No Parking on Blue Lake Island Road

Minocqua Public Works Superintendent Butch Welch will be discussing the issue of no parking on Blue Lake Island Road at the Minocqua Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010.  For those interested in attending, the meeting will be held in the Board Room of the Minocqua Center at 6:00 p.m.

Wolf Moon O’er Blue Lake

Quilted Postcard by Teresa Colianni

A ginormously big and bright “Wolf” moon will be hanging over Blue Lake tonight, creating perfect conditions for a midnight lake hike.  Nevermind the projected minus 7 degree conditions, strap on those snow shoes and enjoy the first full moon of the New Year.  While the “wolf” moniker derives from seasonally hungry, howling wolf packs of yesteryear (whose descendants definitely haunt the BLMA), quite a few Blue Lake citizens believe the name perfectly harmonious with the influx this winter of huge, wolfen paw impressions imprinted in the snow, particularly along the northern banks of Blue Lake.

The Nature in Winter

Snowy-time nature seen around Blue Lake:

Eagle on the Move

Snowy Squirrel

Deer Tracks Captured in Snow

Photos by TC, used with permission.

Wintry Bridge

Wintry Bridge on Blue Lake

Photo by TC, used with permission.

More of The Other Minocqua

A continuation of The Other Minocqua:

A strange, scientifically-proven phenomenon happens as winter settles over the Northwoods.  Exposure to extreme polar temperatures cause Wisconsin-specific, hyper-stimulation to the brain’s nucleus accumbens.  This means, in layman’s terms, that Minoccupants develop complex, sensitive, internal humor centers during this time of year.

How else does a killer whale end up beached, in the middle of winter, on Lake Minocqua?

Whale of an Ice Shack on Lake Minocqua

The Whale, apparently an ice shack, is located, oddly undisturbed, on Lake Minocqua, alongside Highway 51 by Save More.

Awesome photo by TC, used with permission.

The Other Minocqua

For the summer-only folks:  Attached below are photographs which highlight some things that residents of the Blue Lake Metropolitan Area may see if they venture up to Minocqua Township in the winter.  See, life up north is still pretty exciting from December to March.  (Discounting November and April out of courtesy.)

1.) Gigantic Snow Creatures

Giant Snowman by Island City Ice Cream

There are two this year.  The above Gigantic Creature guards Island City Ice Cream (formerly Dairy Queen).  I believe the second giant snow creature keeps an eye on things north of town, in Woodruff.

2.) Ice Excavations

Excavating Ice Pit

Over the New Year’s holiday, folks raised money for good causes at Freezin’ for a Reason by jumping into this ice water pit.  A show stopper included a burly man in a bikini and furry ear-flap hat.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) the air temperatures were frigid and many cameras’ electrical components malfunctioned shortly upon onset of the event.  After icing up their knickers, everyone enjoyed complimentary bratwursts at the Thirsty Whale.

3.) Ice Skating at Torpy Park

Ice Skating at Torpy Park

Enjoy complimentary ice-skating as the parking lot at Torpy Park is transformed into an ice rink.  It’s particularly fun after Mr. Zamboni makes an occasional appearance.

4.) Winter Sports on Lake Minocqua

Snowmobiling on Lake Minocqua

Snowmobilers zip to and fro, traversing Lake Minocqua’s frozen tundra, frequently enjoying libations at lakeside establishments like The Thirsty Whale.  Ice shacks dot the landscape and the area frequently hosts inventive sports like ice golf.  However, pay heed to less icy areas like the channel where inattentive folks have been known to break through.

All photos by JCM, used with permission.

Pet Tip – Musher’s Secret

The family dog, a chow mix, has always had trouble navigating the wintry Blue Lake terrain.  His paws get caked with ice and snow and he ends up chewing on his feet and limping shortly after exposure.  Little dog sledding booties didn’t help, always falling, or getting nudged, off.  While in the Rocky Mountains, I came across a nifty product in a pet store… Musher’s Secret, a barrier wax for dog paws.  I sent a tub up to the lake and success!  Mr. Dog is now trotting happily along, investigating snowmen and digging through snowbanks to get at last year’s frozen compost pile.

Musher's Secret

Musher’s Secret is made from 100% natural waxes and protects dog feet against salt and chemicals, ice build-up, snowballing, sand and sand burn, hot pavement and rough terrain.  It’s for sale in the Doctors Foster and Smith online catalogue.

New Year at Blue Lake

Happy New Year!  Toasty news in 2010… The BLMA is getting a reprieve from the arctic blaster barreling through the midwest.  Blue Lake can expect just a few snow showers on the horizon and temperatures in the mid-teens and rising to the upper 20’s by next week.  Local roads, however, are still characteristically icy, and probably will remain so until late-April.  Pay special attention to the intersection of Streater Road and Agawak Road where, recently, a vehicle was unable to brake in time for the stop sign, skidded into a snowbank and had to be towed out by a big truck.

A few new retirees around Blue Lake are experiencing their first round-the-clock winter in the Northwoods where at least one brave adventurer reports the area as being, “really quiet, cold and snowy.”  Activities enjoyed by these folks include cross-country skiing, gathering firewood, reading, listening to the radio, making homemade pasta, taking pictures and organizing stuff in the house.

Happy Holidays!

Blue Lake in December

Happy Holidays, Blue Lakers!  According to on-the-scene sources, here’s what’s been going down this month on the lake:  Blue Lake is now well-frozen, back in business for the ice-fishermen who have their ice shacks comfortably situated around the lake.  A walk around Blue Lake island revealed about ten homes merry-making in the snowy wonderland.  Yup, there’s been plenty of snow.  A nicely-sized snow storm beautified the BLMA in the middle of the month.  The winter solstice passed earlier this week, delivering the shortest day of the year without a hitch.  And while the sun will still be rising later for another week or so, it will be also setting later… so sleep in and rest up for all the late-night holiday parties!  Still planning the holiday menu?  How about a wild turkey?  A rafter of about 12 huge birds have been trotting around Blue Lake Road and Agawak Road.

Turkey and Reindeer Country

Reports have also come in that Kris Kringle may have visited Blue Lake early this year.  The evidence?  Boot prints captured in the snow, circling the chimney of a Blue Lake resident’s chimney.  However, cloven hoof prints did not accompany the boot marks so keep your eyes out for wayward reindeer.  Pay special attention to the deer congress on Blue Lake Road, west of Blue Lake Island Road.  Blitzen may be trying to blend in, captivated by the loveliness of Blue Lake in the winter, and trying to sneak in an extended stay.

Tracking Reindeer

Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year!

Freshly Plowed for Holiday Visitors

Photos by JCM and VBM JR.

Is it Frozen?

Does anyone know whether Blue Lake is frozen yet? Per the webcams on the Minocqua Chamber of Commerce website, the big lakes are icy around the edges with plenty of open water towards the center.  Last year, around Thanksgiving, Blue Lake was well on its way to toughening up and by December 13th it had developed a sturdy ice layer.