What's up Dock?

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. It was a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly up here.

But on Saturday, when we could, we snuck out for a walk and look what we saw at the portage.

Yep - someone's dock was right up against the culvert. It amazes me that it got in around the rocks at the entrance, but somehow it did.

No idea whose it is - note to self to put name on new dock when it arrives.  I'm sure its owner will figure it out when they get here - if they haven't already. I didn't go yesterday to see if it was still there.

On the way back from the walk, I took this picture - proof that there is spring in the air here. Crocuses blooming in a garden - yippee.

And there was one other little thing that was a sure sign that either summer is just around the corner - or they are completely crazy.  THREE ADVENTUROUS SOULS WENT INTO THE WATER ON SATURDAY!!! I would name names, but they know who they are and I don't want anyone to judge them as complete IDIOTS. Mind you, their hot-tubbing immediately thereafter surely took away the sting of the cold. 

So those of you who think you are brave on May 2-4 weekend - you will be a month behind this year.

What a difference 10 hours can make.

It's just past 6 and I am about to shut down my technology for the day. But I had to share this view out the window.

The sun did come out and melt all that snow. You might even think this was a real spring day - and I guess it is. A chilly one at only 5 degrees, but a big improvement over this morning.

Hope it stays for a while.

Happy Easter everyone.

The ice is gone. Now about the snow.....

Except for a small line near the shore that gets the afternoon sun, the ice is gone. We actually saw the loon swimming in the bay yesterday.

But man, this snow is enough to make us all jump in the lake. It just keeps circling back. Here are our stairs this morning. Yuck!!!

I'm sure a little sunshine will get rid of this - if only we would get some....

Another Ice Update

Man, the weather here has been freaky for the past few days - snow, then rain, then snow.

But despite the antics of Mother Nature, the ice continues to leave. Little Ducky is now too far away from the melt line to mean anything, so here is a picture taken this morning to show that our bay is mostly clear, except around the shoreline that gets the least sun (of which there is not much these days).

There is still a large ice area in the other direction - towards the portage - but I imagine that if we get any sunlight this weekend (hope hope hope), it should be gone before Easter Weekend.

Someone reminded me that this time last year, they were eating outside on their deck. Grrrrrrr.

Little Ducky in the Rain

It was a windy wet day on Saturday, but I took a couple of pictures to show progress of the ice melts.
The duck is floating in open water, as you can see here.

that's him, right at the bottom.

This one shows waves on the open section of the water beside the dock. The smoother part is the rain on the remaining ice.

This one was taken this morning and there are lots of open sections near shore and near the channel.

But here is another  one I took this morning - yikes!!!!!

This time last year the boat was in the water!!!!

What else is there to say.

First Loon Call This Morning

Yep - that's what we heard.

We're not exactly sure where he can be landing just yet, although there are a few open places on the lake. Trevor's point at the narrows is completely open and there is about a 6' opening near the shoreline in our bay.

Here are a couple of pictures to share. As you can see, the duck is now just a few feet from open water.

There is the little fellow - above water in his only little pool - staring at the open water.

Looking towards the lake and to the left, you can see floating docks.

There is nothing like the loon call to make you believe that cottage season is here. I am optimistic that a few more warm days - and the rain predicted for the weekend - will mean that the ice is out by Easter weekend.

April Showers Give and Take

There was rain on the weekend - not as much as in Toronto - but enough to wash away lots of the dirty snow.

And I think it took some of the ice with it too. Here's the "duck-o-meter" and a couple of pictures of the lake.

He is nearly out of the ice now.

Taken from the portage - lots of open water now.

A few dark spots in the ice that look ready to open up.

And as we walked today, I looked for anything budding. Found some.

So a few more balmy days and we'll be well under way.

Duck Duck Melt

The snow didn't amount to much - in fact it was gone by noon.

Today is sunny and warm. I noticed that my little duck is now even further out of the ice, so he can become the barometer to share progress. Here he is today.

And here are two pictures of the shoreline - with visible water!

Unfortunately, our dock was a casualty of the ice this year. But, it's either 17 or 18 years old, so I guess we can't complain too loudly.

Sunday's forecast is for 20 here!!!

Oh Oh

Not what we were expecting to wake up to this morning.

It feels like a giant step backwards to be sure. But the forecast high is for 6 degrees today, so I don't think it will last long.

Look What Just Popped Up

Too bad I didn't notice this before I did the last post, but who says I can't do 2?

I looked out my studio window and saw this - the decoy that marks our water line - with his head peeking out of the ice.

Now that is a sign that things are melting down there. Yippee!!

Last year the boat was in by April 21st - doubt we'll make that, but we are making progress.

Slow and Steady Comes The Spring

After a glorious, sunny week, last night it rained non-stop and it's grey and dull this morning. I take solace in the fact that the rain will also help get rid of the last of the snow and the ice on the lake.

Friday, we went to visit friends on Georgian Bay and were jealous of the big patches of open water there. We still have none - at least that we can see.

But my walk on Sunday morning produced a few images that are cautiously optimistic.

Along the straight stretch past the transfer station, the snow is nearly completely gone on the Otter Lake side of the road. On the Salmon Lake side, there is still quite a bank of snow - I guess the morning sun is stronger than the afternoon. But the creek that runs along the side of the road was actually moving.

They grated the (sp?) road last week, which really helped with the potholes. And I think with the forecast, it was just in the nick of time.

Saturday was so mild, we picked up a bunch of fallen sticks from the property, examined the damage to the old dock, and I undressed the urns at the front door.

Ok, so maybe I am pushing the season a bit, but I hate the sight of an empty urn, so this was my compromise. Hopefully, in a week, the flowers won't look out of place with that patch of snow behind.
The real daffodils are budding and we have heard and seen a couple of robins.

And after all, Easter is in a couple of weeks, so we need to welcome it with something springlike.