Day by day we are slowly reeling in the 2023 season. A few days ago it was a limited plate of perfect ice with winds 2-3mph. Today it was miles of ice with winds 20-30. There were just enough holes to mandate sit-up sailing. The water was wrinkled with waves, so easy to see. After scouting an exit from Goulds Landing and marking a hole we found the ice behind Dollar Island to be nearly trouble free all the way down through the marshes to the extreme south end. Some of the nicest ice was down there, the 3” left from the erosion of the 4”. This really is one of our most interesting and beautiful lakes.

Good day for storm sails. Milo had left his home, so Dave graciously offer him his, and he set the big sail. Well, as no good deed goes unpunished, Dave promptly lost control and spun out right next to, and into, the wet stuff.

No harm done to man or boat, but a good lesson in coming equipped for the day. Know the forecast, know your gear, and if sailing a DN when there are hazards present, sail sitting up. Some might say that sailing near any open water is a bad idea. Fair enough, but that would easily cut our sailing days in half. And this season, where finding sailable ice is more challenging than ever, that’s just not an option. Remember Tunk? When the entire middle of the lake was open and we could sail right around the perimeter? Great fun.

Thanks, as always, to Bob Lombardo for scouting and giving us the heads up.