Ice Magic

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: The Bridge to Fantasy Land

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Campground Wonderland

 

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Crystal Forest

 

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Crystal Sentinels

 

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Into the Mysterious

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Lions Park By The Madison

 

Photo by Ken W. Hall  Title: Snow People In The Park

It was three below zero this morning when Ken headed out camera in hand.  He never got any further than the bridge at Lions Park.

There is an amazing and magical quality to water and everything that surrounds it when the temperatures drop so low.

I am not sure it ever got much above ten degrees today.  We did get some sunshine this afternoon.

  

Changing Channels

As you can tell by the first photo the Madison River has shifted and the channel at the campground in Ennis is gone. The ice is about four feet deep.

The second picture was taken a few days ago when the river gorged and created a new path through the campground.

We have had warmer than normal temperatures the past few days.  So, we have been out gathering wood and stocking up on supplies.

Temperatures are expected to drop again this week and we could get a little snow in the process.

Today we delivered some things to Helena.  It was thirty-two here and twenty-two in Helena.

Warming Up

It was forty degrees when we left for Bozeman Thursday morning.   It was mostly cloudy with light snow and rain mixed. 

In Bozeman temperatures were in the mid thirties. It felt like springtime.  This photo was taken when we came into town just as the sun was about to set.

Today it is spectacular!  The sun is shinning and the wind is silent.  We are out the door to gather kindling for the fire place and store our deck furniture.

Wish you were here.

River Road

 

The Madison River gorged this past week.  These photos were taken at the campground and fishing access just across the bridge downtown.  As you can tell the road is now the river.

When the ice backs up the river overflows its banks.  It almost always fills this campground.  The area behind the car is next to the highway.  The water filled a space that is about six feet deep.

The water spreads out all over the land and covers miles an miles.  It is quite something to see.

We got a little snow last night.  Today the wind is blowing again but temperatures are in the high twenties.It was three below in Bozeman this morning but we were in the mid teens.

Children at Play

Photo by Ken W. Hall    Title: Family Gathering

 

Photo by Ken W. Hall    Title: Children at Play

When Ken and I ventured out on Wednesday deer were everywhere.  Ken could not resist taking these with the sign reading "Children at Play".

I think it got up to about fourteen yesterday when I went out in search of eggs.  It was a calm day and everyone was happy to feel warmer temperatures.

The cold weather slowed egg production.  I will have to wait a couple of days.

This morning it was above zero with strong winds and lots of clouds.  Real temperature is in the low teens but the wind makes it feels much lower.

The ice on the windows in the house is thawing.  The streets have large patches of packed snow and ice.

About Twenty Below Zero

It was somewhere around twenty below zero when we got up this morning.  I went out to feed the birds and the hair in my nose froze as I stepped outside the door.

In these temperatures you must keep your pets inside.  I always feel sad for the wild animals even though I know they were designed to withstand the cold.  I guess it is that mother instinct.

I trust you will forgive me for not providing a more scenic photo.  This one is the window in my office.  It has metal and freezes in these temperatures.

Perhaps in the next day or two we can get you something more fun to view.  One more night this cold then tomorrow it may get up to five or six.

Bracing For The Cold

The high today was six degrees.  The wind shield is somewhere between twenty and thirty below zero.

We are bracing for the actual temperatures to drop in that neighborhood by Tuesday.

The snow drifts are pretty (as long as you can stay warm inside and just look at them).  Friends out in the country report drifts up to six feet high.

Winter came early this year.

Four Below Zero

 

The thermometer read four below when we got up this morning.  A storm blew through yesterday bringing less than an inch but blowing it everywhere.

Today the sun is shining, the wind is calm and the river has lots of ice floating in it.  I think we got up to twenty degrees today.