two, he isn't a Packers fan.

What to do in winter?

When the channel freezes over in front of Bayfield what to do? You get out the wind kite and ski around on the ice! And if you can't kite ski you can take the Wind Sled over to Madeline Island across the ice. Or XC ski around on the shoreline. Or Ice Skate on Bayfield's town rink. Or you can sit in the Pier Restaurant and just look out the window at the frozen expanse and enjoy!

Deep Winter

We are into winter now, the channel is frozen solid and the deer are out searching for food. They need to eat often to keep their body heat going strong. In the channel is a tiny village shanty town of fisherman looking for the great catch. A nice lake trout for dinner would be nice.

Almost done for Ferry Service until breakup

http://madferry.com/

The ice is getting thick and the ferry is really working hard to get back and forth.

This might be it for ferry service for awhile. Hopefully the islanders have their cars on the mainland for the winter. The windsled above is the transportation over the ice when the ferry service is shut down until a ice road for cars is open. If the ice is able to freeze thick enough

this season.

More nice sleds

Sleigh and Cutter parade

The Sleigh and Cutter Parade was at the Great Lake Center Saturday. Each year the Northwoods Harness Club shows their antique sleds. The Great Lakes center is just west of Ashland Wi. on Highway 2.

http://www.northerngreatlakescenter.org/

Into the middle of winter

A few inches of snow in Bayfield area last night and cold. Winter is here and will stick around for awhile. Love it or hate it. We do enjoy winter in Wisconsin, we like a white Christmas and snow for outdoors sports. But when the seed catalogs start arriving we do start thinking of spring. The snow and ice is very scenic. The channel is now frozen and the Bayfield harbor is all iced over quite good. Will we be able to drive on the ice road again this year? What a thrill that is to enjoy.

Everybody coming to Bayfield should try it at least once. Where else can you drive over a few hundred feet of water to a island? Very few places in the country have such a thing.

Happy New Year

The start of a New Year! I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell everybody what may come this year. It may be good to know or bad? The picture today is the open channel in front of Bayfield. Will it freeze this winter well enough for a ice road? How long will the ferry run? What is to come for this winter? All questions we do not know. NOAA is saying below average this winter for temperatures. So far not cold enough to freeze the channel. Chequamegon Bay is frozen however.