Snowshoeing to Sadie Lake

We had more clear, cold weather than we typically do this winter.  We ended up with about 4 feet of snow.  That sounds like a lot until you remember that our big year was 37 feet and we used to always get 15 to 20 feet.  We now keep a patch of snow on the deck we call our "village white".

The boardwalk out to "The Point", one of the lodge's cabins.

We snowshoed over to the townsite where we met up with John and Jeanne.

At the townsite.

Heading up to Sadie Lake with John and Jeanne and the shadow of Jen's head.

The trail goes through the woods in places and without a lot of snow we had a lot of bushwhacking to do.

A lot of the hike goes through the muskeg--which was frozen solid under the snow.

Lunch Time!

The trail became problematic after lunch, so we decided to head back.  (The problem was that we couldn't find the trail!)

Headed downhill.

Although we couldn't find Sadie Lake, we did manage to find Baranof Lake!

Documenting our discovery.

The Baranof River (normally raging down to the waterfall) was very low and sedate!

Sunset back at the lodge!

Lodge Chores

Here are some random photos from some of the different chores we do over the winter...

The hike up to the hydro intake is steep and challenging in places!

I often have to make this trip in the middle of the night when the intake gets blocked by ice, but sometimes we go up just to check things out.  There are places where snowshoes help.  (This is not one of those places...)

Climbing up on the dam to access the intake.

Clearing ice from the intake.

All Clear!

With the intake clear, the lights stay on!  (The blue lights in the background are on a Coast Guard cutter that anchored in the bay for a few days.

Cooling the new batch of yogurt under the careful supervision of Feral Bueller.

I took advantage of the clear weather to cut some firewood.

Next step--carry the rounds to chopping block.

Splitting

Making firewood fly!

Feral ready to pitch in with breakfast cleanup (we've learned from our friend Midge that this wide eyed behavior is called "Groaking").

Ice is Nice!

Running water is overrated!!!  With mid-February approaching, we find ourselves in a cold snap that's lasting much longer than usual.  It's been ten days since our waterlines froze and the weather forecast for the next week (as far out as they go) showing no sign of things warming up.  Luckily, we have been able to keep the power running and there is a hot springs bath house a short skiff ride or hike away!

Even though there is no running water in the house, the lights are still on!!!

Sadie Creek (the source of our water and power) is flowing mostly under ice these days!

There are lots of beautiful ice formations around.

This is the hydro shed where we generate power.  

Lots more ice around the exhaust (water which has powered our Pelton Wheel).

 Ice Everywhere!

Downstream from the hydro exhaust

The hydro exhaust is also where "we" fill 5-gallon buckets with water to use in the house.

Here "we" are, lugging 80 pounds of water to the house!

Almost there!

Here "we" are enjoying the fruits of our water gathering labors!  We need lots of water as the hydro-electric controller diverts excess power to the water heaters.  As water boils off, we need to top up the tanks so we can keep the power at 60 cyles.  We also use the water to drink, wash dishes, and in extreme conditions--we can bathe in it!  

At the start of the cold snap, we had winds gusting to 60 which caused waves in the bay to slop up on the dock.  That is an ice-encrusted cleat on the left.

An interesting ice formation caused by the waves.

Nice Ice!

Everything close to the water got iced in!

Ice has also been forming around the edges of the bay.

Looking towards the dock from the deck.

Looking towards the deck from the dock!

The Coast Guard cutter Anacapa came in to visit the hot springs.

Some of our gravel paths are now covered with frozen ground water.

"Has anybody seen the cat?"  She's never around at meal time....

Feral Bueller editing this blog post.

If I need to find Feral, I start a game of solitare.  Within seconds, she's there pointing out possible plays.  The fact that there is food around is just coincidental!  (Note: Rick is considering auditioning for a part as the Geico Caveman if he can get hair to grow a little higher on his face!)

Carniverous Squirrels and Other Critters

As we approach mid February, we're still experiencing some winter!  Our running water froze about a week ago.  (We could get the water running but it's still too cold at night to switch to our backup line, because it would probably freeze again!)  Ice photos are on their way from our photography director.  Here are a few critter photos from around the lodge.

We were a little surprised when the red squirrel from our "Squirrel Tree" took a break from picking seeds out of spruce cones and came over to dine on turkey bones.

We saw a lot of the squirrel for a few days until a mink or marten found the bones one night and took them all!

Of course, we see lots of Bald Eagles around the bay.  They're eating mostly ducks this time of the year.

We have lots of Red Breasted Merganzers skimming the water in front of the lodge.

The Merganzers like to haul out on rocks on a falling tide.

Great Blue Herron in the tree top.

This Felis Catus is very interested in a crab picking operation!