Post Halloween to the Start of the Gun Deer Season

November 10th through 23rd, 2015

Lake Lucerne
In the extreme southwestern corner of the lake, the trees were still stubbornly holding on to their leaves when we got the call from the College of Loons to return to Lake Lucerne to monitor Ice-In.
Lake Lucerne
When going back to the shore, you pass a few hills suitable for downhill skiing. Some were apparently not getting enough of the white stuff fast enough, so they were making snow at an amazing rate.
Lake Lucerne
There are plenty of places between there and here to stop for fuel, food, and restrooms. Some are more tempting than others. Who can resist the allure of a nice gas station buffet (it turns out we can).
Lake Lucerne
Sidney Nebraska, home of the "Classy Restroom".
Lake Lucerne
After almost 30 hours of wheel time, we were greeted with a snow dusted raft and an ice free lake.
Lake Lucerne
The creek in the northeastern corner is a flowing!
Lake Lucerne
The lake is 14.75 inches below the nail. That's a quarter of an inch above the level at ice-out and almost 5 inches better than before ice-in last year. So, Yay!
Lake Lucerne
The lake temperature is currently around 45°F. There's no ice.
Lake Lucerne
That cold water is as clear as crystal.
Lake Lucerne
When we last trod on the shore of the lake, there were a few leaves, having not got the memo about Fall, clinging to branches. They're gone now.
Lake Lucerne
The snow on the ground is not deep enough to cover the grass. An expected warm up (above freezing) should erase much of the white and may even inspire some late-late season golf.
Lake Lucerne
The condition of Knott Lane is about as good as it gets. There's very little ice and practically no snow. That'll change soon enough.
Lake Lucerne
We're back! And we've killed three mice! That's more killing than can be boasted from our deer camp. So far our hunters have been stink squirreled (skunked). The lake is not very close to ice-in. Lake Wabikon is still open and Lucerne usually goes a week of two after Wabikon ices up. We and the rest of the College of Loons will be monitoring the situation closely.


-Nemo; Passer of gas station buffets, killer of mice.