Katy Newman said that on Tuesday morning, she woke up in a box of diamonds. The view from her window was full of glittering trees in every direction. Sun sparkled on the hoarfrost; Torch Lake and the Bay gleamed turquoise. I did not see all this splendor, as I was buried in the woods, feeling sorry for myself because I had to go to the dentist.
Fortunately, the dentist is in Elk Rapids, which meant that I had to get out of the house and drive down US 31 through 17 miles of astonishing beauty. I did not have time to stop for even one photo. I was, um, running late. But my self-discipline was rewarded. I got to Elk Rapids with a few minutes to spare, and managed to get these.
I’m positive that some of you got some better photos, and I hope you’ll send them. The hoarfrost melted while I was in the dentist’s chair, but the afternoon was lovely anyway.
Torch Lake Views 
Cindy Lou
March 4, 2010
We had a beautiful hoarfrost here yesterday morn, too…it looks like a fairy land! I do believe spring may be on it’s way after yesterday’s beautiful sunny skies…of course, we usually get a big “St. Patty Day” storm and it’s not unusual to get good ones in April and/or May, but I now have hope! 🙂
Glad I’m not the only one who runs late – I usually tell folks I’ll be there about **ish. I figure the “ish” gets me 10 minutes or so either way!
Gerry
March 4, 2010
I think it’s about time for me to do my annual “Tain’t over til it’s over” post. Mama Nature has a way of reminding us that she’s in charge.
Anna Surface
March 4, 2010
These are beautiful captures of the hoarfrost sparkling the trees with deep blue skies. Sometimes we have to stop to appreciate the diamonds in life. 🙂
Gerry
March 4, 2010
Thank you ma’am.
Fee
March 4, 2010
When I see the beauty that Mama Nature can create with frost, I think of it as my little reward for dragging my sorry carcass out of bed when all the sensible people are still sleeping … then I usually shiver and pull my scarf a little higher.
I often take little short cuts on my walk to work just for the pleasure of crunching over frosty grass.
Gerry
March 4, 2010
I can just see that, too–a lithe figure crunching across the grass, scarf pulled resolutely snug, heading off to work early. I will be the other figure . . . the one straggling along behind, scarf end dragging on the path, camera plastered to face, oblivious to the time . . .
katherine
March 4, 2010
I saw it on the walk to work but I too was running a little late so no photos. BOOHOO (but your photos are very good!)
Gerry
March 5, 2010
Thank you Katherine. Yours would have been better, but we’ll just have to make do. Besides, we’ll always have the memories. Katy says she was really unhappy that she didn’t have her camera, but then she went out to the wee shoemaking shop and there was Sue Swain, and Sue, as is her wont, was wise. “Let’s just be,” she suggested. And so they be’d, standing under the ancient gnarly birch tree, drinking in the vision.
Scott Thomas Photography
March 5, 2010
I never knew about hoarfrost until I went to North Dakota where I got to see it first hand one morning. Nature is always coming up with something new for me to look for.
Beautiful photos and what a beautiful day, too.
Gerry
March 5, 2010
Thanks, Scott. It was, truly, a beautiful day. And the whole rest of the week has been sunny, too! Torch Lake Township is in a communal good mood.
p.j. grath
March 5, 2010
Magical wonderland, Gerry. Thanks for sharing. Today I started thinking about how happy I will be to see Michigan again, even though it will mean the sadness of leaving Florida.
Gerry
March 5, 2010
It’s always good to be home again, but I promise you that you will miss Florida. In spite of our giddy delight with all this sunshine, we all know that Mama Nature isn’t done dumping on us.