The lake area got some rain last week. We got some more seasonal temperatures, too. No frost yet, but on a few mornings it was a close, cold thing.
On the colder mornings, the lake gave up its heat in massive clouds of steam.
The result, if you enjoy splashing around in the lake, was ugly. By mid-week the lake temperature fell to 65°F. By the weekend it was down to 62°F.
The shorter days and the cool seems to be bringing out more color in the trees. Green is still the predominant color but the hills are redding, goldening, and yellowing up fast.
You didn't have to tell us twice. There's still a few desperately cold water weeks left in this year's ski season, but the falling lake level coupled with the lack of any desire to actually get into the water meant it was time to pull the boat. Given the steady stream of trucks and trailers going to and coming burdened back from the landing showed we were not alone.
Sunsets have been noteworthy, especially just after the rain and before a really cold (no frost though!) night.
We got just under an inch of rain last week, but the lake level still looks down for the month. We'll get an official measurement next week, but it looks like this might be the beginning of the end of uncomfortably high water on Lucerne. It's just the start of uncomfortably cold water in Lake Lucerne and we seem to be close to the middle of peak tree color. Given the reality of the calendar, the wise northwoods aficionado will call for more hiking, tennis, and golf. More bar nights, campfires, and soup events have been discussed as well, but less, much less swimming.
Nemo isn't planning any late season Rafto either.