Winter in McCall is cold and dry this year. What should be a tiny mountain town blanketed in crisp, white snow drifts and bustling with ski-loving tourists is instead a bitter cold, ice encrusted, and nearly vacant little corner of Idaho. Everywhere I went during my last trip home, shop owners were wringing their hands and praying for snow. Since the saw mill closed in ’77, McCall’s economy shifted greatly – from that of a working man’s town to some semblance of a tourist town.

Strange and frustrating though the weather is, it affords the locals some incredible – and free – entertainment. Little Lake froze hard and fast this year, and the lack of snow combined with the extreme cold made it possible to walk on ice unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Like tiny galaxies suspended in the deep black of space, air bubbles of all shapes and sizes peered up at me from the vast expanse of the frozen lake. Trapped between layers of ice along their upward journey, the pockets of air shimmered like mercury orbs in the brittle sunlight.

The day my mother and I ventured out upon the creaking, booming ice of the winter prairie, there were scores of McCall locals scattered across the lake, quietly enjoying the remarkable and ephemeral gift nature made for us.

Simple elegance – air and ice.

Me, taking pictures of the ice formation shown in the above photograph. The rest of these lovely images were taken by my mom. We had a beautiful day together…..

Shawl: poly-wool blend – no tags (thrift store)
Sweater vest: wool – J Crew (new)
Blouse: silk – no tags (thrift store)
Skirt: wool – Pendleton (thrift store)
Boots: leather/shearling wool – Blondo (thrift store)
Belt: leather/brass/abalone – very special gift from my mother.
She bought it in ’72, and I may have recently begged her to give it to me…..
Jewelry: If you’ve read my other posts, you know these pieces by now. If not, do so!