Thanks everyone for all the helpful information, I thought I would be out of luck since its so late in the posting season
Over the holiday, we were blessed with 2 days of 40 degree weather which allowed the skimmer to thaw and the surface ice to become paper thin. The return lines are about 36" buried, so I think I may be in luck as far as the freezing of those. I was able to disconnect the filter and pump, winterize both and drop the water level about 36 inches. I was trying, amatuer, I know, to avoid dropping the water below the returns, that was my initial plan, to save water. Does anyone have any opinions on the 1 way valves that are sold for the returns? Or should I just hurry, drop the water line and quit dilly dallying around?