Snowshoeing on Caesar Pond again!

Wowee! Since I was so successful getting onto the pond yesterday, we decided to go out again today. The temperature was about 10 degrees higher, at a feel-like temp. of about 24F. We traversed 1.2 miles of the pond and had a marvelous time.

We stuck to the western shore due to all the ice fisherfolk who seemed to enjoy the eastern portion of the pond.

As we walked close to shore, we noticed some thin ice over a hole. It could be a place where an animal goes in and out of the water from, or it could be where someone walked and went through.

The ice is about 10 inches thick. Being a pond, the water is only between 9-12 feet deep so it freezes nicely all over for winter activities. We saw two neighbors cross country skiing and of course several ice fishing tents set up.

I took a self-portrait of myself through Toby's doggles! Yay! See all the scratches on his doggles? Those are from branches that would have poked his eyes out had he not had eye protection (he is blind.)

We checked out my favorite beaver lodge on the western shore. It seems to be active, which is good as it has not fallen into disrepair. We usually see beaver traps around it, but trapping hasn't occurred yet. We always have a plethora of beavers inhabiting the pond. Do you see the smoke on the eastern shore? That is where the fisherfolk have a warming fire on the ice near their tent.

Then, we walked to the northern boggy portion of the pond. This is where I prefer to spend most of my time during the summer as birds nest here, there are cranberries to pick, snapping turtles to commune with, and lots of flowering plants. It is where I can truly be alone with nature.