This Is What We Do In Sylvan Lake on a Nice Winter Day.

This past weekend has been absolutely gorgeous and so was the weekend before that. I am more than happy to have a little reprieve from the deep cold that we have been experiencing, as cabin fever tends to set in just a little too easily. 

This past weekend, Jake and I joined the neighbors for an afternoon weenie roast in the backyard, which was filled with good conversation and screaming children running and screeching in delight as they wore themselves out. But last week we ventured a little bit further than just our back yard. It was time to head out to the lake. 

So, I donned my trusty winter boots. 

They aren't too girly, are they? I guess this shoe shot is a far cry from the majority of the she shots you see. Usually they are a little more dainty and colorful, and trust me, I miss those kind of shoes, because these bad girls are about 5 pounds each!

Off to the lake we went. And I love seeing the lake during the winter, because it is the one time of year that you see a true sense of community. In the summer, we are there, but being a busy tourist destination, that sense of community tends to be masked. It is only winter, when the tourists seem to hibernate that we town folk emerge and take the lake to ourselves. 

This year, besides the ski-dooing, ice fishing and skating, there is a new landmark in town that we are enjoying..........

 

AN ICE CASTLE!!!!!!!!

This is the first time I have ever seen one and it is cool, literally and figuratively. 

The creator of this beautiful structure is an Edmonton sculpturer named, Delayne Corbett. 

The ice castle made from 300lb ice blocks that had to be imported from Vancouver. They are specially made in a special flash freezing process. 

The optimum temperature to construct this is approximately -10 Celcius. Any colder and the ice becomes too brittle to work with. The mortar to solidify the structure was a mix of water and snow, and its windows, doorway and detailing was created using chainsaws, chisels and torches. Cool, huh?

It even came complete with ice benches to rest our weary behinds! Made for some chilly and damp butt cheeks, but that is always cured by several things. Walking in my 10 pound boots, having a nice steaming cup of hot chocolate and sinking into a warm bath. 

So, no harm. Sit. Watch the town marvel and laugh and enjoy. 

And now, I must escape outside again. It is another beautiful winter day that we have been granted. I must go seize it! Later!