Winter Ice Planet

 Wind raged for several days while the temperature froze every bit of moisture. Breathing hurt. Chris was about 10 years old. He was restless. One clear day he dressed warmly and went outside. He walked about a half mile, through the cold wind, to Lake Michigan.

This beach that was closest to their apartment was not a good for summer swimming. A floor of rocks, not sand, lay under the water and at the edge. On this freezing winter day, however, the beach was fantastic.

An other-worldly ice-scape rose up off the lake. Wind had whipped up big waves and the moving water froze in motion. There were ice mountains and valleys and caves. There were also oddly shaped structures, like ice tunnels and high twisted ice towers. Some rose up 10 feet off the surface of the frozen water.

Obviously Chris was intrigued. He climbed over the ice covered shore rocks, onto Lake Michigan. Near the edge, the water was frozen solid. He wandered into the ice-scape. He explored. He tried daring slides and impossible climbs.

When he got too cold, he went home - but he came back the next day, and the next. The wind continued and giant ice shapes were changed each time he came back. The dynamic elements re-sculpted them again and again.

Chris did not think playing on this other planet - this ice planet - was incredibly dangerous. He did have enough sense, though, to realize some might. He wisely refrained from mentioning it to his mother. These adventures on Lake Michigan’s magical winter wonderland were so thrilling that it was hard not to tell anyone at all.

Chris told his younger brother. Greg was six or seven. Chris’ enthusiasm was contagious. Greg was enthralled too. He wanted to go. He pestered Chris so much that Chris finally agreed.

The next day the young boys bundled up. They walked to the lake. It was every bit as incredible as Chris had described. Huge and fantastic shapes rose from the frozen surface. It was, truly, a winter ice planet.

I can see the scene. In one direction, the Chicago skyline makes sharp points against the clear blue sky. White winter lies against the endless blue, in the other direction. Lake Michigan stretches away from the shore to a distant horizon.

In all that white and blue, too cold for most, two lone boys clamber over bizarre and outlandish ice shapes. It was sensational. They had a splendid time.