We now have reports of ice thickness here at Joe's Pond. Those of you who have or will have Ice-Out tickets, will be interested that Diane Rossi saw Everett Drew yesterday and he told her the ice is about 24 inches thick. This morning there were two fishermen in front of Diane's (about where the block and flag will be) and they told her the ice there is about 14-16 inches thick there. 
     We know the ice thickness varies depending on where you are on the pond, so this is good information. It explains why sometimes the block goes down while a lot of the rest of the pond appears to be still frozen. However, it still holds true that we have open water very soon after the block sinks - so once melting starts, it's only a matter of two or three days before it's all gone. It also reinforces that when the block will sink is anybody's guess. 
     It's beautiful here today. Sunny and in the 30s and heading up. Last night was cold, so sap should run today. There will be some folks who won't be at town meeting because they are sugaring. It's a lot nicer today than some town meeting days when folks couldn't get out because of too much snow or their cars wouldn't start in the below-zero temperatures. Those were the good old days!(?)