Ice-Out 2018: The About Timening

May 7th through 13th

One element of last week started out as all the other weeks this year did. The lake was frozen. Other elements were different. Very different. It was warm, sunny, and greening up. The ice would not see another weekend.

Other lesser lakes had been open for almost a week. Of the local lakes, only Lucerne and Metonga were holding onto their ice.

Early last Monday, the great sheet of cold that covered Lucerne had taken on a patchy, molted look.

Before noon, the lake ice split in two. Strong winds pushed the Northern sheet towards the North shore.

As the sheet hit the shore, it started to pile onto itself.

Because there was not much to the ice, it broke up before damaging piers and lifts.

Over the hill to the West, Lake Metonga was also in the process of ridding itself of its ice.

By Tuesday morning, the ice sheet was smaller, thinner.

Tuesday was hot. By afternoon, the ice was almost gone.

It's been a long Winter. Waving bye to the ice was a very satisfying, almost cathartic experience.

So far, ice-out did not bring out many fishermen. At least not ones in boats.

The lake is up! It was 1978 since we've been this high (25 inches above the nail). Some docks are now rafts.

In the woods, the trillium and wild leaks are up. Huzzah!

Currently, Knottlane Dot Com board members were called to an emergency meeting and pool party in the extreme Southwest corner of the lake.

The lakes and ponds here are good for swimming, not so good for skiing, and fishing is right out. There's not many trillium here, either.

Congratulations to all the 2018 Ice-Out contest winners! The ice held on much longer than is usual. We're going to need some real warm weather to get that lake temperature up to not so scream-y levels for June. Our bet is that the first ski show will feature pyramids, blue skin, and lots of shrieking.<br><br>-Nemo, cocktail in one hand, camera in the other.