Winter in Lakeside Part II

Here are a few more shots from yesterday. A couple were taken from the dock and the other two were from the East Gate. As you can see, ice blew back in thursday night/friday morning. The frigid temps have frozen everything back up tight. Even if the weather continues to cooperated to make ice, it will be tough travelling on this rough ice. It's not really looking too good for ice adventurers this year. My time is running out for winter time fun. I will be leaving for Michigan on monday for a snowmobile trip. Soon after that, I have a beer can show for 4 nights in VA, then the month of March, I will be in the Florida Keys. I can very much enjoy winter, given the right conditions so that there are activities to participate in. However, when the cold or snow conditions don't cooperate, winter just becomes depressing, dreary, long and boring.

The Marblehead Loading Dock and Lakeside Marine stand like sentinels, guarding the shores, until they can come back to life, serving mariners, boaters and all the people that depend on them. Ottawa County has one of the highest, if not the highest, unemployment rates in Ohio. I'm sure there are many people desperately wanting to get back to work as soon as winter breaks.

Winter in Lakeside

I figured many of you would enjoy some shots of Lakeside, in a very different setting. No people, no boats, no bikes....not much of anything. I'm not sure if the cottages pictured are famous, but they are in quite the location, overlooking the Pavilion.

No swimmers, no sailboats, no children running hither. Just some dirty snowdrifts, ice floes and cold temps. It was very peaceful, calm and so quiet. I swore I could hear summer whispering in my ear, but I know that is very far away yet. My mind wanders to try and visualize this area on 4th of July. You see, I rarely spent any time in Lakeside, so this all seems quite natural to me.

The Hotel stands like a guardian of the shore. I wonder how much longer this building will stand here. I always hear conjecture about her structural integrity and vulnerability. I have never been in the Hotel, at least not past the dining room and lobby. I wonder what famous people have stayed here. What about any ghosts?

The Pavilion is a real jewel here. This was a wonderful addition and so pleasant to look out over the dock and lake. Lakeside reminds me alot of Mackinac Island in Michigan and a little of Key West...no offense. All very different and unique destinations, but all sharing that common charm that relaxes and reinvigorates the soul in their own ways.

Near Zero in Danbury !

By the time I opened my eyes this morning, it had warmed up to 6 degrees. I have to think that somewhere in the township, it was near zero or below at some point before sunrise. But for Phil Sauvey, our friend in Alaska, this would be a heatwave. My truck gave a telltale groan and squeal, as it came to life this morning. We can expect a couple of more mornings like this, before temps moderate. There was a beautiful moon and clear skies last night, that definitely contributed to the bitter cold for our area. It's amazing what a bit of sunshine can do for your attitude and warmth. On the way into work, the sun's rays actually had the cab of the truck warmed up quickly. Sunshine and peeks of blue sky very much help one's attitude after so many cloudy days. I don't see much snow in our future yet.

Frigid cold returns to the North Coast!

Woke up to dropping temps, from the high 20's, down to about 19 right now. We are in for about 3 days of this, with lows in the single digits. There is about 1-2 inches of snow blowing around, just enough to coat the highways and delay school. The wind is howling outside my lakefront office and I do see some ice forming on the open waters. With the wind blowing, it will be difficult to get any serious ice to form, so I'm not too encouraged about any ice fishing or ice travel yet. Is it just me or do people and things tend to move slower in the cold weather? It's tougher to get out of bed, get that vehicle ready for the commute and get motivated for work. Please remember to take care of any pets or animals that live outside around you.

Meadowbrook Marsh - Danbury's nature preserve

How many of you have taken advantage of Danbury's own nature preserve and walk? How many aren't even aware of it?

