A sandy beach, a hot sun and cold drinks by the water’s side. Sounds so beautiful to many but what about turning the scene on its head? A crispy white landscape, a cool sun and the view of a frozen lake before you. These incredible scenes experienced throughout the world can stir great emotions and wonderment. Winter scenes beyond many other experiences, the beauty of frozen lakes.
Frozen beauty – Scenes like these must be seen with your own eyes to leave a truly great memory. Just take a look at the above, Lake Erie, one the Great Lakes in North America.
The anomaly… Water is not your ‘typical liquid’. When liquids freeze they freeze at the bottom and work upwards because the liquid will become more dense as it freezes and thus be below the unfrozen water. Due to a quirk in chemical science, water becomes less dense upon freezing and thus ice forms on the top. This gives rise to the beautiful frozen topped lake scenes that we can see around the world.
The frozen scenes have given rise to many wonderful human pastimes around the world. Ice skating, ice fishing and great sights as in the picture above with Ice Sailing. In 1600s Netherlands Ice Sailing was the means of getting passengers and wares across icy expanses. During the 19th century this developed into a sport which has become even bigger in recent times.
Many of the amazing frozen scenes around the world come with a true sense of travel. Hidden reflective paradises may need climbing up to.
Gurudogmar Lake, India, is one of the highest lakes in the world. At 17,100 ft (5,210 m) it is high in altitude and remote, it can however be reached by road. Of course it makes an amazing finale to a possible fulfilling trekking climb don’t you think?
In the high west of Italy, near the borders with Austria and Switzerland is the highest lake in the Alps above 1000m, Lake Reschen. Maybe remote but once home to thriving villages. The scene above is made iconic with the steeple of a 14th century church rising out of the icy waters. The mid 20th century brought promises of electricity to cities way down below, a damn was built that submerged the village, leaving the bell tower standing.
I will admit, some of my favourite views in my memory have been gained by reaching cold, frozen, icy places around the world. Frozen lakes, surrounded by snow capped mountains and a quiet stillness all around. To be there a sense of awe comes over at the scenes that nature can produce.
Go wander, go see, go experience, go explore. Discover and see the frozen water expanses that nature has provided.
