Seasonably Pleasant

January 9th through 15th, 2023

Lake Lucerne
For mid-January, last week was not bad. During this time of year, we are usually in the midst of the second sub-season of the cold time: Deep Winter. This year, that pit of cold is turning out to be a dent of chillness only a few inches deep. So far. A lack of sub-zero (°F) weather in the first half of January is not a good foundation to pin hopes on an early thaw. Ugly cold may be lurking just behind the next weekend waiting to be the area's mystery date.
Lake Lucerne
The less cold highs combined with below freezing lows put a nice, thick ice coating on many roads.
Lake Lucerne
The ice on the trees started the week thick and glow-y.
Lake Lucerne
The tree ice ended the week a little thinner, but still there.
Lake Lucerne
Many cabins around the lake started off the week with an impressive collection of icicles.
Lake Lucerne
The warmer days took the pointy ice from the bar and replaced it with a growing snow curl.
Lake Lucerne
Squirrels around the north end of the lake remain fat and frisky.
Lake Lucerne
The wild turkeys around the north end remain clucky and active.
Lake Lucerne
We've started to toss a fist full of seed or two onto the snow to keep them from squirreling and clucking up the bar's deck.
Lake Lucerne
That may have turned out to be a mistake in that it attracted an entire gang of deplorables.
Lake Lucerne
A new and more raucous bird feeder bouncer was hired to try to protect the bar's feeder from the gang.
Lake Lucerne
That didn't work out so well. Squirrel du Soleil performances are now more popular than ever.
Lake Lucerne
It was warmer than normal, but much of last week was shrouded in clouds and even fog. Late in the week the sun finally began to poke through and we headed to the south end of the lake to make some tiny holes in the sky.
Lake Lucerne
Of special note; in addition to the ice in the trees, was the well worn path across the lake to Waters Edge.
Lake Lucerne
The last task of the week was to check Lucerne's ice.
Lake Lucerne
There's currently less than an inch of snow covering the lake ice.
Lake Lucerne
Huzzah!
Lake Lucerne
The lake has 8.25 inches of very good ice. That's a quarter of an inch thicker than last week.
Lake Lucerne
The 32nd Annual Lake Lucerne Bottle Rocket War is scheduled for next week. We need more snow or we'll be harvesting lake ice to make forts as was done by one faction back in '07. In addition to snow, a little more cold would be nice to prevent another collapse-just-before-battle event like the one during the 25th Annual War.. Whether the forts are made of sintered snow or mined ice, the event starts on Saturday just after 6:30 PM and has been moved to the northeastern corner of the lake. If you are not planning to be lighting rockets behind frozen water, viewing from the bar's deck or booth 1 should be the best ever! The after party at the bar is open to both combatants and well wishers alike.


-Nemo will be picking up sticks on Sunday morning.