It was so cold I almost got married. ~Shelly Winters
Our coldest winters were in New Hampshire, when we lived on the shores of Lake Winnepesaukee. The lake froze solid from sometime in December through most of April. During that time, the ice was so thick that it was an authorized landing strip for small planes. The locals dragged portable shacks onto the ice and set up weekend camps for ice fishing. Many of these fishing huts were far from rustic. They were often outfitted with kerosene heaters, collapsible lounge chairs, and kegs of beer. If you look closely, you can also see cars and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) parked outside the huts.
Winter View, Lake Winnepesaukee, Gilford, NH
Three feet of ice does not result from one day of cold weather. ~Chinese Proverbs
In April, we all waited for the first signs of spring, when huge cracks appeared in the surface of the ice and patches of water appeared. Locals would bet on the official date of “ice out”–the day when the local cruise ship, the SS Mount Washington could make all its stops in cities around the lake. This tradition started 135 years ago. The roar from the cracking ice woke us up at night.
Days Before Ice Out, Lake Winnepesaukee, Gilford, NH
Nothing burns like the cold.~George R.R. Martin
Another unforgettable winter sight was on a trip one winter from Boston to Niagara Falls. It was so cold that ice crystals formed right above the rushing water–as you can see in the downriver view below.
Downstream View, Niagara Falls, Canada
If the world is cold, make it your business to build fires. ~Horace Traubel
When we lived in the Midwest, we spent a good amount of time in Chicago, which was justifiably famous for its frigid winters and bitter winds. Still, people found ways to enjoy the cold. Here, they are skating at Millennium Park. You can see the skyline reflected in the “Bean” sculpture above the ice rink.
Skating at Millennium Park, Chicago
Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Even now as we travel, we often find ourselves wearing cold weather jackets and boots. This final shot was taken two weeks ago in London during a walk in Kensington Gardens. The weather was moody–days of damp and cold, which seeped into our shoes and made us crave hot bowls of soup and cups of tea. I love how these two women were enjoying a walk with their dog despite a cold wind which played with the woman’s scarf.
A walk in Kensington Gardens, London
What does “cold” look like to you? We look forward to seeing your interpretation of “cold” this week in Tina’s inspiring challenge #73.
Many thanks to those of you who joined Amy’s “waiting” challenge last week. As always Amy, Ann-Christine, Tina, and I greatly appreciate your support of our challenges. Next week it’s my turn to host challenge #74, so please stop by!
If you are celebrating Thanksgiving this week, I hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday with plenty of delicious food and in the company of dear friends and family.
Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
As it’s 16:45 and still 27 degrees in Johannesburg, cold is not something I can show you at this point in time!
Nevertheless, your photos are smashing.
Hi, Arkenaten. Ohh…how wonderful! 27 degrees. I am a bigger fan of warmth than the cold, to tell you the truth. Enjoy the warmth! Thanks too for your kind words on my shots.
Did you ever ice fish up there? It looks similar to watching paint dry. haha. I love the image of Niagra Falls – I still have not been!
Hi, Pam. No, I never fished out there! I’d rather be warm. I hope you get to go to Niagara soon. It’s fabulous. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Brrrrr!
Definitely!!
You have certainly lived in some cold places. Lake Winnepesaukee sounds particularly fascinating.
Even our dog didn’t want to go for a walk on the -30F days!! Thanks for your thoughts, MM.
..I think I would be like your dog and happy to sit by the fire:)
Yes. Very smart!
Days Before Ice Out is stunning.
Thank you so much, Michael! I’ll never forget the sound of the ice cracking and “moaning” from the pressure.
Must be eerie.
Very. I had no idea what it was the first time I heard it. It was loud enough that it woke me up!
Beautiful landscape
Thank you, Jeremy. It was gorgeous in NH–as you can see!
Welcome, absolutely
The lake is amazing, Patti. I’m with you, I’d rather be nice and warm by the fire than ice fishing. We don’t get anything like it here. In 25 years we’ve had snow flurries only once and it didn’t settle on the ground. -5C or 23F is about as cold as it gets with a frost. I love the Chicago picture too but the skaters don’t look like they’ve got enough clothes on.
I totally agree, Wendy about not wearing enough layers in Chicago! I feel cold just looking at them! I’m glad you enjoyed the shots of the lake.
I’ve lived in the northeast my whole life and will never acclimate to the cold! Love this look, though.
It’s far easier to get a look at the cold rather than be in the cold!! I’m so glad you stopped by.
OK…..I didn’t get past the -30F!!! That is insane. Great photos and I enjoyed the read about the cold.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Brian. It is bone chilling cold, for sure. Sometimes there was so much snow, there was no place to put it!!
I like the photo of the crack in the ice, Patti. The first time we went into Chicago it was freezing cold with that lovely Chicago wind and people were still skating there. 🙁 I too am quite good at layering because I go out and walk most days even when it’s quite cold. The day it was -52 with wind chill, I did refrain! 🙂 That why Arizona will be quite a change!!
janet
What? Where are you living?? Minus 52! Yikes. No wonder why you’re moving to warmer weather! But I agree. It will be an adjustment. And thanks to for your thoughts on the photo, Janet.
