February 23

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On the 22nd I spent some time clearing ice off the sidewalk.  Most of our sidewalk was clear, but the part the cars drive over had 1-3" of ice, with the average over 2", I'd guess.  It was warm enough that the ice was (relatively) easy to break.  (A dirt shovel is a good tool for that job.)  You break the ice loose, and then move the broken chunks somewhere else.

Here's what that part of our sidewalk looked like, the next morning.

You can see I pitched some of the chunks on down the driveway.

I ran some "a car makes this trip much easier" errands.  I bought new shoes (the same shoes I wear every day, unless I'm wearing my boots).  They take good care of my feet.  I just walk into the running-shoe store, and say "Just like these, only newer, please.  8.5" and the nice people get me some new ones.

On the 23rd I mentioned to the person helping me that it was scary to walk outside, with so much ice on the sidewalks.  She told me that they go run on the University's North Campus all the time; that the U keeps the walks clear.  Given that the shoe store is very close to North Campus, that makes sense.  And given that I would go right by North Campus on my way home from the shoe store, I decided to stop there and walk.

I parked in the lot across from the North Campus Recreation building, and headed down this hill toward the art school.

Partway down the hill I headed east.  The University has two carillons.  I don't think I've ever heard the one in this tower play.

It wasn't terribly cold on the 23rd, but it was windier than I need it to be.

Lots of open space on North Campus, as well as lots of art, and lots of excellent trees and other plants.

I wonder if that piece of rebar(?) apparently supporting the heart on the left is necessary for structural reasons, or for artistic reasons?  And I wonder what is the meaning of the rubble underneath.

This is the way the buildings on North Campus are labeled.  Apparently this is what donors prefer.  It isn't very informative for visitors, who might be more interested in knowing what's going on in the building than in who gave the money to build it. 

At least this is a nice alliterative name.....

The bell tower, with a snow person.

A rather Calvin-ish snow person -- the "oh no!" face, and twiggy arms that are almost invisible here, against the trees and their branches.

Looking back at the bell tower.

Sycamore and shadow, on a blue winter day.

Turning just a bit left of the previous; this is where I came from.  That "last look at the bell tower" shot was taken at the other end of the sidewalk at left in this next shot.

Having walked back west, here is the way back to the car.  Up and up and up.....

The sidewalks were just fine for walking!  That one big puddle by Bob and Betty's building did not quite cover the sidewalk, and it was the only hazard of any significance that I encountered.

Thank you, University of Michigan, for rendering part of the world safe for pedestrians!

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