The Meadowbrook Marsh project began back in 2000. It continues to be a work in progress, but it already is a very usable nature sanctuary for all. It is obviously located around Meadowbrook Marsh to the south of Bayshore Rd. The current parking entrance is across from the Todd property (Don Todd class of '83). As of now, the current property consists of 110 acres of land and wetlands. It was secured in several transactions over the years using grant money and "estate dollars". The township's website boasts that there was "no expense whatsoever to the taxpayers". It really wasn't until about early 2009 did we see actual trails being cut and public access. Today, I estimate that there is at least a mile, if not more, of paved walking trails, 6 to 7 feet wide. They are beautiful and snake down to the shore of Meadowbrook, leading to a beautiful observation deck. The deck is approximately 80 feet long, elevated and completely wheelchair-accessable. It is constructed out of treated timbers, with a composite deck and benches. The paths continue to take you back through grassy and wooded areas. All along the way are convenient benches and a smattering of picnic tables. I have taken numerous walks around the preserve, often times with our dog. (Please pick up after pets!) It offers a peaceful, tranquil escape should the hustle and bustle of our summertime highways get too much for you. Future plans call for a shelter house and improved parking. I will continue to keep you posted on this beautifully evolving project.

They do play basketball in Ohio....Cavs Report.

So now that NFL football is season is pretty much over for most of us (I realize it was over a long time ago for most of you.), it's time to take notice that Cleveland has a pretty good basketball team. You may have heard of their leader, LeBron James, arguably the best basketball player on earth. Now is the time that most of us get a chance to take in some NBA basketball if you are so inclined. The action is starting to get good. The All-Star Game is coming up on Valentine's Day. After the break is when traditionally, teams start to turn it on. But just in case you haven't had a chance to check the standings, the Cavs have been turning it up all season long.

You could very well need a program for the new-look Cavs this year. Literally, the biggest addition is Shaquille O'Neal. But you could argue that new arrivals Anthony Parker, JJ Hickson, Jamario Moon and Jawad Williams have had just as big of impacts as the Shaqtus. I won't bore you with stats, because you can go anywhere for those. Let me just say that this team can now go 9-10 players deep on a nightly basis. Lately, with point guard Mo Williams and his backup, Delonte West injured, these new guys have been getting valuable, quality time. It may be a bit strange to see Zydrunas Ilgauskas coming off the bench, but combine his and Shaq's numbers and they figure out to be a formidable big man combination. Of course, perpetual motion-man, Andy Varejao is there providing energy, steals, rebounds, blocks and surprising key scoring. This is truly a different team that fell to Orlando last year in the Eastern Conferance Semis and a vastly improved team that got embarassed by San Antonio in the Finals, several seasons ago. This is a very entertaining team to watch, especially watching the Shaqtacular One do his thing. He's worth every penny just for the amazing quotes, humor, swagger and team presence. Oh, he's still quite a force to be reckoned with for the time that he's on the court.

INTERESTING SHAQ FACT:

Most fans know that Shaq is a miserable free throw shooter. Most high school players shoot better than he does. Why? I have asked myself that for his entire career. What could be more simple than a free throw? Don't get me started. Anyway, please take note of his painful attempts at making free throws....they are priceless. Anyway, my point is this: Shaq has made about 53% of his free throws in his career. He currently stands at 28,068 points. If the poor guy could have at least shot 70% from the line (which isn't asking too much for a pro), he would be pushing the 30,000 point mark, which he would've gotten very soon this year. Playing 1 more year, he could even have an outside shot at catching Wilt Chamberlain for 4th on the career scoring list.

This is what I saw today.......

As I was taking a drive around Catawba, I couldn't help but notice this airboat parked on the shore near Pebble Beach, which is on the NE tip of Catawba, just south of Mouse Island, which is the island nearest in the pic. Off in the distance is South Bass. Often this time of year, there may be several airboats parked here. Usually, the owners are from South Bass and they have vehicles parked nearby. An airboat is the ultimate in safe ice travel, however, they can be a little awkward in open water. I'm sure most people are wishing the weather would make up it's mind around here. Either get some ice back or let's just get boating again!

I was also thinking that you just don't see much livestock around here anymore, yet I drive by these guys all the time. This pasture is at the intersection of Church Rd. and Port Clinton Eastern Rd. They are sporting some thick coats and seem to be enoying being out in the fresh, crisp air. We were having a passing snow flurry and they seemed oblivious to that fact.