Classic Thaw

March 23rd through 29th, 2026

Lake Lucerne
This year, it's been a twisting path on the road to Ice-Out. Thaw has a traumatizing tendency to take a step back for every two steps toward an ice-free Lucerne. Last week was a classic template for this ambivalence.
Lake Lucerne
The nights during much of the week were cold enough to build ice. During the day, the sun would melt it and a little more, until the end of the week when the area suffered that one step back on the road to Ice-Out.
Lake Lucerne
At the start of the week the Maples ran.
Lake Lucerne
That would last until it got too cold.
Lake Lucerne
Around mid-week, thawing produced some impressive driveway puddles.
Lake Lucerne
The northwoods got a little more evil as the thaw seemed to have contributed to, or at least coincided with, increased squirrel activity.
Lake Lucerne
It got colder as the weekend approached. The clouds increased, the wind picked up, and the taps went dry.
Lake Lucerne
Then it snowed a little.
Lake Lucerne
The wind blew most of the new snow off the lake.
Lake Lucerne
After a few days, the taps started dripping again.
Lake Lucerne
After the woeful cold left the area, the men celebrated by building a log ride. It should be noted that no one actually rode the logs.
Lake Lucerne
The ride was eventually shut down. The logs will be repurposed into something else. Maybe some sort of a life altering/threating giant Jenga game that would include sledge hammers and a blatant disregard for life.
Lake Lucerne
The second last task of the week was to squish out onto the be-puddled lake and check the ice.
Lake Lucerne
There's about 18.5 inches of sort-of-good ice covering Lucerne.
Lake Lucerne
Sunday's warm up in the northwoods had a few things springing to life.
Lake Lucerne
The warm up successfully chipped much of the horror of Zombie Winter off local lawns. They don't need a mowing yet, but if this keeps up, they soon will.
Lake Lucerne
The big old ash tree in the northeastern corner of the lake that played with a gang of emerald ash borers a few years back has not been well since. An arborist was called in and treatment applied. There was also fire.
Lake Lucerne
By Sunday's sunset, there was more lawn, less dead ash, and thinner ice on Lucerne.
Lake Lucerne
Despite a bout of cold and snow, the area took many steps toward a greener, golfier, and ice-free era. March is ending on a warm note, but many of the men are still a little tetchy over the memories of the unpleasantness inflicted upon them at the end of last year's March. In just a few more days, the sun and warmth should clear enough of the detritus left by Zombie Winter to force the charging of mower batteries and the getting of tee times. Fingers crossed.


-Nemo: Amateur arborist, expert fire starter.