Spring Clean Up

April 22nd through 28th, 2019

Lake Lucerne
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.
Lake Lucerne
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.
Lake Lucerne
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.
Lake Lucerne
The sun occasionally peaked through the clouds last week making for some very nice sunsets.
Lake Lucerne
In addition to sun, the lake also got about a quarter inch of rain.
Lake Lucerne
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!"
Lake Lucerne
The rain and sun seem to be especially appreciated by the local deciduous.
Lake Lucerne
By the weekend, the ice had retreated from the shore almost enough for a ski run.
Lake Lucerne
Early Spring footers were spotted moving up and down the open stretches.
Lake Lucerne
The ice on other lakes around the area is either breaking up or, like on Devils Lake just to the East, gone.
Lake Lucerne
Farther to the East, lakes Wabikon and Riley are both open.
Lake Lucerne
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.
Lake Lucerne
At the end of the week, the ice on Lake Lucerne showed no signs of going out anytime soon.
Lake Lucerne
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.


-Nemo waits with a towrope in one hand and a golf club in the other.