This last weekend saw the 14th annual Book Across the Bay an annual 10k snow shoe/ski race across the Chequamegon bay. This year the race had 3300 registrants raising money that goes to the Book Across the Bay Community Grant Program. This program gives funds to organisations that encourage physical and mental wellness among residents of the Chequamegon Bay region. Recently this has included the Legion Memorial Library in Mellen, the City of Ashland Parks and Recreation Department, and the UW-Extension, Bayfield County among others. According to the Event’s creators:

Book Across the Bay is the upper Midwest’s most unique winter event, open to skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels. The 10-kilometer course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn, and follows a route not on land, but over the frozen surface of Lake Superior, the world’s largest lake. The event is held at night, and the course is lit by the stars above and up to 1,000 candles in ice luminaries that line the entire route.

For those of you wondering, yes the event does include beer and chili as mandated by the Wisconsin State Constitution. All post race aches and pains aside I have to say my first snow shoe race was a great experience and I’m definitely returning next year. More info on the Book Across the Bay site, and a growing photo set on Flickr.