Lake Michigan - Frozen in Time

During a typical winter season, only 30% to 40% of the Great Lakes are covered by ice.  But in this 2013-14 winter season, the ice coverage on the Great Lakes is just over 92%.  Predictions for this winter season indicate the Great Lakes ice coverage will not break the record of 94.7% ice coverage measured in 1979.    

It has been 20 years since the Great Lakes has seen this kind of ice coverage (measured at 90.7% in 1994).  So, we take advantage of this rare opportunity to see a frozen Lake Michigan ...   

We arrive at the pier to the Grand Haven Light early Monday afternoon.  There are plenty of other people just as curious as we are to see and experience this unusual frozen environment.  It is windy along the lakeshore and the wind chill is making the air temperature feel “refreshingly cold”.  We dress in layers and begin our walk down the pier.  Because the sun is shining and the temperature is above freezing, the snow on the pier is melting.  I feel like I am walking on a slushy drink.  At the end of concrete pier lies Lake Michigan.  People are scrambling over the huge snow boulders and walking on frozen water.  Large, thick slabs of ice are piled up along the edge of the concrete pier. 

            

We get to view the two red lighthouses from the water – an angle we have never seen since we don’t own a boat to motor in/out of the channel to Lake Michigan.  This is a rare treat but, quite honestly, I am more than ready for winter to end.  Come on Spring!!