It sounded like rain this afternoon with the melting snow dripping off my roof creating a deep cut to the ground in the four foot snow bank. Water does have the power to cut through even rock, although it might take a little longer than cutting through my snow banks. My snow bank cut wasn’t as impressive as the slice in this rock.
Slice in Rock
Today was a nice summer day to enjoy outdoor activities, like some boating or canoeing on lakes or rivers, or even a hike on some trails.
Canoeing on the River
It was another gray day with light snow falling throughout the day. I rather have a gray day in the summer when it is not raining so I can take a hike through rock formations but I wouldn’t like to try this hike on a day like today if the trail is icy and snow covered.
Walking Through Old Lava Flows
Although it wasn’t stormy today, it was still a rainy day which could raise the river level slightly. The forecast of a drier day tomorrow may allow people to enjoy some time on the river on a summer day.
High Water on the River
On this warm weekend day, some visitors to the Dalles of the St. Croix River area may have been doing some rock climbing in the deep basalt gorge, which has walls as high as 250 feet above the water. The rock formation in the center looks like the toy robot in the “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots” old game that originally came out in 1964.
Rock Robot
On this holiday weekend, some people have headed to campgrounds and park to kick off the summer vacation season. Some may have to deal with rain on their outing and these glacial potholes in Interstate State Park may fill with even more water.
Glacial Potholes
On a January day where the high doesn’t reach zero, it is easy to dream about a warm July day instead, which could include time on the water or hiking around the trails on the rocks. The potholes and other natural features make Interstate Park an interesting place to explore.
July Day at Interstate Park
Various rock formations on the cliffs bordering the St. Croix River by the Interstate State Park have names, although a few take some imagination to see why they were named that, but it is easier to see a face in this rock formation which called Old Man of the Dalles.
Old Man of the Dalles
On the riverbed of the Glacial St. Croix River, which was fed the melting ice sheets that were a mile thick over 10,000 years ago, sand and gravel were caught in giant eddies. The action of the swirling rocks wore holes in the hard basalt riverbed and larger rocks that fell into the holes were tumbled and spun until nearly smooth.
This large pothole is called the Lily Pond, since in the early days of the state park, water lilies were planted in the pothole. I didn’t see any lilies in the pothole, although a frog was croaking up a storm, but I think it might need to be renamed Pea Soup Pond instead.
Lily Pond Pothole
Since today is the last day of autumn, one more colorful autumn picture is needed especially since another cloudy dreary day and looking out at stark bare trees.
End of Autumn
