Firewood Cuttin' Takes A Day Off

My Woodhauler and I spent Saturday out on Castle Rock Lake with good friends and fun!



Steam rising from the Necedah ethanol plant in subzero morning air.



One of the many shanty towns, populated by hopeful ice-fishermen.



Warming up at a place called the Dirty Turtle.



Further warm-up at a place called South Shore.



My hardworking woodhauler loaded with non-firewood things today.



A few of our friends (there were 131 ATVs and snowmobiles total).



The sun going down on a great day.



The Moon rising on a beautiful evening. At this point we were still on the opposite side of the lake, and were beginning our 5 mile ride back in the moonlight.



Nighttime on Castle Rock Lake. Our ride back home.



JR goes 'round and 'round.

Shari said:

Where's your gas can gone now?

Great pics!

Shari

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New SQUARE gas can took the day off too, resting in the garage at home. Old ROUND gas can is out to pasture.

Backwoods Savage said:

Thanks for the pictures quad. It appears you are lacking snow about the same as we are. It's been over 3 weeks since I've had to clear any snow. The blade is off and sitting in the barn and it appears it will be staying there for quite some time as there is nothing in the forecast except snow showers.

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The lake is deceiving! We actually have over a foot of snow on the ground yet (it's hard and crusty though). But, when we got the inch of rain a week ago, all the snow on the lake turned to slush and water, then it went below zero this week and that turned the slush into hard ice. So now there is 2-3 feet of ice on the lake but no snow.

I'm back to cutting wood again today, but just came in between loads for a quick soup and sandwich, and of course to see what's going on here.

I haven't went ice fishing in years (I prefer to fish in softer water), but on Castle Rock Lake through the ice they catch perch, walleye, smallmouth, largemouth, northern, stripers, crappie, panfish, and many other kinds. Castle Rock Lake is part of the Wisconsin River.

Bobbin said:

Wow, great shots, Quads! I think winter has an undeserved bad reputation when it comes to outdoor recreation. Sure, it's cold, but if you dress for it and let yourself "warm up" every so often it's great. When I had horses I rode all winter long (warmer bareback!). Cracks me up when people gripe about the cold and haven't the good sense to put on a hat (or remove earrings!). I always used a face mask when there were windchill advisories; being warm and safe is "where it's at".

We're getting regular news stories about snowmobilers going through the ice on lakes and drowning. Usually at night. So sad and so unnecessary.

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They go through the ice sometimes around here too, but that's mostly in the Fall. They try to go out there too early, before the ice is safe. We had between 2 and 3 feet of it yesterday. Some of the really clear spots in the ice make me cringe a little (I can't swim) but it's really thick.

Jamess67 said:

Hey Quads can I bring my quads up for a visit??lol Looks like fun~!

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We do it every January. Everyone is welcome. It's hosted by our ATV club.

bogydave said:

Now that JR's dizzy from spinning brodies on ice. Better let some one else drive him home LOL
Looks like you had allot a Fun. A good break.
Nice pics but the video made me dizzy

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JR is usually kind of dizzy without spinning around! I have another friend that did that once so fast and so long that he was sick the rest of the day.

firefighterjake said:

Great pics Quads . . . I tell you . . . you alone are doing a fantastic job for Wisconsin's tourism industry . . . the shots you took earlier this year and these winter time shots have made Wisconsin to look like a truly beautiful state to visit!

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Thanks!

I've nothing much to compare it to personally, have only been out of state twice in my life, just briefly. I live within 5 miles of the house I was born in, within 1 mile of the house my Dad was born in, across the road from where Grandpa was born...................

firefighterjake said:

Bobbin said:

Wow, great shots, Quads! I think winter has an undeserved bad reputation when it comes to outdoor recreation. Sure, it's cold, but if you dress for it and let yourself "warm up" every so often it's great. When I had horses I rode all winter long (warmer bareback!). Cracks me up when people gripe about the cold and haven't the good sense to put on a hat (or remove earrings!). I always used a face mask when there were windchill advisories; being warm and safe is "where it's at".

We're getting regular news stories about snowmobilers going through the ice on lakes and drowning. Usually at night. So sad and so unnecessary.

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Hopefully that's slacked off since there is little to no snow in the area . . . with the exception of the Fort Kent area.

For the record, you are absolutely right . . . sad and unnecessary . . . I'm not a big fan of crossing lakes on my sled in the winter . . . even the dead of winter . . . and with the warm weather we've had (discounting this past weekend) the ice is still not safe enough for me to want to venture on to it.

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There's normally not much danger of that here, as long as people wait until Christmas or later. Saturday the ice on Castle Rock Lake was at least 2 feet thick and greater, as it is most years. If I'm out there, it's safe. I can't swim and fell through the ice when I was a kid. If there is any doubt I don't go near it.