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November 2nd through 8th

At the beginning of last week, the weather finally clawed back up to average temperatures...and then it went beyond the average to the extraordinary. There was sun, there were hat-less heads, and there should have been golf as air soared above 70°F all the way into the weekend. As the warm melted away the snow and other bits of frozen from the previous weeks, inflows celebrated a mini Spring renaissance. Unfortunately, the warm did not extend to the lake water. Removing items from the lake (rafts, piers, boat lifts) is best done when the lake is calm and the water is warm. The lake was angry most of the week, but the calm came back to the lake on Thursday. It was further observed that the water wasn't going to get any warmer. The time to get the last of the stuff from the lake had arrived. In addition to being extra special refreshing, the lake was unusually clear. This greatly assists those tasked to retrieve any woefully dropped bolts or wrenches. Everything came out of the water with far fewer injuries and deaths than is normal. A pair of eagles were picking fish from the cold water all week. While walking down West Shore Drive, it's not uncommon to be startled by the whoosh of giant, hungry wings just overhead. Evenings arrived too early, sunsets were just after 4:30 PM, but they were well bedazzled with many a fantastic sunset. Many around the lake watched the sky spectacle from the side of a campfire. Warm. I had not planned on typing that word for 7 or 8 months, but here we are. Technically, 72°F occupies the gray area on the cold/warm comfort spectrum, but after more than a little snow and an 11°F morning, anything over 50°F is considered a win. The results of this late season fair weatherness is being felt by those ice-in candidates with an early date having their path to victory narrowed. Still, it could happen sooner rather than later. Don't put away those hats just yet.<br><br>-Nemo believes the lake will freeze over, just not today.

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