Annual April Ice Out Tour -2005

[Island Girl]

Island Girl's April Ice Out Tour 2005 - Part 1

Each April I take pictures of the lake to compare yearly ice conditions. I started a few years ago just at the town docks at Glendale in Gilford. Some years there was ice, another no ice, etc. Last year I expanded the tour to lots of pictures around the lake as far east as Moultonborough. It was great fun traipsing around places where I had never been. I posted some of those pictures in an album on Photopost.

This year there are a lot of webcams and a lot of people taking pictures from various parts of the lake. This is the most photographed ice-out ever. The ice-out (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) page at Snake Eyes (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/) is getting lots of daily visits. I am taking a different approach this year. I have pictures and video from the lake from the weekend of April 9-10, 2005. I hope you enjoy my tour. I certainly did.

I hope to add Part 2 this weekend, unless the ice is out!

I left my house just before 6am, Saturday morning to head to the lake. I got to Alton Bay just before 8 am to find many people fishing or watching the fishing. At the tip of the bay, several boats are in the water... all dressed up and no place to go.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC00972-1024w.jpg



People were fishing and watching the fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC00977-1024w.jpg



The ice was out to the bandstand. Though chilly, the boaters did not seem to mind

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC00980-1024w.jpg



A couple of older viewers taking in the sun and the scenery from the Mt. Washington dock.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC00989-1024w.jpg



The sun glimmers on the bay giving hope to an ice-out soon.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC00993-fix-1024w.jpg



Sandy Point cottages iced in, still.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC00995-1024w.jpg



Heading up the bay, the Scenic overlook tells a different story. Ice everywhere.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01000-1024w.jpg





Looking the other way out to the open lake, a few melted spots, mostly gray and white ice.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01002-1024w.jpg





Little Mark Island and Moose Island behind. You can still see the tracks of vehicles of a few weeks ago


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01003-1024w.jpg




..........continued

[Island Girl]

Island Girl's April Ice Out Tour 2005 - Part 1, page 2




Minge Cove had lots of open water, but like Alton Bay, still iced in.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01036-1024w.jpg





A closer view of the edges of the ice and water.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01013-1024w.jpg





Heading out, we see open water, ice, open water, ice... the yearly ritual performed by Mother Nature.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01035-1024w.jpg





Treasure Island awaits its summer residents


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01039-1024w.jpg





Onlookers watch as we go by. Can you find them?


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01042-1024w.jpg





The ice is variable here past Flashing Light #73. Still some thickness


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01045-1024w.jpg





Echo Shores in W. Alton


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01048-1024w.jpg





Looking west toward the West Alton Sand Bar.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01047-1024w.jpg





A glimpse at what that gray ices looks like up close. This is Cub Island off the W. Alton shore.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01049-1024w.jpg





This is what that gray stuff looks like up close.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01202-1024w.jpg





.... continued.... on to Cub, Sleeper's. Diamond in the distance

[Island Girl]

Island Girl's April Ice Out Tour 2005 - Part 1, page 3




Cub Island, a two home island between Sleeper and Treasure Islands.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01050-1024w.jpg





The ice just glimmers and melts in the sun. This is the view between Cub and Sleeper Islands looking toward W. Alton


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01052-1024w.jpg





Diamond Island looms in the backdrop of varying stages of ice melt. The white is thick and the gray is very soft and porous.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01058-1024w.jpg





To the west, there is still snow on the trails of Gunstock. There is more open water here near the shore of Rattlesnake Island, with gray ice further out.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01072-1024w.jpg





A closer look of Diamond Island and the north eastern shore of Rattlesnake Island. Open water, gray ice, open water, gray ice. It is spring on this side of the island.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/medium/9DSC01068-1600w.jpg





Close to the north shore of rattlesnake, the mountains loom in the distance.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01088-1024w.jpg





Further along... it is winter again on this side on the island. The ice is thicker at the tip of Rattlesnake, and there is snow.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01092-1024w.jpg





From the NW side of Rattlesnake Island, that is Welch Island in the background. Lots of shore melting here. Click here (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/movies/4-1--2005-the-broads-from-ri-low.wmv)for a movie of this view. (takes time to download)


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01191-1024w.jpg





...Next a walk to my house and island wildlife

[Island Girl]

Island Girl's April Ice Out Tour 2005 - Part 1, page 4



On Rattlesnake Island, a deer comes by for a snack. He stayed a while. Right-click save as (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/movies/MOV01173.MPG)for a movie. (Please do not click and try to open. This takes a while, turn on the sound and hear the birds.)


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01146-1024w.jpg





The sparrows have returned for the season. There were lots and lots of birds here.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01164-1024w.jpg





The path to my house. Saturday was a delightful day for a walk in the woods.... so quiet.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01115-1024w.jpg





The Ossipees... I never get tired of this view. Notice the ice blocks under the water. This is prevalent along the shore here. As the day progressed, the white ice turned to gray.


