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The Last Full Weak of Summer

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September 11th through 17th, 2023

The final full week of summer was far more fall like than we would have hoped for. A few daily highs struggled to get into the low 50s°F and don't get us started on the 34°F morning low on the 14th. No frost yet, but it was a close thing. A majority of the trees are not showing any sign of fall. A very few are starting. Then there are the ones like this guy. They make up less then 1% of the forest, but they are at 100% color. It should be reiterated that most of the trees are still very green. The lack of frost has made for some happy plants. The milkweed pods on the north end of Lucerne are particularly cheery/prolific. The Bar's lime crop could use a few more frost free nights. They're still sort of small. Can't see 'em? They're right there. The lake was calm and flat for much of the week, yet the water was untouched by both swimmers and skiers alike. The lateness of the season may be one reason for the ski-less-ness. The falling water temperature may also be playing a role in the un-swimming. There are still a few fishermen casting their bills below the water. Sometimes they travel in packs as they move to their favorite fishing spot. The river otters on the north end of the lake like to fish alone. The sugarmen of Knott Lane completed the gathering and splitting of wood for the 2024 syrup season last week. We helped by occasionally stacking, opening the sap shack cap, and taking this picture. Some sunsets were fantastic. Others showed great promise only to have all the clouds disappear just before the sun went down. A cloud free, blue sky makes for a very boring sunset. And usually a very cold following morning. With very cold, late summer mornings comes a steaming lake. The lake lost a few degrees (°F) by the morning of the 14th. As the days passed, the trees showed more color, Many held onto their green. As we entered the weekend, I'd say that the color is still less than 5%. We didn't spot many eagles last week, but there was a flock of turkey vultures circling over the tennis courts in Crandon (nets are still up!) and the north end of Lake Lucerne. The squirrels have not been raiding the bar's bird feeder lately. This could be due to the <a href='/WeeklySummaryPages/2021/0725/SBallN.html' class ='defaultlink2' target='_blank'>unpopularity of Squirrel Ball</a> among the furry class or a few recent Potawatomi Trail squirrel squashing events. Last week, chipmunks took over raiding duties. Somehow they managed to squeeze their seed fattened faces through the feeder's anti-squirrel defences, but it was a close thing. On the weekend, we hired a jay to bounce the chippies from the feeder. Tragically, we found the bird dead a short while later. We are currently seeking warrants for a few "fat faced chippies of interest" based upon sworn complaints, affidavits, and testimony. The deer, fawns in particular, continue to try to block shots on the NCC course. We didn't get much rain last week. The NCC water hazards and Lake Lucerne are noticeably lower. By Sunday, there was more color in the trees (5%?). It looks like peak color should grace the northwoods in a week or two. The lake temperature on Sunday was 64°F, cold but swimmable for those that are desperate for one last swim. That would not include us. Maybe next week. If the bar's lime tree fruits don't get any bigger, we are going to have to pioneer the concept of appetizer drinks (it's what you drink before you drink to make you more thirsty!) to properly scale the bar's lime size.<br><br><br>-Nemo's looking for a few teeny, tiny martini glases.

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