Good point, Carl, our proximity to Lake Superior is the principal ameliorating factor in holding our temps. significantly higher relative to inland locations at the same latitude. Minneapolis and Madison, Wisconsin have some brutal winter temperatures. We really appreciated the underground walk-way system at the Mayo Clinic's Rochester unit when Karen had her heart rebuilt; simply get in the hotel elevator and walk the tunnels.to clinic locations, shops, and restaurants.
Dogs were hopping from one foot to the other and limping by the time they got their "business" done this morning. I have been feeding my wife's horse at mid-day for the last week due to her pneumonia; one gallon of warm water and a gallon and a half of water to soak her hay 10 cups of hay cubes in a "soup". As with other ungulates, they lower their basal metabolic rate as well as restrict activity, heart rate, and subcutaneous body temps. aided by their counter current blood circulation systems in their legs. Over the last five days her group of mares has progressed from everybody standing around dozing with their long axis oriented at a right angle to the sun, to tightly clumped behind a toe of heavy brush and trees along the creek that sticks out from the north side of their pasture. Tuesday I had a major go around with a couple of hungry mares that decided they were going through the gate to get to Jazz's food bucket on the sled; just got missed by a not too well placed hoof while I was trying to get the gate closed behind her. It was a good reminder of how far away disaster lurks.
I wish the best to guys who work outside in these temps. Crivitz, Wi. lost a hundred year plus old lumber yard and sawmill in a fire, largely because of complications incurred by firefighters who had to rotate in groups to fight the blaze, due to the below zero work condition's impact on their health and well being.
