Ice and Wonder

Last winter was a deluge of snow--over 130 inches. This winter, the rivers remain partially open. The days seem predominantly gray. The snow is not very snow-shoeable (my word). My insomnia has returned. It makes me wonder if my brain is panicking at the idea of a four-month mud season. In an attempt to turn things around, I got the camera and went looking for spots to inspire me. As I was about to turn toward my usual haunts, I noticed the ragged river ice and changed my destination. 

Look at these blocks!

The blue-grays were lovely and soothing. I continued shooting and forgot that the day was gray and I was tired (or just uninspired). Does anyone know what leads most of these breaks to be in such straight lines? Only the blocks that had frozen to the rough edge of the riverbank were not linear. I'm sure a physicist or geologist could explain this phenomenon. There are also bubbles of trapped air, like a celebratory flute of champagne. 

It was a wonder. 

Once again, grabbing my camera and getting outside was the answer. I lose all sense of time and paid no notice to the damp, gray air. As I turned to leave, some color appeared in the western sky.

I jumped into the car and zipped to a spot where some of the sunset might appear below the clouds. 

It seemed I was going to miss the finale, but I had hope!

Well, I caught the last wee-bit of it. Worth the chase.

It was so still, I could almost hear the sun closing the door on the day.