Giant Animals and Walking On Water
So, instead of talking a bunch about what I did saw today while wandering around, I’ll just post photos, because I think they are sort of nifty. Click each one for a bigger (or in some case full-size versions), which is worthwhile for the wide format ones.
Vehicles lined up in two general rows, forming an area used for racing.
Snowmobiles and a dirt bike with an extended frame taking off from the starting line.
Yes, all of this is on a lake. Well, it’s actually on Anchor Bay, which is part of Lake St. Clair, which is part of the waterway connecting Lake Huron and Lake Erie, two of the Great Lakes.
It freezes solidly enough that in the winter people regularly drive full size trucks rather far out on to it. As you can see, it’s chock full of ice shanties and fishermen, along with snowmobiles, four-wheelers, dirt bikes, trucks, people, and just about anything else one can imagine, including lots and lots of beer.
Someone taking off quickly along the race area.
Slightly melted part of the surface of the ice, which makes the thickness of the ice apparent.
A Ford F150 parked on the ice, with other vehicles and ice shanties stretching far out into the lake.
Refinery in Ontario, Canada, just across the river from Marysville, MI.
These following few photos were taken before the others, but they are at the bottom anyway. They are of a miniature golf course located just east of I-94 along 23 Mile Road (M-29):
Love the patriotic cow with the stars on the utters… How American.
I think the eyelashes are what make it especially midwestern.
That ice may be thick, but I’ve always thought those people were out of their freaking minds to drive their gigantor Ford trucks out there.
That crossed my mind when I was standing directly next to a large SUV while out on the ice. If it went in, I was sure to do the same… After that I made a point of standing at least a good 20′ from each vehicle.
What I find a bit more insane is the parking-lot-like parking of 10 – 15 vehicles in a row, each fitted with a large trailer, a few large snowmobiles, camping gear, etc.
Hmm, imagine spending a night out on the ice in a tent… That’d be interesting.
i’ve learned a LOT about ice/trucks/lakes since moving out to the lake shore. Lake Nepessing had, at various points (depending upon the currents below) nearly 18″ of ice, which explains how it was able to safely hold dozens of trucks parked on the ice and lots of shanties, sleds, snowmobiles and dirt bikes.
knowing this, i still was too leery even to walk on it. even after reading this.
oh yeah, nearly forgot: most insurance policies will NOT cover you if your vehicle goes through the ice, and all of the pollutants your car releases can get you some hefty fines from the DNR, too.
That place has great frozen custard if its the place I’m thinking of. Mmmmm