Spring Clean Up

April 22nd through 28th
The lake ice was frail and frayed around the edges at the start of last week. To the sorrow of those with late April dates in this year's ice-out contest, the ice located farther from the shore proved to be made of a more hardy stock. At the start of the week, the final batch of the almost-syrup was transfered from the auxiliary cooker to the finishing pan for the last time this season. A few hours of fire after the transfer, the season's closing batch was running through the plate filter. It's been a strong year for maple syrup production. A longer run and sweeter sap has it up almost 50% over last year. The sun occasionally peaked through the clouds last week making for some very nice sunsets. In addition to sun, the lake also got about a quarter inch of rain. The rain combined with the snow-melt pushed creeks and streams into Lucerne up to almost river levels. The first lake level measurement of the year has the lake at 28 inches above the nail, a new record for the century. Huzzah! (unless that's your dock floating away down the edge. Then "Boo!" The rain and sun seem to be especially appreciated by the local deciduous. By the weekend, the ice had retreated from the shore almost enough for a ski run. Early Spring footers were spotted moving up and down the open stretches. The ice on other lakes around the area is either breaking up or, like on Devils Lake just to the East, gone. Farther to the East, lakes Wabikon and Riley are both open. Lake Metonga still has ice, but it seems to be breaking into great sheets. One or two days of strong wind and warm should sweep it clean. At the end of the week, the ice on Lake Lucerne showed no signs of going out anytime soon. We still have ice. Despite that 3 mile long rotting reminder of February, Spring is all around us. The days are filled with birdsong and spring peepers have been heard at night. The local golf course has officially opened and the greens look like they've come through the Winter in pretty good shape. The high pitched screams of the first swimmers jumping into the icy water are just a few weeks away.<br><br>-Nemo waits with a towrope in one hand and a golf club in the other.