Iced!

The week started off with some snow clearing and slightly below average temperatures. The colder temperatures and the maples gone wild combined to create all manner of event related fun.

The sugarbush lost its remaining good footing with all the snow. The snow wasn't deep enough to allow only footed ATVs, but it was a close thing.

The below normal cold, running maples, and wind made for some creative bearding of the taps.

As we were not able to keep up with the maples, buckets grew beards. Most were of the "Van Dyke" style, but others went full "Dumbledore".

The sap got all hard. Overfilling buckets did not include a spilling issue.

Much sap ice was taken out of the woods and carted to the melters/cookers.

By mid-week, the sap was liquid again and the maples were dripping. We collected over 1,000 gallons before the ice.

On Friday, the lake got some rain. There was a goodly amount of thunder and lightning, too.

On Saturday, just after sunset, the ice came. By morning we had a lot of ice and little of anything else (power, water, internet, heat, phone).

A thick layer of ice coated the deciduous.

Same for the smaller plant types.

The evergreens were drenched in ice.

The long needle ones are our favorites.

But all the iced had their charm.

The ice got thick enough to push many trees to the breaking point.

And beyond. Driving was best done slowly and with a chainsaw handy.

I can't be sure, but I feel the squirrels are somehow to blame.

The north end's turkey population seemed unfazed by all the ice.

This summary was put together at the Forest County Potawatomi Community Center. They have generators, internet, heat, and water. Ping pong tables, too. Thanks, guys! The popular theory is that we'll get power back to the bar around midnight tonight. Huzzah! I don't think the ice will go out on Lucerne today. I hope the ice won't go in on the bar's plumbing today.

-Nemo is lighting a candle and warming his hands over it.

Iced!

March 24th through 30th, 2025