Snowy February

Record breaking snowfall this February and the month isn't over yet!

The pretty part of spring snowstorm (now an official blizzard)

Was getting a bit of cabin fever so went for a walk down to the chain of lakes during the snowstorm.

Walked over to Isles Bun and Coffee for a coffee cake energy boost. From there walked down to Lake of the Isles. Could make out one of the islands but could not see across the lake.

Lake of the Isles

Snow piling up

Lake of the Isles toward the Lagoon

Headed over to Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) through the tunnel. The snow was pretty deep with all the wind piling it up. Some robins were taking refuge in a little leafless bush. Visibility was probably only about 50 yards.

The stacks of boats, canoes and kayaks gave a hint to warmer weather.

Optimistic boats at Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun)

The Lagoon

Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun)

Four robins taking refuge

Starbuck optimism

Officially a blizzard now

Kite Festival

This year's kite festival featured an enormous whale shark and octopus. There were lots of people young and old flying their own kites, too. It was all so beautiful.

A snow storm - finally

Drifting around the truck

Always piles up at the garage door.

Snow blown onto back porch door.

It is cold!

Everyone (my family) expects that it is always cold in Minnesota. That is, of course, not true. But today is definitely not helping with the myth.

It was -10 at my house this morning (got to -11 before sunrise). And it was -18 at the airport.

There wasn't any wind to speak of so the three block walk to work wasn't too bad.

I was able to do the boiling water trick again!

A difference a day makes

Went from nearly 60 degrees to a crazy rain, wind, snow storm.

snow on the flowers

backyard snow

Sunday morning cold sunrise

Storm track

No annual leaf drop

For several years I've been posting the annual ginko tree leaf drop. When the temperature goes below freezing, all the leaves drop at once. This year the drop has not happened because we haven't had a freeze yet and the wind has taken care of removing the leaves.

The forecast is for snow tomorrow but it probably still won't be below freezing. These roses will most likely make through the snow.

Twenty-four hours later

Spring took a little break today. I actually like seeing crocus with snow.

Less than 24 hours

 It doesn't take long for the weather to change. Less than 24 hours after 60 glorious degrees, it is snowing.

Not a lot of snow but it was coming down at a good clip.

City of Lakes Loppet

The City of Lakes Loppet was this weekend. It is an outdoor winter activity smorgasbord. Activites are at Theodore Worth park, Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles or for some events on all three.

Jenny and I went onto Lake Calhoun Saturday for speed skating, ice biking, skijoring, cross-country skiing and snow sculptures.

The speed skating was on a one kilometer oval of cleared ice on Lake Calhoun. Eight or nine co-ed skaters started at 1:30. It was a 50 lap race! That's 50 kilometers! We saw the start and a few of the laps before we realized that event was going to take a long time.

We headed over to ice biking that was very close by. The course this year on Lake Calhoun was boring compared to previous year's races on the lagoon between Calhoun and Isles. Nonetheless we had fun with another spectator. There is an odd 20 minute the final lap format bit we had fun cheering the competitors.

We then turned around for the start of the skijoring. Skijoring is cross-country skiimg with one or two dogs pulling the skier. The start is fantastic with dozens of dogs and their humans flying past. Most of the dogs were crazy excited to be running at full speed. Others were excited to be out with their humans. Others were distracted by all the other dogs. It all was so much fun.

We headed over to the event village to see the snow sculptures. The photos speak for themselves. We also got to watch the skiers crossing the finish line.

On the way back home we got to see the finish of the 50 kilometer skating event. The two leaders had been together the entire two hours! The skater in second had drafted the lead skater for 49 laps. The lead was out of gas and was easily taken over by the guy behind. I felt bad for the guy who had done all the work but ended up in second.

Jenny and I had a great time.

50k speed skating

ice biking

skijoring

skijoring

this white poodle ran full out the entire race

frozen pizza oven

Liked this snow sculpture

very artsy

Ground Hog Day snow storm

The forecasters got the start time spot on, however, they didn't do so well on the amount. The snow started to fall right before noon on Tuesday.

It came down fast and furious being whipped around by a pretty strong wind. It snowed all day and into the night. The temperatures remained in the upper 20's and low 30's. By the time the storm moved out, there was 10-12" in my backyard.

Inspired by friends' post of photos on Facebook and wanting to get out of the house, I went for a walk down to Lake Calhoun. It was still snowing and blowing but also peaceful and magically.

There were others out walking, running, biking and even a kite skier on Lake Calhoun.

31st Street during the snow

Lake St. bridge from the Lake of Isles to Lake Calhoun lagoon

31st and Emerson

backyard drifts

snow piled up on bench

glass fish sno-cone

Bunny action

Got a little bit of snow last night. Just emough to cover any open ground that was around.

But check out the tracks in my drive. Those are rabbit tracks hopping all over the concrete.

End of the deep freeze

 Two more mornings of below zero temps. Monday did get above zero for a bit. Today, Tuesday, is forecast for above zero but still single digits.

By the weekend the forecast is for normal or above temps. Which means in the 20's.

Hopefully we will get some snow. There is still snow on the ground but not much.