Early Winter Snow Storm

When we returned home last week we found LOTS of snow. There was from 20 to 40 inches of fresh snow (depending on your location on the shore) covering the ground. It took us about four hours of shoveling and snow blowing to clear the snow from our driveway and around the house. This photo was from the area that was hit with the most snow just out of Two Harbors.

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Snow Covered Spruce

After the snowstorm, the temperatures plummeted. The snow hanging on the trees is beautiful but this week the North Shore had colder wind chills than the North and South Poles.

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Sea Smoke at Sunrise

You may ask what it is like when the temperatures plunge to a wind chill of more than minus 30. The water evaporating from the surface of Lake Superior creates awesome sea smoke. Every morning this week huge clouds of sea smoke rose over Lake Superior.

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Cascade River

The waterfalls along the North Shore have frozen into some of the most beautiful ice formations. The lower falls on the Cascade River is almost entirely covered with ice.

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Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay

Great Lakes shipping can be difficult. The Coast Guard has to break the ice in the Duluth Harbor daily in order for the ore boats to enter the ship canal.

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Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay 002

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Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay

The spray freezes to the sides and top of the boats requiring the use of sledge hammers and shovels to remove the ice.

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American Century 001

As the ore boats sail across Lake Superior they become ice covered.

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American Century 002

Here is a close up of the American Century as it entered the Duluth Harbor on Friday.

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The James L Oberstar

TheJamesOberstar