[MAXUM]

So I hoofed it out once again to Bear this time leaving from Cattle Landing. I however was not quite as adventurous as Mink Islander and after taking careful look at that ice just to the south of the dock I said nah I'll pass on that. Just looked a wee bit to punky for me. These shots were taken BTW this afternoon aorund 4:00 PM.

I decided to hop on the ice near the side of cattle landing road right where the shore line starts to peel off from the side of the road and into that cove. Right there in the corner the ice was good and solid and if you head straight out from there good thick ice under foot. So I took the truck over there unloaded everything on the ice then parked in the cattle landing parking lot. I also checked behind the Shep's showroom, the excavator was moved out of the way but the ice there didn't look so safe either. I ended up talking to somebody that did get on there, again a little to adventuresome for me. With continued cold temps that may be firmed up more to my satisfaction by next weekend.

A word of caution, I did walk out as far as between the red and black top markers just off the BI post office thinking of walking through between Bear and Pine. I could not determine just how thick the ice was few cracks, black enough to see the bottom and a couple times it cracked under foot so I decided to back away and not do it. There was evidence that somebody took a sled through there but that's a little different as I'm sure who ever rode through there wasn't going slow or at least I hope not. The rest of the ice looked to be a good 6-8 inches or more and very solid. Watch out for the ice rifts out there, one really nice one is running the whole NE side of Bear right along shore, very active and very loud. All in all a great day to be out there. Just play it safe if you venture out!

First 4 pics from cattle landing in all directions, last is the ice rift right in front of my camp. Pretty cool, but was a little uneasy getting that close to snap that pic!