Page 6

Mother Nature has been benevolent and kind this past weekend.  Several days of 60 degree temps have done a number on the snow banks.  The lake ice is still solid and we still have 12” in the woods, but spring took a huge jump in the right direction.  Friday, the first really warm day, nearly everyone was experiencing that “finally winter is over” emotional high.  One cannot fully appreciate spring until they have had a real winter to give it meaning.  It is a little like canoeing on a large, expansive lake all day and then coming into a small, quiet, intimate lake to set up camp.  The strong contrast gives each experience more significance.  So for now, we are celebrating dry roads, each wave of new summer birds, and every time the frost “goes out” allowing yet another puddle to seep away.

Only 30 more days until we open.  These guys will be back soon.  Checkout the water drop on the bill of this loon.  Great shot Sarah Neighbors!

Long winter getting you down?   Consider this mother goose sitting on her nest.  This photo, taken yesterday (April 18) by my brother living in the cities, might help put things into perspective.  Yes, the never-ending winter is creating some inconvenience, but like this goose we will persevere!  Thanks Mark for this great photo.  By the way, the current snow depth in the woods is 18 inches on the level and still 2 to 3 feet of solid ice on most lakes.

Here’s your Boot Lake “spring” snow report.  As of Sunday April 7, it is still a foot deep in the yard above the beach and 17 inches on the level in the woods.  Last week an ice-fishing friend reported the ice at least two feet deep.  I am sure this will be a hard winter on the deer herd.  Today we had a couple young ones show up mid-afternoon at the bird feeders.  To come up next to the house during the middle of the day to search for a few scattered sunflower seeds, gives an indication how hungry they are.  The good news for the deer is the snow has melted enough that they are starting to move around a bit, so they have access to more food with less effort.  As you can see, we still have plenty of snow.

Yesterday was spent digging out from a major snowfall.  We had sleet and rain through the day (Monday) which turned to a heavy, wet snow by evening.  Not sure what the official accumulation was, but before this started the weber grills were free of snow.