The Gray

April 17th through 23rd

Last week began with rain, which is just a gray way of saying the lake level is going up. Despite a general flatness on Lake Lucerne, nobody skied between those drops.

One reason, perhaps the most relevant reason, for the lack of skiers is the lake's temperature. Forty six degrees Fahrenheit is a wee bit nippy. Such temperatures add way too much physical and emotional trauma to boat towed types (skiers, knee boarders, footers).

It rained! And not just a few tenth-of-an-inch type events. With more forecast to come, the lake is on course to rise to heights not seen since the early 00's

It goes without sayin' that creeks and streams flowing into the lake continue to be full.

The last batch of maple syrup was boiled down, filtered, and bottled.

Pans were cleaned and put away for next year. Too cold, followed by too warm, pushed syrup totals down by about 25% this year. Lower, but high enough to assure that no pancake goes dry.

Mid week, we were called away to the extreme southwestern corner of the lake area for a Spring Knottlane board meeting and tanning invitational. When competitively tanning, it's important to remember not to go for the gold or silver but the bronze!

Plants here are several weeks ahead of those on Lucerne's shore.

It has been raining here frequently (daily at the top of the hour from 10 AM to 9 PM. Fridays and Saturdays at the bottom of the hour, too.) Showers are short and highly localized. No one skied.

That, and there's a new Garrett's open near the daily storms. We could really use a Garrett's on the North end of the lake.

First, we have to thank Sally H. for sending lake and lake area images to us as we attend meetings and Garrett. Thanks Sally! The hills reflected in the lake have entered that part of the year colloquially called "The Gray". The snow and ice are gone and the leaves have not arrived, leaving the Northwoods painted in mostly shades of gray (side note: also the worst Star Trek TNG episode ever). In contrast to the melancholy imagery, this time of year is filled with the joyous anticipation of another Summer on the lake. Perhaps "The Gray" is just nature's way of throttling down that level of excitement to more manageable levels.<br><br><br>-Nemo requires 16 more ℉ before toe joins lake.