TCC for 4/9/08

The Caretaker's Concern 4/9/08
Lake Temp. 38 F.
Ghetto temp. 55 F. and dropping.
Island tmp. 39.5 F. Yesterday's L/H: 36/53 F.
Current conditions: Mostly clear, a few clouds. Wind from the South, 5 to 10 mph.

Ice-out is over.

The ice went out today, there is nothing but open water now, well, perhaps there is some ice hidden somewhere in some of the bays but overall, ice-out is over. This makes the Caretaker both happy and sad.

Sad because it marks the end of Winter here on the Island, no more chances to go skating, nor snowshoeing, nor cross-country skiing, no more chances to do any Winter activity from the Island. It also marks an end to the sounds of the ice. No more the general quiet, soon there will be motor boats a plenty. And then there are the hordes, they too will be coming soon.

Happy because it means that it will be getting noticeably warmer and thus everything is that much easier to do. Once the Lake warms up there will be swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and if the Caretaker gets his act together he'll bring the sailboat up for the summer, wouldn't that be grand? All sorts of wonderful Summer activities, hiking, camping, tourist trapping, you name it, all sorts of fun to be had. With the warmer weather means a return to showering outside, and eventually running water again, ahhh running water. The open water also brings the sounds of the waves, generally a constant but always varying, and always reminding us of the Lake's presence, not that it is easily forgotten, but when the ice is up the general silence of the Lake allows one to forget about it from time to time. The Summer also means that there will be more people here on the Island and the Lake in general, the Caretaker enjoys the solitude of Winter but he is not a full blown troglodyte. He likes to see people enjoy themselves here on the Lake. And then there is the coming of the Green: soon the buds, then young leaves, which will grow broad as the Season continues to warm, coloring the landscape. The dark, stark browns amongst the pine needle greens of Winter have a beauty of their own, but to never change would eventually ugly the scenery.

The Caretaker looks forward to this change of Season: Spring will soon be afoot all around, amongst the sky and trees, in warmer winds and greening leaves, bird songs will sound, life rises forth from the ground. Sun's love warms once more, joy of a smile brought forth by this vibrant forest floor.

--The Caretaker