Summer Autumnaling Down

September 7th through 13th, 2026

Lake Lucerne
Last week saw temperatures in or near the 80s°F during much of the week, tumble down to the 60s°F, albeit the upper 60s°F, on Sunday. To anyone who has experienced the northwoods between Labor Day and Peak Color, this comes as no surprise. Certainly not a pleasant surprise. If history is any guide, what many of the men call the "Tyranny of September" will ultimately include lower highs, frosts, and hats. No frosts yet.
Lake Lucerne
At the start of the week, there was also some overnight rain that drizzled onto Tuesday.
Lake Lucerne
Sunsets were varied. Some were quite colorful.
Lake Lucerne
Others were colorful in a different way and augmented by contrails from jets full of wise people fleeing to warmer climes.
Lake Lucerne
Around mid-week, we had doings just south of Lucerne that were close enough to provoke a side trip to the "Bluff of Many Steps".
Lake Lucerne
The stairs look like a long and rambling piece of art from the beach. It was noted that going down does not increase the heart rate or the leg numbness that going up 'em does.
Lake Lucerne
The temperature and sun was great for golf during much of the week.
Lake Lucerne
The NCC course is in really good shape.
Lake Lucerne
The water hazards are just under full and the cattails are getting all 'splodey.
Lake Lucerne
As we watched one of them scamper around, the course's chipmunks appeared greener and shellier than I remember.
Lake Lucerne
Peak color is still a few weeks off, but peak pod occurred on the weekend.
Lake Lucerne
Most trees are a few weeks from peak. A select few are just days away.
Lake Lucerne
It's getting hard to keep the suet feeder plenished when the Pileated comes hungry.
Lake Lucerne
It's that time of year when lifts, boats, and piers are pulled from the increasingly cool water. Some people pulled it all out in a day. Others got distracted or bored and wandered off halfway through.
Lake Lucerne
As the lake steams away its heat on down right cold mornings, we've entered that part of the season where swimming, skiing, and Rafto are played not so much for the joy of it, but for spite. The desire to frustrate or humiliate Fall's arrival usually lasts up until the water temperature drops below 62°F. It's at that lake temperature that the taunting of Fall gives way to a formal politeness, courtesy, and respectful conduct towards the new season. There's also a realization in the back of most minds that as bad as autumn may be, winter is way worse.


-Nemo's got lifts and buoys to pull.