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01130-1024w.jpg





Getting ready to leave my beautiful island. A last look down the lake until next time .......


http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01211-1024w.jpg






To end the tour.... here is a movie view (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/movies/airboat3-4-10-2005-1.wmv)of the northeastern shore of Rattlesnake Island, April 10, 2005




Thanks for sharing my tour... more next weekend, if there is still ice.

These pictures all reside on photopost in an album under Island Girl's Gallery (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=15039). Users can run a slide show.

[upthesaukee]

Great tour, IG...It gives us a great view of the world away from shore at this time of year, a view most of us would never see. Thanks for taking the time to put it together and sharing your wonderful day with all of us.

[mcdude]

How nicely done Island Girl! I enjoyed that immensely. I feel like I just spent a beautiful Spring day at the lake. Thanks for taking us all along with you! McD :)

[Pepper]

Absolutely wonderful! Thanks for letting us all hitch a ride on your photographic tour.

[DRH]

Thanks, IG. Even though Rattlesnake Island is only about a mile out from our shoreline, you gave us some views of it we have never seen! Well done.

[trfour]

Awesome tour Island Girl! Love the new movies as well!
Thanks for sharing.

[Merrymeeting]

IG,

I've already reached the point where I look forward to your tour each year! Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

My only regret is that you didn't swing by and pick me up on the way up Saturday morning! :D
Merrymeeting

[Just Sold]

IG

Thanks for the great post. I loved each of the videos too. The ride was wonderful.

You made my day.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Reminded me of UTS's "walk in the woods".

[Resident 2B]

IG,

Fantastic!

It is great that you share this with everyone.

Photo journalism at the highest end! The photos really tell the story.

Thanks!

[Alsobig]

Your the best, Great Pics... Wish I was there right now... Will be this weekend... See how much we all love this place... It is the best place in the world...!

[spotsink]

IG

Thanks for sharing your tour with us all. If I may ask, how are you getting around out there? Not walking I hope... :rolleye2:

[Steve]

Wow, that looks like it was a lot of work to put together. Thanks so much for taking the time, I really enjoyed the pics!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Wow IG! You never disappoint and the movies are a great touch. (Is this your new camera?)
Almost felt like I was there. It was so nice to hear the sounds of the island again. (Sigh.) Can’t wait to be back.
Thanks for making my day! :)
RG

[SIKSUKR]

Ok IG,great photos but how did you get to Rattlesnake?Hovercraft or is the ice still safe to walk there?If you walked your a brave girl.Thanks so much! SS

[tricia1218]

Great pictures! I also will be heading up either this weekend or next, cannot wait to get there.

[Lakewinniboater]

That was great IG.... thanks for the views!!! How did you get there.... and boy oh boy are you brave! There's no one out there to save you if something goes bad.

However, I really am glad that there are brave people like you. They were great pics.

[Island Girl]

(Is this your new camera?)
RG
Yes, I bought the movie camera just before Christmas. I am still learning to use it. I will try for more movies tomorrow. With the ice breaking up in places, it should be a different scene.

I may not be able to upload movies until I am back on a high speed connection, however.

... and the mode of travel? not a hovercraft....listen to the movie... think Florida!

[Island Girl]

(Is this your new camera?)
RG
Yes, I bought the movie camera just before Christmas. I am still learning to use it. I will try for more movies tomorrow. With the ice breaking up in places, it should be a different scene.

I may not be able to upload movies until I am back on a high speed connection, however.

... and the mode of travel? not a hovercraft....listen to the movie... think Florida!

[Sunbeam lodge]

I got it! An airboat, like in the Everglades.
I am in Florida and leave for the Lake next week via the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina..

[lakegirl]

What a great tour!!!!I'm hoping to get up this weekend and get ready for the summer!!! I love the movie feature on my camera. Hopefully you will enjoy yours just as much!!! :)

[warren]

thanks so much for the tour, warren

[Lin]

Awesome tour IG. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Island Girl]

Lakegirl... I have a still camera that takes movies (the deer) and a movie camera that takes stills (the other movies) They both do their first job very well and their second job, fair.

It would really be nice to have one camera that did both very well. I have too much stuff to carry!

See you on the lake!

[Island Girl]

I got it! An airboat, like in the Everglades.
I am in Florida and leave for the Lake next week via the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina..
My transportation is through the kindness of good friends.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15039/medium/9DSC01428-1024w.jpg

[gtxrider]

Did you see any GATORS? :coolsm:

Great shots of the lake in spring.
New Hampshire is a bit behind us down here in New Joyzee, I think I will have to mow the lawn this afternoon after work.

It seems I just got the snow blower out of the shed for the winter and now the folks will be heading back to the lake in about a month.

Time just seems to fly by.

[Island Girl]

They are lurking out there... can't you see them on Snake Eyes! It is truly a joy to be here. Watching the lake melt is pretty neat.

Thanks for the compliments, all!

[FLboater]

IG

Can you hear the ice melting? I remember every year we would listen to the ice in Wolfeboro Bay as it melted into the water.
Now I listen to the alligators.