Down a Notch

August 15th through 21st

Until last week, Summer's volume had been turned to 11. It was hot, sunny, muggy, and totally Fall free. Last week, someone snuck up to Summer's amp and turned it down to 9.5. The days were still hot, but mornings cool.

Oddly enough, during much of the week, the lake was only steaming on the North end. Whether this was due to the North end of the lake's cooler air or warmer water we can't say.

Still, the days were hot and locals spent much time in and under the lake.

The water temperature bounced between 77F and 79 F. At about 15 feet there was some mixing with the thermocline and the water temperatures dropped to the 60's. This made the gathering of golf balls hit into deeper waters much more refreshing.

If you look closely, there are other subtle signs that Summer is not immortal. Peak color should be about 5 or 6 weeks away, but some clusters of leaves didn't get the memo.

Past years late Summer dryness kept the lake level low. This Summer we've had none of that. Lake Lucerne is currently holding onto its Spring gains! Huzzah!

It's been so wet this Summer that the swamp below Sugarbush Hill, known to us as the "Sponge Forest", is starting to shine in the morning sun as water pools up in it. I don't think it will ever be a lake in it's own right, but all that water should keep the local artesian aquifer stocked and the level of Lake Lucerne up.

The second last scheduled ski show of 2016 started at 6:30 PM last Wednesday. There's only one more left and then Footstock. Be there.

Mrs Nemo commented that there is a lot of blue in this week's update. She's right. The sky, lake, raft, divers that venture below 15 feet, and moods when it rains all day have a touch or more of the azure. By Sunday's sunset, the blue waters of Lake Lucerne will be an inch or two deeper and a degree or two cooler thanks to all the weekend rain.<br><br>-Nemo still has a touch of smurfism due to retrieving a Titleist from 22 feet.

Video from last week