Tuesday & Wednesday

BSMITH · Post by **BSMITH** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 1:32 pm

Breezy tuesday windy Wednesday out o' the north

Dave Z · Post by **Dave Z** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 3:15 pm

St. Croix is fully open again.

dave t · Post by **dave t** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:16 pm

Temps in the 20s would not be good for water activities so, are the frozen lakes still OK?
It could be windy enough for my skates and toy foil and if it's not and I look pathetic enough, maybe someone would have pity on me and let me bum a ride on a real kite for a while.
It also depends on how much snow falls too, doesn't it?

BSMITH · Post by **BSMITH** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:47 pm

You can use my kites any time Dave. Sewede & Buffalo have safe ice. Well, Buffalo might be getting a little shetchy in spots after today! I'll probably head out to Swede Tue/Wed if we get some snow.

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 6:21 pm

Kevin O. reports that Turtle Lake in shoreview is pretty thick too. The fetch is better than Saweed for a N wind. Keeping on eye on everything now.

Kevinousdigian · Post by **Kevinousdigian** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 10:37 am

Update on lakes in Shoreview...
Turtle lake is a decent size lake about .6 mi wide(W-E) and 1.3 mi long (n-s). It's great on north winds, I windsurfed there 4 times this summer. There is nice public access on the SE corner just across from Chippewea middle school on hodgson street. Take 35E to 694W to Rice street (1st exit) and go 3 mi north (rice turns into hodgson).

I just talked to a guy who lives on the south side of Turtle. He said there are a couple ice houses out a little ways from the public boat landing in the SE corner of the lake. He thinks the south side of the lake should be 'safe' but recommended staying away from north end of lake because the lake level is low and it is a spring fed lake. On Sat. I talked to some fisherman who said they say people out on turtle and the ice was thick (6-7") on the south side.

I was out at snail lake on Sat. (this lake is a mile south of turtle) and the ice was 5-7" thick in the south bay. This lake also works on a NW, N or NE wind and there is a nice park on the south side. The lake has some hills around it and not as big so it's not quite as good but is an option (especially since it is <1 mile from my home).

If I can get out of a meeting or two I'll hit turtle this afternoon.
KO

John · Post by **John** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 2:29 pm

Forest Lake was good this weekend; 4+ inces of relatively smooth ice. It's probably rough snow covered now but still safe. There was a thinly covered duck hole on the north end to keep an eye out for. Regards,

John

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:20 pm

Minnetonka is a mess. Need a good spell of cold weather before the ice will be consistently safe. Duck holes everywhere! A few individual bays might be better.

WILLDOG · Post by **WILLDOG** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:26 pm

Anyone going to be out at Turtle this weekend?? I was out at Buffalo this weekend for the DN regatta. Some sketch spots and the warm weather doesn't help. However, it's going to get COLD!!!! So by the weekend it should be fine.

Is Turtle a safe lake? No springs or things?

Will

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:26 pm

Checked out Turtle lake this afternoon. 3/4 of the lake was dark, not open water though I guess there was a few inches of water on top of the ice yesterday and now it is just wet slush. It most likely will freeze over the next few days. Be carefull of the north end though. The south 1/4 of the lake has nice snow cover, though with the winds tomorrow, who knows.

I decided not to ride today. Not great wind, small riding area, and uncertain ice thickness.

Have fun tomorrow.

Barry P · Post by **Barry P** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:36 pm

I kited on the south end of Turtle late this afternoon. The ice seemed good enough. I drove a stake in the ice and went six inches before breaking through. It was a mess to ski on though. Very gummy sticky heavy snow. A wetsuit would have been a better choice than snow stuff - I am SOAKED.

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:36 pm

I think I'm going out to Swede Wednesday afternoon, closest good snow for me. There was no water coming through from below on Sunday so It should not have any slush underneath. I'll probably get there around 1:00 if anyones interested in joining.

BSMITH · Post by **BSMITH** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:59 pm

Anywhere to launch on South side of Swede?

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:37 am

Map doesn't show much of anything down there. The launch isn't the best for North winds but, as long as I'm not in the exact lee of some trees I'll launch anywhere on skis or skates. I think the launch is East enough to sail a North wind. Don't hold me to that though. The forcast shows a teeny bit of Westerly component too.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 7:50 am

very envious. Looks like primo conditions. Hopefully the snow will cling to the ice for a bit and give charmen softness. Looks like it's gonna get real cold for a few days so get it while you can. The cold will be good for opening up other lakes for riding.

Enjoy and take some pics. Living vicariously is my only option today.