"Take the Lake"

Approximately ten metres wide and five kilometres long, it knocks a good twenty minutes from the time it takes to drive to town and back. No, it's not rapid public transit, nor is it the result of expensive bridge engineering. And yet, it could very well be both - minus the cost.
It's our seasonal highway across the frozen lake.
Not only a quick, as-the-crow-flies route to town, the byway is also peppered with a variety of quaint (and not-so-quaint) ice fishing shacks. As well, it is not uncommon to see entire families out picnicking, young ones in tow - literally. There are always toboggans loaded with laughter being pulled behind all terrain vehicles and snow mobiles. Barbeques, bonfires and woodstoves abound - it's cold out there! On the weekends the ice surface becomes a veritable midwinter playground.
Organised events are also numerous. January hails the annual Curling Bonspeil on the Ice and, in February, there are the Ice Fishing Derby and Snow Golf Tournament. Try finding a golf ball in the snow...
Then there's the unexpected. One evening, as I was heading home and preparing to launch onto the ice road, I waited at an intersection as a snowboarder, roped to a half-ton truck, crossed the intersection. Apparently, the fun continues beyond the shoreline.
That all being said, the ice highway does have its follies.
Springs and open water have taken their share of victims over past winters. Therefore, it's a good idea to stick to the road, rather than strying to far from its track.
The local hockey team does a fund-raiser each year by doing an "Ice-Out" lottery. Everyone who purchases a ticket has a chance to make a guess as to when the ice will be gone off the lake. Every year it happens in a varying ways and on a different date - all dependent upon the weather.
My guess is that we will be able to take the lake for at least another three weeks.