Summer's Plateau

July 2nd through 8th

It was warm last week with the first several days having a bonus of high humidity. No rain though. The several day long lack of precipitation has the lake level in retreat. It's dropped 1.5 inches, but it's still very high.

Looking over the hill to the East, it looks like Devils Lake has a good crop of weed growth. In the background, Lakes Wabikon and Riley also seem to have a few weeds.

Looking a bit more South, we spotted what seemed at first glance to be a smallish pond. Initially we thought it was Indian Springs, the welling up of ice cold ground water that feeds Lake Riley.

After checking a few maps, it was later determined that it was just a swampy pond.

After swinging the camera West, it was noted that Lake Metonga is still there.

The week long drought has taken its toll on both Upper and Lower Walerko. Tadpoles that at one time could roam for 10's of feet up and down the shore are now confined to a small, wiggly puddle. Nobody went wading into it, it's kind of gross.

Around mid-week, the 2018 maple syrup season officially ended when the main boiling pan was polished and put way until next year.

The ski show on Wednesday had one of the biggest crowds ever.

Fishing on the North end of Lake Lucerne seems good.

The geese that have been terrorizing golfers at the NCC course were joined by another pack of honkers. My caddie recommended a sand wedge, but I went with a camera instead.

Many of the small ones have shed most of their little fuzzball coat and have adopted a more semi-plucked chicken look.

It's unlikely the rain will come soon enough to save the ecosystem on Upper Walerko. We won't so much mourn the tadpoles' passing as hold our breath while passing. Enjoying the stench that only a thousand dead amphibians can deliver is not on this year's bucket list. On a more positive note, the Herons are gonna be fat and happy. Lake Lucerne is down 1.5 inches this week, but strong winds and waves continue to push shore debris into skiing lanes. <br><br>-Nemo held his nose, quickened his pace.