Spring Foolie

February 6th through 12th, 2023

Lake Lucerne
Then, suddenly, the highs were above freezing and the lows weren't that bad. Winter's third season, Thaw, is upon us. Here in the northwoods, many will agree that the sub-season that just ended, Deep Winter, will not be missed.
Lake Lucerne
Thaw lifts the mood of the residents, but has the opposite effect on the bottle rocket war forts. At the start of the week, the north fort's "Knobs of Color" were still colorful and sitting majestically atop the main battle wall.
Lake Lucerne
The main wall itself had sprung a bit of a list.
Lake Lucerne
The southern fort had a bendiness to it, but was otherwise intact.
Lake Lucerne
By Sunday, all that remained of the north fort was a section of windwall.
Lake Lucerne
The southern fort had a few walls collapse and an erosion of one of its red orbs.
Lake Lucerne
The warmer weather has made the turkeys near the bar even more active.
Lake Lucerne
The evil little blighters that infest the northwoods are also still active and can empty a bird feeder in minutes.
Lake Lucerne
On Thursday, there was a gathering at Waters Edge. The last bar/restaurant on Lucerne has changed hands and a party was held on Roger's last day.
Lake Lucerne
For almost two decades, Roger has been a great friend of the water ski show and an overall good guy. We wish him smooth air and clear skies as he flies off into retirement.
Lake Lucerne
Many of the above freezing evenings were filled with some good sunsets, too.
Lake Lucerne
The roads that get some sun are getting closer to ice free.
Lake Lucerne
Knott Lane does not get much sun.
Lake Lucerne
Below freezing nights have made the top of the lane an icy glacier.
Lake Lucerne
The last task of the week was to check the lake ice thickness.
Lake Lucerne
Huzzah!
Lake Lucerne
There's a foot of ice between us and the fish.
Lake Lucerne
The top 3 or 4 inches is the airy, frozen snow kind of ice. It could be an early ice-out.
Lake Lucerne
At the end of the week the temperature was pushing close to 50°F, the roads were getting clear, and the sound of running water was in the air. It felt, looked, and sounded like Spring. Enjoy it while it lasts, but DON'T BE FOOLED! We're still riding a white tiger. If you get complacent and fall off, you'll get frost bit. Still...this sudden warmup has us thinking that we only have a few more seasonal downs and ups left. Then tree tapping! Then ice-out!! Watch for the Twenty First Annual Lake Lucerne Ice-Out Contest coming in a week or two to a web site near you .


-Nemo will not be fooled, keeps his hat on.