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Winter Weekend II

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March 10th through 12th, 2005

We almost did not go up this weekend. We were going to stay home but then our bank posted really attractive rates on a gas loan. The clincher was no points! After approval, we filled up and arrived just before sunset on Thursday. As the sun set, the sky cleared and Jupiter rose over the east shore. I've seen comet Hale/Bopp. I've photograghed comet Hale/Bopp. Comet Machholz is no Hale/Bopp.The comet was about 9 degrees from the top of Polaris and magnitude 6. You can see it here just to the right of center as a greenish blob. A fast moving cold front came through Friday morning bringing a little snow and a lot of cold. In the early afternoon, after the temperatures rose to a balmy 23.4°F, we started to drill a hole to check the ice depth. The ice is 27 inches thick with the top 3 inches "floating" above the waterline. We normally need a yard stick to measure the ice in March but it still amazes me. Druids! Sometime during the last 3 weeks those Stonehenge building, tree worshiping types "planted" several trees in holes on the north end of the lake. While the plants will get plenty of water, the consensus was that they won't survive past spring. The clouds faded away later in the afternoon and the sun came out between snow squalls. Saturday started out very clear and extremely cold. The new webcam was set up..almost. It has better resolution than many of the pictures on this page, sound, zoom and can pan left, right, up and down. It worked on the local network at Knott lane but refused to ftp images to the internet. I will get it up before ice-out so we can all watch the return of summer. The cold did help me with my life long dream : I'd like a diet Coke with extra ice, hold the cup. The new webcam was set up..almost. It has better resolution than many of the pictures on this page, sound, zoom and can pan left, right, up and down. It worked on the local network at Knott lane but refused to ftp images to the internet. I will get it up before ice-out so we can all watch the return of summer. Sapping season starts this weekend and Mr EMT will be posting daily updates. If not, feel free to abuse him on the guestbook. Krispa abuse is, of course, always welcome. Leaving the lake is always hard emotionally but the condition of knott lane has made it physically harder. We'll be back in 2 weeks for Easter and to install the new webcam. In the meantime, <a href='/WeeklySummaryPages/2005/03122005/MOV00130.MPG' class ='defaultlink2' target='_blank'>here's 15 seconds of Winter</a> and <a href='/WeeklySummaryPages/2005/03122005/MOV00142.MPG' class ='defaultlink2' target='_blank'>some ice melting</a>.<br><br><br>-Nemo

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