Greetings and welcome!
I have been a busy boy and I am behind on everything including my blogging. We have a lot to talk about.
First up- Winter…
Ten days ago we had 11+ inches of snow, and in some places a lot more. Now we have had some warmer days, and most of that snow is gone. The exception is the areas to the north of buildings or thick stands of trees. We have had some 60+ days, and this week a couple of 70+ days. That has knocked down the sheltered area’s snow a little, but there are places where a foot or two remains.
Frost Out-
We had a lot of cold in the beginning of winter before it snowed. There is a decent frost in the ground. When the frost comes out of the ground the ground gets very soft and muddy. We have varying degrees of that happening right now. Most sunny spots are firm. The sheltered areas that still hold snow have not undergone the process yet or are in the various stages of it. Most of my ¼ mile long driveway is firm, but there are a couple of deep spots where it is shady. Rain and warm weather will speed the process. In the meantime I am wary of forest roads & gravel roads.
Lake Ice-
Forget it. The lakes are still frozen over. When I was in Townsend and Lakewood earlier this week both Waubee Lake and Townsend Flowage (at least the part that you can see from the road) was still solid with ice. I went across the X bridge on High Falls Flowage today and it was only open to the first island. Popp’s channel is still iced in. A visit to Caldron Falls Flowage Boat Landing #8 by the dam found the same conditions- ice.
Critters-
Critter sightings are way up this week. Two days ago I saw a Momma bear and two cubs in a field. Today I saw 4 different bald eagles. There were two dead skunks in the road in my 70 mile trip to Wausaukee, Crivitz, and the long way back to Silver Cliff, so they are coming out of hybernation. The deer are out by the roads looking for the first green chutes or maybe licking the road salt. They aren’t in any hurry to move so watch for them.
Bugs-
I have seen a few bugs so far, but no ticks or gators (mosquitoes..). I saw my first butterfly, some sort of river fly, and a couple of the regular kind. So far it has been one or two of each.
Whitewater Rafting and Paddling-
PeshFest was a blast. A lot of people came out for the raft and kayak racing and events, the pig roast, and the music. I met some really nice people and it seemed like everyone was having fun.
Today the river is up to about +24”. Take a sick day and go rafting or come this weekend. The weather is finally nice and the river is running at prime levels.
ATV Trails-
Right now we are still melting snow and getting the frost out of the ground. It could all firm up in a week, but I would be very surprised. My guess is that trails will open a week late (5/12). Only the counties and clubs know for sure when they will open, and that is weather dependent.
The greening of the land-
We should be seeing the first green sprouts any day now. So far I have seen nothing green even along the roads. I expect that to change in a couple of days. The closest that I have is that the red flower buds on the maple trees have cracked open, and it looked like a popple out front was getting first buds.
Spring peeper frogs-
My pond is open but surprisingly quiet. I have not heard the frogs at all yet. Like the first green sprouts, I am expecting them any day now.
Weather-
It looks like we have a cold front and some snow and rain coming for Thursday night and into Friday. Friday looks pretty wet. Thankfully Saturday and Sunday look much nicer. The NWS says that Friday will be in the low 40s Saturday will be in the low 50s, and Sunday in the low 60s.
That is what I know today. Have a good week and thank you for visiting!
RJB