Before the 4th Week

June 25th through July 1st
The rain, that has been a staple of 2018, was replaced by hot last week. As a result, the lake level did not rise much (still got some watershed action going on) and lawn growth slowed to one cutting a week. In addition to the hot, last week started off with an unusually flat lake. The wind picked up as the week progressed. The increasing roughness of the water did not discourage roving gangs of kneeboarders from enjoying some rope time. More wind meant more sail craft, too. Before the wind, the hot still air combined with the wet ground to give the area a steamy rain forest look. The previously wet weeks also seemed to have spawned some new northwoods ponds. The hot, steamy air from the West stretched East well past Lakes Wabikon and Riley. Upper and Lower Walerko, just across the street from Lake Lucerne, are teaming with tadpoles. Tadpoles turn into frogs, frogs eat bugs, so yeah! The avian version of tadpoles that have set up shop in the bar's eves flew the nest just minutes after this picture was taken. They also eat bugs, so yeah! Streams (seen here in the lower right) continue to flow into the lake. Lawns (seen here all over) continue to harbor bugs that munch on lawn mower operators. The weekend hot (90+℉) kept the crowds down for Crandon's annual 4th of July Parade. Still, it was a pretty nice event. The Forest County Fair at the Brush Run track did not get rained out as expected. Huzzah! The Lake Lucerne Advancement Association's web cam at Water's Edge Bar and Eatery has been mostly stable to far this season. If you can't get away from the desk to attend a show you can watch it live. The water shows at Water's Edge are getting better and better as the Summer goes on. It was dryer last week. The lake level seems to be holding at 25.5 inches above the nail. This record level combines with wind to sweep shoreline detritus into the lake. That, plus a few lost skis, a pair of glasses (pretty sure they sunk though), a pair of pants, and a toe nail can make boating in this debris field quite challenging. So keep your eyes open and next time use a belt.<br><br>-Nemo's off to scour the shore for skis and the bottom for glasses.