Icicles

Yesterday was a beautifully sunny day, so I grabbed my camera, popped in some new batteries, and went on a brief walk.  (Sunny days are always the coldest in the winter.)

I wandered down to the Mississippi River - three blocks from my house - hoping that I would be able to find some decent pictures.  It had been quite warm for a couple of days previous and I knew that icicles would be in abundance.  Let me tell you though, they're not that easy to photograph.  My rock climbing skills came in quite handy...

...because I was climbing around on the cliffs along the river.  It was a bit more dangerous than my usual rock climbing because I wasn't climbing in designated areas, I was wearing winter boots instead of climbing shoes (as well as jeans and a coat, which limit one's mobility), I had gloves on my hands, I wasn't tied to a rope, and everything was covered in ice.  I risked my life for you all, I hope you're happy.

The river itself looked a bit dismal barren ominous desolate:

but I was still able to find running water in a couple of places.

and after climbing for a bit, I found what I was looking for (though I wish I were able to take better pictures.)

It was only a little after 3pm, and the sun was already on the horizon...

One icicle was growing on a vine, which allowed it to grow quite long.  It was almost 6 feet in length and very pointy, so naturally I laid under it to take a picture.

and with the sun going down and my batteries malfunctioning*, I snapped one more picture and headed home.  I wish my camera continued working because I didn't feel like I got what I wanted, but whatchyagonnado, right?

Brigade is almost done, I've done both arms and joined the pieces and am now making my way up the yoke.  Hopefully it'll only take a couple more days to get it finished (I thought I should throw some knitting into this post.  I don't have a picture though).

*In sixth (eighth?) grade I did a science fair experiment that tested a battery's life-span and the flashlight in the freezer definitely went out before the flashlight on the countertop.  I think that's what happened to my camera batteries too.  Now that they're warmed up again it's working fine.