First March Weekend

March 4th through 6th, 2011

Lake Lucerne
Winter. There were hopes that this year would be like the last and winter would be over by the start of March. It's still winter on Lake Lucerne. There are still single digit temperatures in the morning and strong winds to make the air seem even colder.
Lake Lucerne
On the plus side, there is a fresh inch of snow bonded to the lake making it less contusion-y enough for the lake golf season to begin.
Lake Lucerne
The cold cloud cover cleared at sunset. There were reports the the aurora borealis was going to be dominating the night sky.
Lake Lucerne
We saw Orion, 2 Iridium flares, 3 meteors and a very bright passing of the ISS/Space shuttle Discovery, but no Aurora. Boo. It was also cold.
Lake Lucerne
It was very cold Sunday morning. It was also time to check the thickness of the ice. After clearing away a light covering of snow the drilling began.
Lake Lucerne
The drilling did not end until much later.
Lake Lucerne
There is 2 very solid feet of very hard ice on the lake.
Lake Lucerne
It's also very clear looking up from under the hole.
Lake Lucerne
Before heading home on Sunday, the temperature pushed above freezing.
Lake Lucerne
Higher temperatures mean tree tapping season is less than a week away with pancakes and butter a few weeks after that.
Lake Lucerne
The lake was cracking and popping in the bright light on Sunday. I think that this weekend might be peak ice so holes will be easier to make in the next few weekends. Father John Cerkas was back saying mass in Laona on Saturday and Sam's (the bar across from Silver lake) proved to be a tasty place for supper afterwards. There's still snow on the Nicolet golf course. I wouldn't bother trying to get a tee time there next week. The 6125 yard (from the men's tee), par 33 hole that is the Lake Lucerne winter golf course is open. Men tee off from the public boat landing, women from Water's Edge. The hole is between the two bottle rocket war forts and may need to be re-drilled if it's frozen over. Winter rules are in effect.


-Nemo ate your pancake.