Lake Update

 Beautiful spring weather - finally! We couldn't ask for nicer weather. The sun is shining, the temperature is 69 degrees in the shade, and there's just a gentle breeze - no howling wind with snowflakes flying! The pond is completely open and sparkling blue, ready for summer fun.

There is more news on the wake boat situation. The rule change request that, if passed, will make wake boats illegal on Joe's Pond and several other small lakes in Vermont has passed from the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR). The committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 14, and hopefully the new rules will be on the agenda - and be passed. You can read more about it HERE.

We are hearing and seeing more wildlife as things respond to the changing season and warmer weather. The bears are certainly out and about and hungry! There are other prowlers in the night - skunks, foxes, raccoons, and who knows what else. Last week I heard wood frogs in my pond a couple of nights, but I listened Saturday night and last night when the temperature was back in the 40s and all was quiet. When I walked around the pond yesterday, I didn't see a single toad, frog, or polliwog. I know they are there and I'm sure as our weather continues to warm up, the chorus will resume - with a variety of species tuning up. We hear geese and ducks regularly, and the loons and eagle are here. There hasn't been much boating activity on the pond, but that will change soon.

If you are headed north shortly, we'll be happy to see you. It's always exciting to welcome friends back after a long, cold winter. Although later this week we are expecting rain and cooler temperatures, the possibility of snow flurries is almost past. If we get a sifting of snow again, it won't amount to much. We have had snow flurries well into May in past years, so anything is possible, but I don't believe you will need to shovel your way into your summer home! Travel safely - we look forward to seeing you soon.

Lucky Winners!

We had two lucky winners in the Ice-Out Contest this year: Timothy Hutchinson of Springfield, Vermont, guessed 6:20 A.M., and J. R. Howard, North Hero, Vermont guessed 6:22 A.M. The clock stopped at 6:21 A.M. on April 16th.

The total amount of their winnings has not been disclosed, but the total of tickets sold, less expenses, will be split 50% to Joe's Pond Association, and 50% to the winners.  Even splitting the winners' 50% will mean they get a nice cut. We may have more information about the winners later.

Diane says the marker for the block is a white vinegar bottle and there is 100 ft. of rope attached, so if anyone is out in their boat early - some folks just can't wait and like to be first out after the ice is gone - be aware and stay away from it so your prop doesn't get tangled in the rope. She said it looks like it's further from shore than usual - but it is really hard to tell. Everything looks different once the ice is gone and there's only blue water. The ice was gone as of yesterday - pretty much on cue, two or three days after the block went down.  

Today we are getting rain and it is only about 40 degrees, so nobody will be surprised to see snowflakes among the raindrops. We might get an inch or two of snow according to the forecast. Pretty normal April weather, but we are all happy to have most of the snow gone and tinges of green on lawns, and we know this new snow will melt quickly - if it builds up at all. The trees are budding and flowers sprouting here and there. I noticed those little yellow flowers along the roadside yesterday - they look like miniature dandelions, and are always the first to arrive. They seem to thrive in roadside gravel.

The road to Cabot wasn't bad when I went yesterday morning. There are a few spots where it's wise to go slow and pick your way carefully to ride the ridges, but most was fine. One of the worst spots was by the brook past Wright's going towards the intersection of Brickett's Crossing Road on W. Shore Road. There is a muddy spot right by the culvert, and  one fairly deep hole to avoid on the right going west. Most of the previously bad spots are fairly well dried out, but there were a couple of still slimy sections where the sun hasn't hit and there's still frost in the ground. Burtt's sugarhouse was steaming yesterday, so they must have some sap still in their holding tanks to run through.

It's a good day to stay indoors. I was just out on my deck to measure rainfall (.23 in.) and that wind is fierce. Yesterday there was a report of a tornado touching down in Williamstown  this past week. The first ever recorded in Vermont in April. There have been others, but always in July. We have had high winds here this spring, and Thursday night some thunder. The weather has changed considerably over the years. I was surprised that weather has only been officially recorded for about 75 years. I would have thought someone would have been keeping track long before that - the weather is just about the most important factor in many farmers' lives, and everyone has something to say about it - it's almost always the main subject when people meet.

Stay warm and dry. 

 

More News

 We can tell you that it appears there are two winning tickets in this year's Ice-Out Contest. One guessed  6:20 A.M.  and another guessed 6:22 A.M. That puts them one minute off on either side of the time the clock stopped, 6:21 A.M. Neither winner is local, but both are Vermonters, one in Springfield, Vermont and the other in North Hero. As soon as the winners have been contacted and the tickets verified, we will announce names.Stay tuned.

There was a reporter from the Boston Globe here this past week doing interviews for a story on our Ice-Out Contest. He did a really nice job and sent us a link. If I understand correctly, there may be a video later - probably on their website with a digital copy. If we get more, I'll post it here. In the meantime, here is the link to the article - sorry, they don't let you read it for free. 

In other Joe's Pond news, Gretchen Farnsworth said she spotted a pair of loons today. That is good news - it is likely the pair that traditionally nests in the upper region near where Gretchen and Jim live. Unfortunately, the eagle frequents that area, too. We hope for the best for the loons to raise at least one chick. 

I've had no report about any other loons - in the recent past there have been nesting pairs in the smaller bodies of water that make up our pond. We will see if more return. In the meantime, Gretchen said she can't see any snow or ice from her place at the end of Sandy Beach Road, and Diane told me this morning that there is a lot more water showing in the big pond, too. With another warm and possibly rainy night, the ice will no doubt be gone soon. Not to be too joyful - the forecast has our region possibly getting some snow when the temperatures dip early next week. But today and yesterday have been lovely. I had the house opened up and it was actually too warm in the sun outside. (Some people are never happy with the weather!) It takes a little time for our bodies to get conditioned for hot weather after being cold for so long!

