TRINITY'S 2nd Annual 2011-2012 Icing Challenge

[Terry]

                Hello Everyone,
                             It's (thankfully) that time of year again, the beginning of the 2011-2012 icing season. Scuba Steve Steichen (Arcflash) and I went out to North Arm on Lake Minnetonka to check on conditions, last Sat Dec. 3rd. We had 3/4"-1" of clear ice enough to support us (just barely) at 150 pounds each, although it fractured with every step, too thin to support even a thin, diver in gear, we busted thru in a few spots near shore, I suspect the reason for the visit from the DNR after the dive.
                             This years challenge isn't about, anchors, or time underwater, or money, or ice scoopers, or all the glory, or even the prizes (no doubt my friends, Nate (Shooter) and John (Detectorguy), last years winners, would say, "so Terry, it isn't about the prizes,,,, how is that any different than, say, last year?" This year's challenge is about the, good times, the laughs, the blizzard adventures, the postings, the pics, (even those stupid, mini-me pics) the cold beers, (or chaw) the found junk (or treasure) that dandy good grouper of Nate's, grilled out on the ice, the shared knowledge of what we learned from each other, and NOT hooking fisherman, least not ones with bad ashma.
                             As the old man (hang on, my brain just,,, exploded,,,,,,) of last years group, I do need to go with electrically heated gloves this year so if anyone has a suggestion on those,,,,and speaking of heat, to steal that regular shelter idea from Nate and John, ohhh, a shack looks like a GOOD idea.
                             I'd like to thank all the judges from last year, (Christie, Angie, Bob) and all the divers, Nate and John, who provided the inspiration (and grouper) to keep going, Steve, who I continue to learned a lot from, Young Joe (Hydro) who hauled me back from deaths door on the western side of Tonka, Robert (scubafreak864), who brought new entheusium in the middle of the season, and a dandy 4 wheeler when the ice was getting thin, and John, (Toolie) who only showed up a few times but did make me smile each time, and of course, my friend Molly.
                                                                                                                          

                             Heres a couple pics from last year showing how excited Steve and Joe (and Molly) were, and why we needed Roberts entheusium,,,,                                                                               Trinity