On a hunch from an earlier skater’s report, Bob Lombardo headed to The Birches today to check it out. He headed north along the shore all the way to the top and found between 2.5 and 4” of black ice.

The lake is pretty much entirely frozen, with some older ice now under snow. But don’t think you’ve missed any sailing: it was skater’s heaven without a bit of wind. What is it with this windless winter?

Looking south at Kineo from the north end with nothing but ice from here to there.

And for a real treat, Bob came across this field of ice flowers. Those of you who sailed on that memorable day on Cobbosseecontee will recognize these:

Rain starting there late tomorrow initiates a warming trend punctuated by a day of snow mid-week before getting cold again. Don’t give up: ice will come. Thanks Bob!

Pushaw last December. We’re paying for it now!