Here in my town we have two large lakes, Lake Cadillac (1440 acres) and Lake Mitchell (2400 acres.) Connecting the lakes is a canal that was originally used to float logs from one lake to the other during the lumber days, so that they could be loaded on the train (which still runs today.) The canal itself is approx. 3/10 of a mile long.
Here are some pictures of the town and lakes, so you can get an idea. I live a few blocks off of Lake Cadillac, near the wetland preserve and within walking distance to the best beach and park in the area, Kenwood park.
This is overlooking Lake Cadillac. Lake Mitchell is visible in the back right.
Downtown Park
Airplane view
Here is a view of the canal facing Lake Cadillac.
And a view facing Lake Mitchell.
This is one of the coves in Kenwood Park, which is the one we walk to in the summer.
Okay, now that you all understand exactly why I put up with the winters here, lol, lets get back to the canal
In the winter, the first thing that freezes is the canal, since it is shallower than the lakes. When the lakes freeze, the weight of the ice pushes the warmer water from the lakes up into the shallow waters of the canal, causing it to thaw back out, and it usually remains open water through the rest of the winter.
Lord knows how long ago, a group of (presumably) boys decided that it would be GREAT fun to shoot the canal on a snowmobile. Now, I am not talking about the canal when it is frozen, but rather after it thaws out. It is insanely dangerous, but definitely a cool thing to see.
[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmofn9YPN_k[/video]
This one BARELY makes it!
[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziKDDJX-T8[/video]
Another...
[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6cJmHbHtus[/video]
Keep in mind, the water is 20 foot deep and the air temp is usually in the mid 20's to mid teens when this takes place...
Anyway, I was taking my daughter to school this morning and we drive around the lake and along the canal to do so, and I thought maybe a few people would enjoy this
Here are some pictures of the town and lakes, so you can get an idea. I live a few blocks off of Lake Cadillac, near the wetland preserve and within walking distance to the best beach and park in the area, Kenwood park.
This is overlooking Lake Cadillac. Lake Mitchell is visible in the back right.
Downtown Park
Airplane view
Here is a view of the canal facing Lake Cadillac.
And a view facing Lake Mitchell.
This is one of the coves in Kenwood Park, which is the one we walk to in the summer.
Okay, now that you all understand exactly why I put up with the winters here, lol, lets get back to the canal
In the winter, the first thing that freezes is the canal, since it is shallower than the lakes. When the lakes freeze, the weight of the ice pushes the warmer water from the lakes up into the shallow waters of the canal, causing it to thaw back out, and it usually remains open water through the rest of the winter.
Lord knows how long ago, a group of (presumably) boys decided that it would be GREAT fun to shoot the canal on a snowmobile. Now, I am not talking about the canal when it is frozen, but rather after it thaws out. It is insanely dangerous, but definitely a cool thing to see.
[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmofn9YPN_k[/video]
This one BARELY makes it!
[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziKDDJX-T8[/video]
Another...
[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6cJmHbHtus[/video]
Keep in mind, the water is 20 foot deep and the air temp is usually in the mid 20's to mid teens when this takes place...
Anyway, I was taking my daughter to school this morning and we drive around the lake and along the canal to do so, and I thought maybe a few people would enjoy this