The Other Face

Not too many days ago, the punks were saying they would sure like to go swimming in the lake. They had been working, I think. There are a couple of fairly secluded beaches we enjoy for walking and horsing around in the water. I find it intriguing that there are white sand beaches here.
Our area of the lakefront is unique, there are only two places like it on Lake Michigan. This entire area has a strong pattern of glacial movement, where the glaciers retreated and stopped, retreated and stopped, creating some interesting land features. Then the winds came along, and sculpted and dug and added to the topography. We have a special area that is termed ridges and swales, much of which is in our nearby favorite wildlife area, Woodland Dunes. These ridges and swales (the swales are the low areas between ridges)extend out into the lake, setting up some prime wave action when this sea-like lake turns it's other face.

Driving back from Manitowoc last week, I noticed that the lake was in it's warming-up-for- winter mode - nasty.

Did I ever mention, we are in Harley country? Made in Milwaukee, you know. And every town has a Harley shop. I want one. Harley, not shop. I have NO idea what cages are. Makes ya think, already.

This area, once winter really sets in, and we have a nice stretch of 5 degree weather, will be solid ice. Big pieces break off and are pushed up on top of each other. The houses right on the lake have been damaged from ice floes in the past... The ice will extend 200-300 feet out at times.

The Harley sign was in the Yacht club parking lot. All the boats are in dry dock now, hauled up about a month ago. The car ferry to Michigan stopped running the end of October, too. This lake is nothing to mess with, good weather or bad. A marine history display at the library noted all the shipping wrecks and missing boats over the decades. Impressive. There is a whole diving industry here, taking people down to some of the wrecks.

If you look closely on the horizon, you can see the lake change color, more blue. In the summer, the shore waters are mint green and turquoise, almost tropical. It's a lie. That is one cold lake. There is a line a mile or so out, the turquoise stops and the water turns midnight blue where the deep water starts. There are places considered bottomless in the Great Lakes, especially Lake Superior.

In stormy, wind whipping weather, the shallow shore waters, the ridges and swales, churn up sand and turn the water this milk-chocolatey color.

There is a paved path from Manitowoc to Two Rivers, 12 miles of beautiful lakefront called the Mariner's Trail. During the summer, there are always walkers, bikers, folks on roller blades, joggers, dog walkers...it's a favorite destination for hot evenings, catching the lake breeze.

But summer has been tucked away in memories, and fall weather has thinned the ranks. I only saw two people this day, for understandable reasons. There were actually small snow flakes in the air, a fair storm was on its way in. I got home just in front of it. Sure makes you appreciate that cozy wood stove.