Myworld is all about ice. I am learning the slow lessons with the freezes and the thaws. The ice cycle is more complex than the water cycle. I have just begun to figure it out. This is what I am learning.

Ihave an ice rink on a nearby lake. This is what I have learned about keeping ice smooth. You must keep the ice clear of snow. You wouldn't think itbut the snow acts as a blanket and traps the heat of the water. Yes, theheat of the water in a frozen lake. It traps the heat and makes a slushor even water layer, and then another layer of ice forms on top. I didn'tkeep my ice rink clear of snow, and went back to clear it.

ThereI was moving a foot of snow, chopping through ice, and standing in an inchof water. I haven't been back to see how well that water froze. I'm told that can be problematic.

 
Ithink that ice rinks are the most complicated ice operations. Most of the time your only goal is to melt ice. With a rink you want to sustain a quality of ice. I didn't know I was starting at the advanced level. I am a purist about my rink. I have to have it on the lake with no houses. Kevin, hehas a rink on a lake with houses. I use a shovel to clear my snow. Kevin,he uses a four wheeler, or just wheeler, as he says, with a plow. My rinkhas the prettier sunsets.