The Lake Superior Ice Project yesterday.

I’ve been chronicling the rise and fall, and rise again of the Lake Superior Ice Project on Barker’s Island in Superior, Wis. Efforts have now begun to dismantle it for the season. I suspect this was spurred a bit earlier than planned due to the high temperatures (40s and 50s!) we are experiencing and that are in the forecast for the next week.

Yesterday, crews from the Superior Fire Department sprayed the formation with a hose to knock it down. Funny thing was, although the formation seemed to get skinnier, no knocking occurred. Ice Man Roger Hanson apparently did his rebuilding job too well, and now his creation can’t be destroyed!

The Lake Superior Ice Project today.

However, this morning, the lower sides of the thing have disappeared, so it’s on its way to destruction. The shape reminds me a bit of a Madonna, spreading her robed arms in a benediction upon the parking lot.

The snow is melting fast. Between the sculpture dismantling and the Apostle Islands Ice Caves closing for the season, dare we hope that spring is coming?