Apparently, an ice breaker went through the bay, and shortly thereafter gail-force winds blew the ice chunks into a huge shelf. We first approached the shoves and were in awe of the variety of ice.
Usually, ice is...ice. Not much to it, not that notable. There are plenty of times that Luke and I went ice fishing and I didn't pay it much attention, other than commenting that ice fishing sure isn't as much fun as regular fishing, due to the ice everywhere.
In fact, it's hard to do this ice justice through description. The words I would use... solid... hard... clear...clunky... are all the same words you would use to describe ice from your freezer.
But this ice sparkled and shimmered. It was beautifully clear and gorgeously breathtaking. It was so much fun to hold and photograph that I barely noticed my red and hurting hands.
We also found hoarfrost, which forms from crystallized water vapor. It looked like a tiny forest growing up from the ice sheet.
Luke was the first one to decide to climb the shoves. Dad and I watched as he disappeared and reappeared around ice boulders as he climbed to the top.
After a few minutes, we decided to stop letting him have all the fun, and Dad and I joined in on the trek to the top. It definitely wasn't safe to be climbing them, and legally I should recommend that you don't take the risk.
Our shins got barked a couple times, and it was clear that one misstep would cause a broken limb, but I have to admit that it was worth it. The view from the top was extraordinary
Looking ahead, the daily highs are above freezing for the foreseeable future. I'm not sure that the ice shoves will exist for much longer.
One more thing:
Heaven is a popular lunchtime topic for Grace and I. She is always asking questions about it: What temperature will it be there? Will there be animals? What will we eat? Will you have a garden? Can I live in a castle?
I can answer some of those questions, but for the most part we really don't know the details of Heaven. It's fun to imagine how amazing that place will be, which God, who knows us and loves us more than we can imagine, has prepared specially for us.
When I see amazing moments in nature, it is as if we are getting a sneak-peek at the amazing Heaven Christians can look forward to dwelling in, when we are face to face with Christ.
The ice and the ice shoves reminded me of where the book of Revelation talks about New Jerusalem. It is described in verses 10 and 11:
"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal"
An inadequate comparison, of course, but it cheers me to have it.Have you seen any glimpses of Heaven recently?
