It’s Sunday evening and sure enough there’s email from Babs Young. This time she writes from Boyne City on, as she says, “this beautiful sunny Sunday in January in Northern Michigan.” Here you have a fine example of the sort of thing we get up to in the depth of winter while the snowbirds are lolling about in Florida and Mobile. We make ice fountains, the bigger the better. We make ’em in our front yards, we make ’em by the side of the road, and in Boyne City, they made a really big one in the park.
This is exactly the sort of winter day I remember from a childhood in northern Wisconsin. Sunshine! Blue skies! Brilliant snow! Cold as the far side of the moon! Exhilarating.
Posted in: Babs Young photos, Up North in Michigan
Torch Lake Views 
flandrumhill
January 31, 2011
Is there really a fountain under there? It’s stunning.
Gerry
January 31, 2011
Um, most likely a hosepipe. It’s strictly a winter art form. Spurt a column of water into the bitter night and see what happens! There’s one in front of a house I pass occasionally on my rounds–their well must be like my own, as the ice column is often touched with shades of gold and amber. Then it gets snowed on and changes some more. It’s really interesting to watch. (I can see it now–“TLV says Up North entertainment in January consists of watching water freeze.” We are so misunderstood.)
Carsten
January 31, 2011
Very beautiful and interesting. I haven’t seen that kind of winter decorations here. It might be an idea if it wasn’t so cold outside 🙂
Gerry
January 31, 2011
Thank you, Carsten. This is an idea whose time is cold, so to speak. I promise you it will not work in May. At least I hope not. I sincerely hope not.
Scott Thomas Photography
January 31, 2011
That is one BIG hosepipe! In NY we watch water freeze, too. 😉
Gerry
January 31, 2011
I saw your frozen waterfalls! Naturally, though, my attention was drawn directly to the excellent treats. Another thing the denizens of the Freshwater Nation have in common.
kanniduba
January 31, 2011
Wow! That’s all. 🙂
Karma
February 1, 2011
Amazing! I’ve never seen anything like that!
Nye
February 1, 2011
Looks amazing, we don’t see anything like that here. 🙂
Gerry
February 1, 2011
You do not have enough really cold weather to make such wonders! You, however, have a genuine rice paddy in the vicinity. That is something you will not see in Northern Michigan.