Two Towers of Arctic Cold

Last week kicked off more briskly than the heart of a Balrog. The icy air that whipped through the pines was in fellowship with a very blue sky and bright, warmthless sunshine. It was a good week to own a hat or to enjoy the great indoors.

Sunsets were telling. At the start of the week, a clear evening sky foretold of a brutally polar morning.

The weather was ideal for sitting at booth 1 in the bar and forcing drones to brave the arctic air to make tiny holes in the frozen sky, wee shadows on the white ground, and take a few pictures.

The roads of Monday around the lake were mostly known for their icy coats and sanded surfaces on turns and uphill stretches.

The air warmed a bit midweek. There was also a few inches of snow. Ice forts on Lake Lucerne have enjoyed the previously crispy weather and the tops of the walls grew about 3 inches higher.

The warmer weather had a clearing effect on the roads. Our journey toward Spring would have a higher coefficient of static friction that we dared hope for just a few days before.

Then came another foretelling sunset and we knew that the warmth that swaddled our shire during middle week would be bracketed by two towers of cold.

Friday morning was cold enough to freeze boiling water tossed from a pan before it hits the ground. It was judged too cold to journey outdoors to try this so instead we marveled at the frost patterns on the bar's windows.

The brief warmth did not improve the condition of Knott Lane much.

It was further noted that the weather may have been too cold to enjoy the picnic table.

It was cold last week, but the woods were not still. Especially on the weekend. Metallic screams echoed off the hills as packs of well dressed Nazgûl flew over the snow on motored, properly registered steeds questing for adventure, gas, and the one drink. They'd better find it fast. The snow on the ground was as deep as the cold in the air last week, but the calendar warns that the days of Winter are growing short. There's talk amongst the men of tramping trails next week in preparation of the 2020 maple syrup season. There are also rumors among our code monkeys that this year's ice-out contest will be up soon. Taken together, all are sure portents of Winter's death. Huzzah!

-Nemo's looking forward to Return of the Spring.

Two Towers of Arctic Cold

February 10th through 16th, 2020