Winter Inspiration: Apostle Ice Caves in Wisconsin
December 09, 2016 |
| Apostle Islands - ice caves in Wisconsin |
Apparently we are in for another historic deep freeze,
and I can't say I'm that torn up about it since
I just want to get my stay-at-home-Gypsy on
like Donkey Kong INSIDE, visit blogs,
bake bread, and simmer holiday spices on the stove.
I have shared gorgeous photos of ice caves in Wisconsin
before (Apostle Islands), and they are located not too
far from where we live.
The photos you see here are not by me,
and most were taken by Philip Schwarz.
Let's return to the caves (also called sea caves)
and daydream a little about walking across
the ice, camera in hand.
photo of me by Melissa James Studio (on a stinkin freezing day at a lake in wisconsin)
How do you function in extreme weather?
I was out in it yesterday and could not
get warm or stop shivering when I returned home!
Usually this is the only remedy that works:
but without the excessive violence, cocaine,
and immorality.
BTW, that's an unhealthy
volume of Mr. Bubble there, Mr. Montana.
Back to the PG-13 frigid weather story
(but did you see where my mind went there
with "the snow?!?").
These ice caves at the Apostle Islands on the Wisconsin
coast of Lake Superior blow my mind with their splendor.
Maybe this year, it will get cold enough so that it
will be safe enough for trekking over the frozen lake to visit
the ice caves.
How does an ice cave come to be?
The caves are the result of a cool autumn and
winter polar vortexes where freeze and thaw cycles
create an otherworldly fantasyland.
And to think that to get to the caves,
you must walk on water!
What a treat!
Except for the part
you must walk on water
which may or may not support your weight after
baking my Christmas cookie recipe from yesterday.
...said no yoga pants or pajama jeans EVVVERRRR.
Just thinking about traipsing over a long expanse
of frozen lake has my anxiety flaring.
Dammit...yes!
I mean...no!
We'll fall through the ice before we reach the caves!
We obviously need additional incentive
to forego cheese fries and experience arctic planetary nirvana.
Is this not magnificent in its Titanic-esque wonder?
One begins to see what all the fuss is about, and
one seriously considers dieting and braving
a polar vortex
to capture such images.
Yet one weighs the cost of foregoing Taco Bell
to make the 2-mile skate across the lake for
the frozen Apostle Islands spectacle.
Would you, could you, hike to the ice caves...or
Skillet Cheese Fries with Bacon (and how nifty to serve them from the cast iron?)
Gasp!
Whatever your winter weather wish may be,
I wish you zero calorie taco supremes,
starry nights in ice caves,
red-carpeted home offices with giant chairs,
warm bubbly baths under full moons,
and
winter heavens wearing an exalted simplicity
(paraphrasing John Burroughs, sort of).
Peace to you right where you are.
3 comments
Hi Michele- I'm fairly new to your blog and just wanted to say how much I look forward to your posts! I am a young 50ish :) woman who lives with her family in the Chicago area- I grew up in WI and absolutely love the caves! Your photography is stunning, your design sense speaks to my soul and your writing style inspires me and causes me to reflect and pray for all of us...the Girls doing LIFE in this wonderful crazy time. So, thanks for being my blogger friend. Love you!
ReplyDeleteAli! I'm so glad you are part of the tribe. I wish I could take credit for the photography, I'm gonna need you to take me to the caves so I can get my own shots. Maybe it'll get cold enough! Thank you, friend. xox
DeleteAmazing work of art by Mother Nature.
ReplyDeleteSheila
Your comments add to the beauty...thanks in advance for your kindness.