We made it to the well lit northwoods around 5:00 PM on Friday. The sound of melting snow and ice were all around.
The first deck fire of the season made it feel like summer was closer than the chill in the night air would otherwise indicate.
On Saturday morning, after some successful electricial work, a hole was punched into the covering of the lake to check the quality and quantity of the ice.
There's 18.5 inches of good ice.
The lake golf season kicked off with golfers out numbering the spectators 2 to 1.
The largely reserved crowd was described as sparse.
On Saturday, test buckets showed signs of sappage. The tapping of the trees was ordered.
Most of the holes were made on Sunday morning.
My job was to hammer the spiles in place.
The sap ran all day.
We'll be back next week Thursday to collect and fire them tree squeezings, golf the lake, and get some last runs in at Brule on Friday. In the rain. The lake really needs the rain. Skiers on Friday at Brule, not so much. The lake could go out early this year. Before Easter early if the warming of the area continues.
