Greetings and welcome!
I am not getting caught behind this week like I usually do in May. Right now the plan is to get a head start today and follow up with details later in the week.
Summer foliage came early this year. All of the hardwood trees and ground brush have leaves now. The grass has been cut once and needs it again. Some of the earliest flowers have come and gone. We are at the tail end of stuff like marsh marigolds, trillium, and cherry trees. The first wave of dandelions are now in their ghostly seed stages. The ferns are now over a foot high and starting to unroll leaves.
As far as bugs go, they are in full swing. The ticks are out in full force and an unprotected walk in high grass will yield dozens. Mosquitoes are present in my travels and they will vary widely from one here and there all of the way up to Deep Woods Off! commercial. I use Repel Sportsman’s 40. You will want some this weekend.
One that usually isn’t on my list of pests is mice. They had a good winter. If you haven’t opened up the cabin yet be ready to clean up after them too. I have a regular trap line that I run in the houses and campers. I rarely have a day without at least one victim.
Also noteworthy, we have a very thriving black bear population. Not a day goes by without pictures of them on Facebook. Treat your food and bird feeders accordingly.
The weather this week was a little crazy. The weather systems around us set up just right to pump warm moist air up into the region. Most days had at least some ominous clouds but we didn’t have quite as much rain as expected. There were occasional showers and storms, but they did not live up to their potential. Several days the air had enough moisture to give us 1-2″ of rain, but none came to fruition beyond a passing shower or storm. Nonetheless we did get some rain, reducing fire danger and dust.
Whitewater rafting should be good this weekend with the rain. The Peshtigo is running at about a +6″ this morning, a fun level for anyone.
This weekend’s weather forecast is again a little goofy. It does not feature any major weather systems but it is going to be cold at night. There are multiple chances for frost in the next week and Thursday night into Friday morning we could see snow mix in with our rain showers. Here is a copy n paste of the NWS forecast..
Wednesday Night-Areas of frost after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light north northeast after midnight.
Thursday-A 40 percent chance of showers after 8am. Areas of frost before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind 5 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night-A chance of rain showers before 4am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday-A chance of rain and snow showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night-Areas of frost after 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Saturday-Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 65.
Saturday Night-Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday-Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Sunday Night-A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Memorial Day-A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
I told you guys that we can get frost all of the way up to and beyond June 10th. Here we are.
I have not nailed down events for the weekend yet, but I do know of a few. Silver Cliff will be having a Memorial Day service followed by a VFW picnic. I believe that is Sunday.
Mountain is having a much bigger celebration with a parade and associated events.
In Crivitz the Museum (right behind McDonalds) is having a flea market.
As far as live music goes there is music at Rapids, Rustic Inn, Uncle Mikes (the old Tommy’s Corner Pub), Woody’s Bar, and Wheel Inn.
Again both of these lists will be improved upon once I nail down details.
Sunsets have been particularly nice this spring. Bring a camera.
Time to race off to work again. Have a good week and thank you for visiting!
RJB