We live in the Chicago area. And it isn’t usually THAT cold, but it was one day last winter. I think the next day was “only” about -26 below or something like that. 🙂
We had 2 weeks of minus 30 deg F in New Hampshire once. Usually it’s from 0 to -10F. Your part of the country really knows cold weather!
Minus 30 is bad enough. One thing that makes it so cold here is that it’s often clear. Cloudy is warmer, but I like the sun.
It’s that wind!!
Yes. It does really affect the temperature and it makes walking quite painful!
I liked your first two photos and the description of ice fishing. An interesting hobby!
Hi, Siobhan. Yes, an interesting hobby, but not for me! I like curling up inside with a good book. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts on the shots.
Nice responses and cooooollllllddd!
Yes, it is the real cold!! Thanks, Anne.
ok, New Hampshire cold is waaaaay colder than mid state NY. We’d only got to about 12 degrees below F at our very coldest. (Not counting wind chill). Sooooo glad I did not live in NH. 🥶 And for those of you who are not used to cold weather, there is a HUGE difference between minus 30 degrees F and minus 12 degrees F!!
Hi, Hannah. Great to hear from you. Yes, there is a big difference between minus 12 and minus 30! Even our dog was hesitant to go for a walk, which is really saying something! So, you are in mid-state NY. We went to college there (Oneonta) years ago.
I’m no longer there -My mom and I lived with my grandparents (her parents) when I was in 7th and 8th grade. It was a happy time for me. I currently live in Oakland – the East Bay side from San Francisco.
Oh, I see! You are living in a beautiful part of the world now, too.
I like your take on cold – esp the ending one with the dog and walk.
and speaking of Chicago – there is that joke about that is the city where you can die if you get locked out of your house in winter… ha
Hi, Prior. Yes, I am sure that is no exaggeration! The winter in Chicago is absolutely brutal with the wind. Thanks for your thoughts on the images, too.
🙂
Beautiful photos Patti! I have never seen snow closeby, only on mountain tops. We have a beautiful day here on the West Coast of South Africa.
Hi, Aletta. I’m sure you are enjoying much warmer weather than we have in New York this week! I didn’t know that’s where you live. Wonderful! It’s on my list of places to visit.
Thanks Patti, that would be nice if you can visit SA
Yes, definitely, Aletta.
So beautiful, but soooo cold, Patti. Love the ice cracking and the skaters, and ice fishing is common up north here too. I have never tried it though…nowadays the winters bring jumping temperatures and no steady ice as it used to be. Accidents with cars and sleighs going through the ice are not unusual anymore. The ice crystals look amazing!
I’m so sad that your winters are changing. We had the same problems in NH–with cars and snowmobiles ending up in the lake. I’m so glad you enjoyed the images!
They are beautiful, Patti.
I love that photo of the ice cracking, Patti, and the Falls shot is weirdly wonderful. You can guess I’m not a fan of cold. I find it hard to get enough layers together 🙂 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, hon!
Thank you, Jo! We are celebrating this year with family, which will be great. I’m trying to imagine not having enough layers in my closet. It’s never happened! I hope all’s well with you, too.
Fab photos! I’ve experienced English winters, but can barely image the kind of cold you’re describing. Here winter means remembering to take a jacket if you’re going out for a while, and trading flip flops for wellies when out in the garden.
Hi, Su. We experienced the fall in the UK and it was very damp and chilly, which is a totally different type of cold. It got into your bones! I imagine the winter is similar. The cold in NH was different, for sure. Thanks too for your kind words about the photos.
Yes, we always found English winters a bit depressing and looked for excuses to get back to NZ — if only for a few weeks.
I can surely understand why!
Excellent. I lovvvve ‘Days Before Ice Out’.
Thank you so much, John. I hung over the edge of our dock to get that shot!!
I love “Days Before Ice Out”, all those lovely tones of blue.
Thank you very much, Amy! I appreciate that.
I cannot imagine ice so thick that airplanes could land on it! That is some serious cold! I particular enjoyed your last two photos. The skyline reflected in the Bean is so neat!
*particularly
Thank you so much, myplaidheart! I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit! And yes, that is serious cold. I’m glad you liked my shots., too!
Your NH images really capture what it’s like in the winter. It is crazy to see cars on the “Big Lake” – but they are there. I’ve never been to Niagara Falls – Wow! I enjoyed your photos – where’s my sweater? 🙂
Your comment made me smile, OLU! I love that–“Where’s my sweater?” It does make you cold just looking at these photos! Thanks too for your kind thoughts.
You’re most welcome 🙂
The skating rink looks like a wonderful place to dance on ice. I also loved seeing the reflection in the Bean. Such a unique and curious sculpture. There are so many layers to this photo. Lovely post, Patti. <3
Beautiful photos but the photo which interests me the most is the ice-fishing. It is totally well uh… foreign to me. It actually reminds me of camping (without going for a dip in the lake). Your minus 30 fahrenheit I have also not experience. Actually I have never experienced any temperature in fahrenheit… The coldest I have been is when I took the photos for my post where it was minus 4 celsius (25 degrees fahrenheit)
Very very beautiful cold pictures! Where my sister lives, in northern Sweden their big lake turns into a highway (literally) in the winter.