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Ramping Up Thaw

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March 2nd through 8th, 2026

Last week started off cold. Lucerne was covered with snow and ice as were many of the local roads, driveways, and decks. Winter, it would seem, was alive and well. A little too well for our liking. The first task of the week was to get the ice thickness check we neglected to get at the end of the previous week. The ice proved hard, thick, and resistant to holing. There were many short breaks to get the blood back into arms and hands. At the start of the week, there was 23 inches of ice cover on Lake Lucerne. The water was as cold and clear as ever. The ice that covered much of West Shore Drive (and many other roads) started to melt around midweek. Winter was observed coughing and complaining of chest pains. The strata of the fallen snow piles was telling. All the snow we've obtained to date was not the result of one or two horrific storms but rather many small to medium winter events. They may have been undersized, but they still added up to a lot of snow. The sledding at the top of the week was hard and lumpy. As the temperatures rose, the snow grew softer and the rides more smooth. As snow turned to slush, the annual spring "Trailering of the Sleds" left the northwoods a quieter, less two cyclely place. It rained late Friday into early Saturday. The forecast was for about a quarter of an inch. We got more. Local lawn puddles are starting to cross the line to lawn ponds. The heavy rain washed out much sand and stone from the roadsides and deposited it on the roads. The ice is gone on most roads, but Knott Lane still has a bit of packed slush in more shadowed parts. Winter is dead! Break out the cigars, motorcycles, and Ice-Out Contests! As this is being written, it's 50°F out there. It's going to be a task to round up the code monkeys and seat them in front of terminals. I'd give the management a few days to get that done. In the meantime, stablize that gas, charge the boat battery, and think about your ice-out date.<br><br><br>-Nemo's covering snowmobiles and calling for tee times.

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