Winter at Split Rock

Towards the end of February, we thought we would take a little trip up the North Shore to the Split Rock lighthouse since we had not been there in the winter.

With a view like this, we immediately wondered why we hadn't been here in the winter before.

We couldn't help but snap photo after photo.

While setting up this photo, Pat almost fell in the lake. The ice on the rocks was covered by about a half inch of snow, making conditions very slippery.

The ice was pretty cool. Literally :-)

The view of the island south of the lighthouse wasn't too bad, either.

As the light continued to fade, we were treated to some beautiful color.

More ice.

We were extremely lucky the lake was so calm. This is probably my favorite photo of the Split Rock lighthouse.

One last view of the ice before heading home.

Ice

At Christmas I had been lucky enough to get some new filters, so I thought I would try them out on a beautiful January day in Duluth.


On the way to the lakeshore, I spotted a ship.


The ice builds up on the rocks along the Duluth shoreline, making for some neat photo opportunities.

Here I tried out the new neutral density and graduated tobacco filters.

The next weekend Pat & I headed out to Brighton Beach on the east end of Duluth for some more ice photos. There were some cool ice 'balls' ranging from marbles to softball size alongthe shore.

Pat getting the tripod setup.

It was a little chilly, so we were bundled up in our ski gear.

Here we used the ND filter again to catch some water/ice movement.

The evening colors were beautiful.

Ice hanging off the rocks.

One last shot before heading home.

Adams Mill

We headed down south to Indiana for Christmas 2009. A couple days after Christmas we thought it would be fun to visit historical Adams Mill a few miles from my parents house. Adams Mill , a gristmill, was constructed in 1845 by John Adams. Mr. Adams supposedly walked 60 miles along Wildcat Creek to chose the present location. The mill is a post and beam structure, with the posts consisting of walnut wood and the beams consisting of oak wood. Most kids go on a field trip to the mill in elementary, but for whatever reason my class was skipped.


The mill is technically located in the enormous 'metropolis' of Bolivar. Yeah, more like town of about 10.


It has not really snowed at all the past several Christmases we have spent in Indiana. This trip we were treated to some snow, which contrasted nicely with the bright red mill.


A closer look at the water wheel. Apparently cake flour was a specialty of the mill in its heydey.

A tractor beneath the mill.

A wagon next to the tractor.

Pat & I infront of the wagon.

My brother Andy also came along for a few pics.

If I were to guess, I would say the water wheel was around this area at some point. Of course I don't know since I have never taken the tour.

View from below the mill.

I told Pat we could just hitch him to a wagon, but he didn't seem to like that idea.

The green wagon seemed to make the scene quite Christmasy.

The door was even decorated for Christmas.

The classic view of the mill from the road.

A covered bridge was also constructed nearby in 1872 by the Wheelock Bridge Company.

The bridge offers windows to view the Wildcat Creek.

Take me to your leader....... We inadvertently got the 'alien' look of Andy while attempting to photograph the interior bridge structure.

On the way home we noticed the neighbor's horses hanging out by the fence.

Why hello.

One last horse pic before heading home.

Bentleyville

Up until 2008, a guy with the last name of Bentley (no relation to the car manufacturer) strung Christmas lights all over his yard and allowed people to walk and drive through the display for free (encouraging donations, of course) as sort of a gift to the community for the Christmas season. The event grew bigger and bigger every year until it pretty much got out of hand for Mr. Bentley, and the City of Duluth decided this would be a great event to instead have at Bayfront Park. To get setup for the new location, planning started in 2008 (no lights that year), and volunteers started decorating as early as September!


Since we didn't go to the display before the 2009 Christmas season, I was wondering if this was really going to be worth it. Walking into the first display area, I think it was convinced it was worth it to brave the 0 degree temperatures.


The Blues Fest band shell was even decorated.


Hot chocolate and cookies were donated to the City so people could enjoy them while wandering through the lights display.

Fancy light pole.

A Christmas light rendition of Enger Tower (local landmark) complete with deer and snowflakes.

Tunnel of lights.


Pat thought it would be fun to try shooting a long exposure in the tunnel, zooming out during the exposure. The photo turned out pretty 'psychedelic.'

Complimentary popcorn was also offered as a snack.

Besides being a support structure for lights, the band shell also served as the area for roasting complimentary marshmallows and visiting Santa. It was a pretty cool sight.

The snowflakes on the band shell column were just the right touch.

This sign was kind of out in the middle of a snowbank, so I am not really sure what this was supposed to refer to.

But, yep, I think the whole place was a nice photo spot!

Another 'psychedelic' tunnel.

There was even a rendition of the Duluth lift bridge and breakwalls with a ship.

Loch Superior monster? ;-)

Noah's ark.

A nice send off before heading back to the car. This had really put me in the Christmas spirit.

Of course we couldn't help but take a quick shot of the bridge before heading home!