January 18, 2008

Dear Member

     We had a great freeze up this year – there actually was an ice road to Bear Island at the New Year.  However things changed quickly during the second week of January as record high temperatures of +12C quickly melted accumulated snow and opened up the road where it accesses the Mine Landing effectively stranding vehicles, such as my own, on the lake where they were parked or on Islands if people removed them in time.

Fortunately colder weather returned around Jan. 10 and along with some fresh snow traveling by snowmobile turned from problematic to excellent in a couple of days.  The road to Bear Island reopened on the 14^th.

With a nice covering of approximately six inches of the white stuff on more than 8 inches of ice it was time to start the property patrol season for the TLA with over 120 member properties to visit.  Accompanied by my son we traveled first to the North Arm as far as Whitefish Bay on January 13.  Ice conditions are good out on the lake however near shore, the rising lake waters from the afore-mentioned melting have brought up water onto the ice creating slush conditions near and around docks.  It is best to park off shore to avoid getting stuck.  In some areas the higher water and warm conditions resulted in poor ice making such that some bays with narrow entrances are inaccessible at this time.

It is clear that the high wind conditions over the past couple of months have resulted in many trees and branches down and more than the usual number of shutters blown out of or into cottages.  No serious damage has been observed at this time and most of the shutters were replaced sometimes with the help of a portable drill and a few screws.  Beaver continue to breed all too well contributing to the loss of some favourite deciduous trees on some Islands. 

During the second week of January traveling in the South Arms was spectacular with lots of snow and an almost eerie absence of others.  It is possible to travel through both south arms and not see or hear anyone for many hours.

All in all things look good on most Islands this month.  Apart from the afore mentioned trees down, beaver damage and shutters blown down there were no signs of break-ins at this time.  One curious situation found an aluminum boat frozen correct side up still tied to the dock – one wonders.

Our next patrol will take place in late March.  Rest assured if you have not already been contacted all is well in your little part of what we here call paradise.

Have a great winter. 

Cheers from Island 981 overlooking the North Arm

Peter

Chief and only patrolman