The frogs in my pond were loud and happy last night. It is so nice to hear them. They are jubilant because the pond is full again after being very low much of last summer and not quite filled even as it froze over last fall. Now it is at full capacity and there's a fine stream running in - and out. I hope it will stay full this summer. I haven't seen much wildlife around it, but I'm sure there is some activity when I'm not watching. I did see a couple of crows there early this morning. They often bathe in the shallows, but this morning they just seemed to be getting a hearty breakfast of bugs or maybe green sprouts of clover. 

There are no corn sprouts anywhere for them to gobble up yet, but we know corn is a favorite. When I was growing up on the farm, my young uncles used to try to shoot the crows that were pulling up the corn seedlings in the spring. Crows are notoriously hard to hit. They are wily and my dad used to describe them as "all feathers." I don't think anyone ever successfully hit one, but the noise would frighten them, at least for a while. The corn we planted was treated with a repellent - it smelled awful and was black like tar. Using that gave the corn a chance to  sprout but didn't protect the young, green seedlings.

Enjoy our nice weather - the roads still are pretty dicey, but mostly pot holes and washboard, no really deep mud that I know about, at least on our end. I have to go to Cabot tomorrow morning - I may find that road is not as good. I know Brickett's Crossing has not been good, particularly the Walden end. If it's too bad going down in the morning, I will come home by way of Route 15.  

THE CLOCK HAS STOPPED!

 THE CLOCK STOPPED THIS MORNING AT 6:21, SO THE OFFICIAL DATE AND TIME IS

APRIL 16, AT 6:21 A.M.  

 

It may take some time before we know the winner or winners - finding them on our list isn't what takes time - it's the verification process that takes time. The committee has to find the winner(s) and verify that the ticket information we have is valid - it's a process. We will have more information for you within a few days. In the meantime, check your ticket stubs - if you have this date and time, you will be getting a phone call or email message soon! 

The pond still has plenty of ice remaining. That is not unusual. The pond is usually free of ice within a few days after the block goes down and the clock stops. With warm weather this week, it could be gone by the weekend. Then our summer season begins and our friends begin to drift back to the pond for good times and happy days. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and to our usual Joe's Pond Association gatherings. 

NEW PHOTO!

THINGS ARE CHANGING QUICKLY - HERE IS A PHOTO DIANE SENT TO ME A FEW MINUTES AGO - LOOKS LIKE TODAY MAY BE THE DAY! STAY TUNED!!!

If you are wondering how this can happen, the rope that connects to the clock is being held by the ice so the block hasn't been able to fully sink yet. Now it all depends on how solidly that rope is frozen into the ice and slush. The temperature is about 52 degrees at my house, but it is probably different on the ice - that said, it is definitely above freezing and no freezing temperatures in the forecast for at least the rest of the week, bit we expect it could let go and stop the clock any moment. Good luck to those of you who have picked today - this could be your lucky day!
 

Progress!

I had a message from Diane a few moments ago saying the two smaller ponds are free of ice this morning. Earlier she had sent a picture of the block still sitting squarely erect  - that was about 8:30 this morning. Her message a few minutes ago was that the block is now beginning to tip! That is encouraging news - the ice underneath is softening and the block could go down soon. 

Our weather today remains warm, but we had almost an inch of rain last night, and that polished off almost all of the snow piles around my house, and the last remaining bit of ice on my backyard pond. We aren't expecting more rain until late this afternoon, but then a rainy evening and possibly most of the night again. I have to think the end of the contest is near!

Here's a fun note - so far there has been a lot of interesting dates and times logged in. Our ticket input specialist, Theresa, reports she's logged in 20 entries for 4/20 at 4:20 a.m., and 45 entries for 4:20 at 4:20 p.m.! For those of you who, like myself, had no clue of the significance of 4:20, here is what I found on line:  

 4/20 (April 20) is an internationally recognized counterculture holiday celebrating cannabis consumption and advocating for its legalization. Originating from a 1970s California high school slang term for meeting to smoke, it has evolved into a day of global festivals, social gatherings, and political activism for drug policy reform. 

I doubt that the clock will remain running until 4/20, but if it did, it would be a first to have to split the winnings among 20 or 45 winners. We have had multiple winners several times - two or more, up to I think the most I remember was five. 

Diane sent a photo of the tilting block, but as often happens, getting it from my phone to my computer where I can access it to use here is sometimes a day-long process, so I decided to just let everyone know the conditions without the photo. Just know that the block is beginning to tilt - and that's a good sign something is going to happen soon!  

Still Waiting

 The block is still sitting proudly on the ice, not showing signs of sinking just yet. We have had warm temperatures today in the 50s and periods of rain. Most of our snow is gone and the ice is getting darker, so things are changing. It's very hard to tell the condition of the ice, but it looks pretty soft, and there is no indication we will see freezing temperatures to slow things down again. We are in a holding pattern of 50s and rain for the remainder of this week. Diane just sent me a photo of the block - like she said, she feels like she's sending the same one each time. It certainly looks very secure out there! Diane said as of this afternoon there is still ice on both of the smaller ponds. Probably the ice will just turn to slush very gradually and the block will sink without fanfare as opposed to some years when it travels on ice blocks several feet up or down the pond, depending on the wind.

I think I'm noticing a tinge of green in some spots on my lawn. The buds on my lilac bushes are swelling and I have clumps of daffodils up a few inches here and there. It's happening! The rain this week will make a big difference. Stay tuned!