SE Iowa

Logged 26 tough miles on drifted ice at Lake McBride New Year's day. Not recommended for winds under 20MPH.

Bumpy ride at Lake McBride.

Ice rough in the middle, smooth at the edges. 20MPH breezes produced a 62 mile day. A Skimmer and a DN also sailed.

rolley

Escaped McBride

to the more open area off Sandy Beach at the Coralville Rez. Gusty winds in the low to mid 20s, flurries and sun, rough and smooth. Ran out of daylight at 58 miles. Most of the adaptations made to the boat over the years were for just this sort of day. With tall chocks for clearance, springy solid hickory planks for comfort, a 12 meter sail for power, and heavy duty everything, rough ice is fun.

rolley

Lake Rathbun, Ia.

Just north of Missouri and south of the snow line. Ice over a foot thick. Surface about 5% covered with low drifts. Sixty miles of fast cruising without breaking anything earns it a rating of +3.

rolley

Rathbun again

With gusts in the 30's, today a carbon copy of last Friday but with 2" of blowing snow added. Surface a 2.

rolley

Lake McBride, Ia.

Steady 15MPH winds, 12" of clear ice and a surface of 7-9 produced a pleasant 68 miles Thursday the 19th.

rolley

Lake McBride, Ia.

Logged 89 miles Saturday, an epic day. Sustained winds of 25-30MPH blew off the 2" of powder as the day progressed.

rolley

Lake Mc Bride

Where exactly in Iowa is lake Mc Bride???

Sandy Beach

Traded the better ice of McBride (just south of Cedar Rapids) for the better wind of the Coralville Rez. Logged 58 sunny miles on ice rated 4 to 7. Sunday may have been it for the season locally unless we get a good early March cold snap. I'll be heading north when the weatherman starts using words like blustery, wind advisory, or ground blizzard. Happy sailing.

rolley

Dying breed?

Logged 78 miles Sunday at Sandy Beach on ice in the 7 to 9 range. Met an older guy there who said he'd counted 20 to 30 ice boats on the lake when he had flown over it in an ultralite back in the early 70's.

rolley

Last sail at McBride

Fast ice in the 8 to 9 range with light winds produced a nice 50 mile day. Jumped a few 8" cracks and just missed an inexplicable hole. May be time to get out the wheel kit for some SW action. Am ready for some intense sun, dust, and long days. Look out jackrabbits.

rolley