Ice Engineering

Happy 2013!  The  kids and grandkids left yesterday morning.   So, Tom and I stayed up, watched the new year roll in last night, slept late this morning and are spending a nice quiet day here at home. 

It seemed like a good time to check the pictures on the wildlife camera.   On it, I found the usual wildlife pictures, along with an amazing engineering feat that involved the grandkids.  Here's a sequence of pictures that documents their engineering prowess.   But, first, some background.

I've mentioned many times how we are in the midst of a terrible drought.  Most of the creeks are dry and several of the shallower ponds nearby have dried up.  So, this fall we purchased a large plastic water tub to set out for the deer and other wildlife.  The wildlife seem to appreciate it very much, as demonstrated below.

However, during the cold weather we've recently had, the water froze.  By the time the grandkids got here, it had warmed up enough that they could enjoy playing outside, but there was still a thick layer of ice on top of the water tub.  This did not go unnoticed by them.

It was so thick, in fact, that it would support their weight.

They immediately went about trying to remove the ice.

But this was going to require more than just 2 of them.

Notice how the little one on the right is using all her might to push down on that end.  I think at this point they realized if they could push one end deep enough into the unfrozen water at the bottom, then the other end would rise far enough out of the water that they could get under it and maybe get it out.  But they needed more help.

The youngest grandson was enlisted.  I imagine it was his idea to use those old bricks as weights.  I'm glad they used the bricks rather than one of themselves for weight.  I'm sure they would have gotten in trouble with their parents had they come in with wet shoes, socks and feet!  

Finally, they had enough weight piled up on one end so the other end was up out of the water.

But a lot of strength was needed to lift that ice up enough that they could get their hands under it.

Then it was "all hands on deck" to finish the task.

Finally, they were able to stand back and take pride in their accomplishment.

Not sure what Grandpa is doing out there . . .  pointing to something.  Whatever, I know he appreciated them getting that hunk of ice out of the water tub.  Otherwise, he would have had to do it himself.  And, I'm sure HE would not have had nearly as much fun as they had.