Who got the big snow?

It's Fourth of July in February

Bayfield has a unexpected boom this year due to the Polar Vortex. You can walk to the Sea Caves this year. Thousands are coming to the area to do just that. It's a influx of tourists not normally seen in February. Motels are full, restaurants are busy. The Chamber of Commerce said it's a 5 million dollar boom. There are visitors from all over the world. Word of mouth and postings on Social Media are fueling the interest. Stories on the Weather Channel and Nightly News. Pictures in Newspapers around the Midwest. The above shot taken by the National Park Service shows just hundreds of people treking to and from the caves. I did the trek in the 90's and it was never like this!
We have some real gems right in our own backyard.

The vast frozen lake

For the first time since 1996 Lake Superior is mostly frozen. Just a section along the Minnesota North shore remains open. The Sea Caves north of Bayfield are getting great attention this year in the news. I've even seen them featured on the Weather Channel and the National News. We have these gems right in Wisconsin's backyard. Now the outside world is seeing them too and maybe even making special trips to Bayfield.

Lake Superior ice

Alot of ice around the Apostle Islands this year. The Sea Caves are making the news even on a national level. The lake is about 80% ice this winter to date. A real old fashion winter.

Sea Caves are open

Sled Dog Race Feb 2nd!

http://bayfield.org/aisdr

Cold and snow, its a real Bayfield Winter this year!

Quiet and white

It may be grey and nothing but white snow but then comes the blue sky winter day that is wonderful. A new year is upon us already and then I begin to plan for activities and trips around the big lake. Winter festival comes next in Bayfield. Anybody for a polar plunge?

Big snow in Ashland Wisconsin

Three feet of lake effect snow like in winters old! Big storm over the last weekend. And more coming for Christmas! It's a real winter this year!

Whats going on with the weather?

Why is it so cold? This year the jet stream is bringing us cold air right out of the north. This brings alot of fluffy snow and even lake effect snows. The weather service doesn't have a clear focus how this winter will go? They called it equal chances of colder or warmer. In other words they don't know. But so far it's very cold and snowy. This is a positive for some who love winter. Skiing will be better and folks on snowmobiles will be happy. Ice fishing will be safer then prior years. Might be a good year for the ice road to Madeline Island. The polar plunge this year could be VERY cold.