Ice Fishing - Washington Style

It has been a busy week...taking care of Christmas (like finishing a big quilt that was a gift), visiting family, getting things done around the house while I am home in Washington and just relaxing for a change. No blogging.

While out taking care of some to-do things on my list, the dog needed a quick potty break. Lo and behold, I came across some ice fishermen. Yep, here in Washington they ice fish, too. But you can tell it is a different climate here - no fish houses required like in Minnesota. Hope the fishermen were successful this day!

We don't need no stinkin' fish house!

Good-bye to 2013 today. Let's hope 2014 is a good year for all.

InSPIREd Sunday - Roadside Prayer Chapel

I have noticed this little chapel along US Highway 2 outside of Creston, Washington on my trips back and forth to Spokane. It seems that on my way to Spokane, I am trying to catch an airplane and don't want to risk stopping or the weather has been so ugly that any photos won't do it justice. And on my way home from Spokane, I just want to get home because of being away so much or the weather has been so ugly that any photos won't do it justice.

Yesterday, the weather was foggy and gray when I left the airport in Spokane. I didn't think much about any photography. Plus, I really wanted to be home (haven't been home since the weekend after Thanksgiving).  As I drove westward on US2, the sun finally appeared.  Coming into Creston, I thought about the chapel and decided on a whim to stop. There wasn't that much snow on the ground plus I have a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

The chapel was dedicated in 2007 by Deb and Cheryl Copenhaver along with the help and support of  many friends. It was built using cedar power poles from a Bonneville Power transmission line that ran from Grand Coulee Dam to Spokane. When the poles were replaced with steel towers, the Copenhavers were able to obtain some to help realize their vision to build a chapel.

Roadside Prayer Chapel - Creston, Washington

Bronze Sculpture dedicated to Deb Copenhaver by daughter Deborah Copenhaver-Fellows

Interior of Chapel

Beautiful Poinsettia Tree

I am glad I took the time to stop here.

Merry Christmas to all the Inspired Sunday participants! May your holidays be joyous.

Linking up with InSPIREd Sunday.

InSPIREd Sunday - Lakeview Township

This old church needs some paint desperately. I couldn't find any information on it other than the usual marriage and funeral notices.

Mouse over the photos for the color versions

Lakeview Township Church - Near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Linking to InSPIREd Sunday.

Rurality - New York Mills

Farm near New York Mills, Minnesota

Linking to Madge's Rurality Blog Hop.

Squirrel Update

Sunday afternoon when the temps got about 0º F, the squirrels were out and about, digging through the snow looking for their food caches.

 

Between the squirrels, the ice fishermen and the snowmobilers, there was so much activity going on outside it was hard to concentrate on the football games!

Monday's Barn - Vergas Red

Barn near Vergas, Minnesota

Three Men and a Fish House

This scene is such a far cry from my post on Thursday. Not only did we get about 10" or so of snow this past week, the temperatures have dropped well below freezing, especially when you factor in the windchill.

Yesterday morning I got up and looked out across the lake as the sun was coming up. After I got the coffee brewing and turned the heat up, I noticed activity out on the ice. Yep, the ice fisherman were getting ready for their idea of fun and games.

Here it was, not quite 7:30 a.m., and the outdoor temperature was just under -19 degrees Fahrenheit. In other words - COLD! (Of course, it was chilly inside, too. I don't care for electric baseboard heat!)

I watched two guys with their auger start drilling through the ice.

Drilling the fishing holes

Then came the portable ice house. I think they were set up closer to the shore and decided to move further out closer to the budding fish house village. This fish house is a pop-up tent style contraption.

Fish House "Village"

Here comes the house

Next came their buddy, carrying his gear including a folding chair. You need a place to sit, after all!

Lugging the gear over

I guess after a consultation, another hole was drilled and the fish house repositioned. Then they disappeared inside to start fishing.

We need another hole

Around 11:30 a.m., I looked out again and they had packed up their fish house and were getting ready to leave. Either a) they caught their limit; b) they ran out of hot coffee (or beer); or c) they just got too cold and decided to call it quits. I doubt the answer is "c". These Minnesotans are a hardy bunch. I don't know how they do it.

Calling it a day

The trek back to shore

It has been so cold, my overhead garage door opener has frozen (at least I suspect it has). I will be calling for help on Monday since my vehicle is essentially trapped inside. There is only one entrance into the garage...the overhead door. This is a row of detached garages and none of them have a secondary entrance. Ahhh...winter in Minnesnowta.

InSPIREd Sunday - St. Margaret

St. Margaret's Catholic Church - Lake Henry, Minnesota

Linking to InSPIRED Sunday

Friday's Fences - Bird House

Fence Near Wilbur, Washington

Linking to Jan & Jer's Friday's Fences

Skywatch Friday - Fishing at Sunset

Just a month and few days ago, the lake was still open to fishing from boats. Quite the change from today where I see about ten fish houses set up on the now frozen water.

Fishing At Sunset - Detroit Lake, Minnesota

Linking up this week with SkyWatch Friday and other amazing sky shots.

Rurality - Old Time Filling Station

I took this last winter, but since the snow is falling again here in Minnesota, time to break out my photos with snow. Especially since I haven't been out and about doing much photography.

I would love to stop and learn more about this place that the homeowner has on his property. Was he a former gas station owner or was it a family affair? I am just too shy to do it but I sure do like it!

Gas Station Recreated - Vergas, Minnesota

Linking to Madge's Rurality Blog Hop.