Less Than Zero

7:17

7:45

7:47

7:45

7:49

A brilliant blue sky, a few clouds, a white lake, and 4º welcome me this morning. When I got up at 6:30, it was still dark but I could see lights moving slowly out into the lake, ice fishermen up early and now, at 7:40, I can see at least 15 guys out, most in tents. We have another winter advisory, meaning we may get 3 to 5 inches of snow between this evening and Sunday afternoon.  

Walking On Frozen Lake

Yesterday was not quite as cold as today, with temperatures rising into the teens in the afternoon, but cold enough so that you didn't want to stay out too long. Around 9:30, I put on my boots and trudged outside, through the foot deep snow to the lake.  I wanted to see if it would be good for skiing but found that it was still soggy, beneath the four or five inches of snow. It's too bad because it would have been a good morning for cross country skiing on the lake, cold but with little wind. 

Chautauqua Creek

Trail To Lake Erie

Just About To Lake Erie

Since skiing on the lake was out, we wanted to do something and ended up deciding to drive a half-hour to Barcelona, on the shore of Lake Erie.  We parked next to the Chautauqua Creek parking area, just off of RT 5 and walked out to the lake on a bumpy, icy path, making Evie wish she had brought her snowshoes. The creek was frozen in areas but was still flowing out to the lake. The lake's edge was filled with small snow/ice hills, a soupy mix of water and ice just beyond.  We did not linger because of the cold and got what we wanted, a view of the frozen shoreline and lake. We stopped at Tops in Mayville to pick up a few things for dinner and were home by 1:00.  

Barcelona Beach On Lake Erie

Ice Along Lake Erie

By 1:15, I was enjoying an egg salad sandwich and watching another episode of The Sopranos and I am finally getting into it as creator David Chase seems to be hitting his stride. I am reading another relationship book by Laura Dave called The First Husband and I have to admit I am into it despite there being no murder or drunken detective to keep me interested. Who will Anna stick with, her old boyfriend or new husband? Time or pages will tell.

Ice Fishing In The Afternoon

Hiking Out Late Afternoon

After our morning drive and hike, we settled into a relaxing afternoon, in no hurry to do anything other than sit around reading, watching TV or making a pot of tea.  Around 5:30, we enjoyed a glass or two of wine as Evie prepped out dinner, steak, mushrooms, baked potato, and a salad.  We enjoyed it while watching a disappointing sequel to The Quiet Place. It ended up being more like a horror film, with three chases going on at once, none of which we cared much about.  How disappointing because we really like the first Quiet Place.  As usual, we then turned to Colbert, who interviewed one of my favorite singers, eighty-one year old Dionne Warwick, then watched another Jeopardy to end the night on a bright note as Amy won once again, 36 in a row.