Ice Carousel

Feb. 2015

Eleven years ago, we built a multi-colored igloo in the front yard. I had spent two years collecting half-gallon containers to freeze colored water. That frigid winter, the igloo—which took a day and a half to build—stayed up for three weeks, until it was drained of color and turned white. It helped perk up the cold winter months.

Shortly after the igloo came down, I discovered an ice carousel—where you cut a circle in the ice on a body of water and use a motor to make it spin. I’ve been waiting 11 years for it to be cold enough to try one.

Knowing we had an available weekend, I reached out to some friends I thought would be interested. I am so grateful to have friends who say yes to silly, crazy fun. And they don’t just say yes—they show up with helpful ideas and chainsaws, snowmobiles, shovels, and massive ice picks. I really needed my friends because I’m afraid to use a chainsaw.

The ice was 12–14 inches thick. We measured out a 30-foot diameter circle and got to work chainsawing and chiseling out chunks of ice. It took five hours. Our circle was imperfect, but it didn’t matter. That night, we lit the carousel.

We hadn’t told too many people we were doing it because we didn’t know if it would work. And unlike the igloo, it wasn’t very accessible. The igloo was in our front yard. This was in the backyard—down our hill, through thick snow, and a 100-foot walk out onto the ice. It’s a shame more people couldn’t see it.

The motor we used to make it spin was quiet, so it was a serene, magical moment. There was nearly a full moon, which added to the magic. I love being out on the ice when the Wethersfield Cove freezes over. It always feels extraordinary to walk across a body of water.

As much as I loved the igloo, afterward Matt and I both said, “Never again.” But Matt is already talking about how we can improve the ice carousel… so maybe, just maybe… if we find ourselves with another frigid winter, you can come for a spin on the ice!