Winter's Inflection

Last week started off warm (for this time of year, think above 32°F in the afternoon). Then came the kind of temperatures that reminded us that February, even late February, is not to be trifled with. As the week progressed, morning lows went from the teens to the single digits to sub-zero on Saturday morning. Then it changed.

The snow forts of January might not be ready for a round two, but they are in surprisingly good shape for this late in the season.

Roads that are well shaded still can be ugly, but stretches exposed to the sun are clear of ice and snow.

Knott Lane is well shaded. Its ice covering has a light dusting of snow, blood, and bone from the wind and the careless.

During the frigid, a path was plowed to the upper sugarbush. The snow was over 2 feet deep and the maples were frozen tight.

Local eagles were active all week. There seems to be a lot of pre-egg activity in the nest on Lake Metonga.

The weather wasn't close, but the calendar indicated that the maple syrup season will soon be upon us. To celebrate the soon to be leaky trees, our primary cooker got some much needed maintenance.

On Sunday, temperatures shot up to 45°F. The wind was light, the sun was bright, and the maples started running.

The deep snow in the woods has divided ATVs into two groups: The Tracked and The Stuck.

By sunset, the few dozen spiles we planted were all dripping.

Only just over 330 trees to go. It's gonna be a long week.

Getting from tree to tree in the deep snow requires snowshoes. You could do it with just boots, but it would take until April to get them all holed.

In addition to putting holes in maples, we made a hole in the lake to check the ice. There's almost 18 inches under about an inch of crusty, slushy snow.

The ice covering Lake Lucerne has two distinct layers. The top 5.5 inches is the more airy, frozen snow type ice. The rest is the crystal clear, super hard type. Both layers will need to be gone before anyone wins this year's ice-out contest.

Zombie Deep Winter has finally shuffled back to its grave. Booyah! Tapping season came early and we find ourselves with 330+ trees that need paths, taps, buckets, and (after a while) collecting. Boo...nah? The silver lining around those clouds of steam coming off the sap cookers are twofold. Ice-out is coming and pancakes will be properly topped. That and energy drinks and Advil are cheap and plentiful.

-Nemo could get used to this non sub-zero stuff.

Winter's Inflection

February 24th through March 1st, 2020