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The Week Ending With Footstock

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August 14th through 20th, 2023

Last week ended with the annual Crandon display of footmanship, but before a foot was joined to water, the weather turned schizophrenic. The high temperatures during three days last week did not make it to 70°F. The other days, including the weekend, saw highs soar well past 80°F. The lake temperature has suffered, and by extension anyone swimming in Lucerne. On Sunday, we had a reading of 71°F. I personally have not experienced this level of refreshment since May. We also got some rain. A few tenths of an inch early in the week, and almost a half an inch later on. We need more. We also got some wind from the south. Swimming with the white caps on the north end of the lake was intense enough to forget about the freezing water. The milkweed pod crop along Potawatomi Trail continues to impress. The chipmunk planted corn at the bar has sprouted some garnish sized ears. And then there was golf. To compensate for a distinct lack of skill, a good golf glove can help lower your score, or so I'm told by people that sell golf gloves. Most pick a glove for the feel or fit. Others pick theirs for the color. And it's just a cherry on top if it makes you look like one of the X-Men (<a href='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/Wolverine_%28James_%27Logan%27_Howlett%29.png' class ='defaultlink2' target='_blank'>Wolverine</a>) when you make a fist. The NCC golf course was in great shape last week. We've had some glow-in-the-dark golf balls for a few years. On the weekend after dark, we used them. After the sun sets, parking is not an issue. You charge the balls by exposing them to a special blue/UV light. The glow lasts for about 7 minutes. They hit surprisingly well. The second best part was the green parabolic arc traced in the air after a shot. The best part was Mrs Nemo laying 3 a foot from the cup on One. It could be that sunlight is a crutch for chump golfers (or people that want to see the high degree of blue-ity of their gloves). Before the big event on the weekend, banners were hung. Posters were printed. Docks were put in (Thanks Ryan and company!). And the figure eight course was laid out and de-weeded. There were 4 strong, functioning boats at the start of the event. There were 4 strong, functioning boats by the end of the event. A Footstock without weird and un-wonderful boat problems is some sort of record. Un-light winds roughed up the course. Runs were of a shorter nature. The wind was from the southwest on Saturday. This made the top of the eight lumpy. Making it past the middle and into Chetek Corner was common. Making it out of Chetek Corner was rare. The wind shifted to the northeast on Sunday. This made the step-off area ugly and runs even shorter. More than any other competition, endurance barefooting has a spirit of genuine camaraderie that reflects the respect between the athletes and love of the sport. I was so happy to get the shot (this one) when Marc Donahue outlasted Jon DeBelak, last year's winner, at the end of the final run to take first place in the open. There was also the last ski show of the year at Waters Edge. The weather was warm and windy, the show was good. It was one of the best Footstocks ever! The weather was amazing, the boats strong, and the competition fierce. Now that it's over (along with the weekly ski show), we can catch our breath and exploit all the rest of the Summer to Labor day and beyond. In the near term there should be plenty of swimming, diving, skiing, tennis, golf, and adventure as long as the energy drinks and ibuprofen hold out. In addition to all that stuff, there's what looks like a record turn out for this year's Knott Lane Open scheduled for Sunday September 3rd (just 13 days away as this is written!). I'll be posting more on the golf outing and after party soon on the front page.<br><br><br>-Nemo's still looking for <a title='Maybe a bit esoteric or even nerdrotic for a final comment. Adamantium is the metal X-Man Wolverine uses. It is a referance to my golf glove. Mrs Nemo thought the reference obscure. It made me chuckle, so I went with it.' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adamantium' class ='defaultlink2' target='_blank'>adamantium</a> tees

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