Carlin Lake Association

Rainy summer

 

I think we all have enjoyed our rainier-than-average summer.  These photos, taken on the trail off Carlin Lake Road, show puddles in the woods where I've never seen any before.  (Click to enlarge.)

 I've just been looking at Gail Speer's informative graphs on her weather webpage, and the numbers tell us just how rainy it's been:

 

Here's a summary of the inches of rainfall (rounded a bit) for this summer, compared to the average of the last four dry summers.  

June:  7.8" compared to 3.2" 

July:  6.1" compared to 3.6"

August:  5.3" compared to 3.4"

September:  7.3"  compared to 2.3"  

Total of 4 summer months:  26.5" compared to 12.5"    

(If you click in to Gail's graph titled "PI weather averages and records," you will see that the total averages show more rain than the averages for the  last 4 years of drought.)

Thanks, Gail, for such great information just a mouse click away!  Notice that Gail tells on her site how to support her efforts with a contribution, if you appreciate her local weather reports.

http://home.centurytel.net/presque-isle-weather/

And, we still have a 60% chance of showers today, so maybe the total rainfall for September will even increase.

 

Drought over?

 

Duanne Swift comments in the post below that his dock is floating.  He suggests that such evidence probably means we are no longer suffering from a drought.  What do you think?     

Last week, John Bates referred to the drought ending, so he seems to be optimistically agreeing with Duanne's assessment.

And, Carl Watras sends along this graph for us, with the most recent measure of water level on Carlin Lake, following last week's substantial rainfall.    It's fun to see the dots on that graph moving upward, rather than the downward trend we have seen the last summers.   Thanks for the info, Carl.

Good luck to the Swifts and the Ruchs, and to all of us who hope to get our docks out of the water before they float away.

Colorama

Last weekend I didn't expect it.  In fact, even on Wednesday, when I took these photos, I thought peak color would be ten days away.   But, in spite of our last two rainy days, the color has exploded.   We took a drive north toward Lake Superior yesterday, and even in the rain, the colors were spectacular.

If you are not already here, I hope you will be able to squeeze in a visit to the Northwoods in the next week or so.   These lovely days go by so fast, which probably makes us appreciate them even more.

The photos above were taken along Carlin Lake Drive.   Here, on the left is the Draves' shoreline from the lake, and on the right, the view of Davis' shoreline.  If you are out on the lake this weekend, you'll be seeing even brighter colors.

More next week on our record-setting 3.5" rainfall, and on rising water levels.  

Board meeting last Saturday

 

At Saturday's fall meeting of the board of directors, Char Glashagel pointed out that all four officers and all but one sitting board member were present.   Was the good attendance the lure of a breakfast at the Skyview, or an agreeable choice for meeting date?

The board heard reports from the water committee by John Farwell, the social committe by Carol Brewer, and the newsletter committee by Dick Straus.   Bob Ruch told about the team who monitored Carlin Lake this summer and found no evidence of invasive plants.  

Because of recent local zoning issues, the group talked about Presque Isle zoning regulations, and President Chuck Hayes clarified what our R-1 zoning designation means.  R-1, established at Carlin in 1997, is defined as single family residential, although present commercial uses  i.e. Carlin Lodge, have been grandfathered in. Grandfathered properties retain that status whether they change owners or not, but will lose that status if they do no commercial business for a calendar year.   

Rentals of private property are permitted, but with stringent regulation.  Only one rental a month is allowed, and a permit must be acquired so proper rental taxes are paid.  One thing that surprised me is that mobile homes are allowed in R-1, but must be on foundations and not moveable.   Apparently, this decision was reached at the state level, after lobbying from owners and manufacturers.  

This summary is only what I understood, so please do not take it as gospel.   If you would like to correct or clarify anything, please comment below.   Also, Chuck told us that all these regulations are available on the town website and at the town office, and I'm sure he too would be glad to answer any questions.

Carlin women on the loose (not the same as loose Carlin women)

The Carlin Lake book club enjoyed another successful field trip last week, this one to Lake Geneva and the Black Point mansion, site of our discussion book Black Point.   So, "yes"  is the answer to those who have asked skeptically if we actually read and discussed a book.

We were all most grateful to Carol for the top-notch planning, from hotel and restaurant reservations to the boat trip on the lake to the scheduling of the three days.   

Great fun, and lots of laughs!   Apparently, everyone anticipates a book club road trip becoming an annual event.  

For any Carlin woman who was not able to join us, please be assured that this goofy group is not exclusive, and that we welcome any of you any time you are at the lake.    It was fun to have Lori Sorensen, still working down south, join us for dinner on Wednesday night.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the summer home of Dick and Sue Lamb, arranged by Ann Swift and her mom Ethel, friends of and relatives by marriage to the Lambs.   The Lambs graciously and generously showed us through their beautiful, historical, comfortable, and well-used home.  Many of us thought their tour exceeded even our visit to Black Point.

Please click to enlarge any photo.  (Sorry, Sue, that I didn't get your face in the boat picture.)

 

New TV season (trying again)

I heard from a couple of people that my blog post this morning looked like Chinese on their computers.   So, this is a second attempt.    If you were one of the "Chinese" folks this morning, will you please email to let me know if this one comes through?

Is it OK to brag about a kid who's not your own?   If so, please let me tell about our friend, Eric Christian Olsen.

Eric, son of our longest and closest friends Paul and Jeanne Olsen, has earned a role as a regular cast member of the NBC series, "NCIS-LA."  The show begins its new season with a two-hour program tomorrow night, Tuesday the 21st.   We saw on some list last year that "NCIS-LA" was ranked in the top 10 TV programs, and an even more important accolade, John Farwell says it's a good show.

John and Eric's dad Paul were colleagues for about 40 years, and Eric went to school in Bettendorf IA where I taught, so we had plenty of opportunity to watch him grow up, and have followed his Hollywood path over the years.  He's a charming and personable Midwest boy, and it's been a pleasure to watch him succeed.

So, if you are a watcher of "cop" shows, maybe you will tune in to see what you think of Eric in "NCIS-LA" on Tuesday night.   Thanks for letting me share our excitement.  (Bet I'm the only place among Eric's hits on the web that calls him a boy.)

 

New TV season

Is it OK to brag about a kid who's not your own?   If so, please let me tell about our friend, Eric Christian Olsen.

Eric, son of our longest and closest friends Paul and Jeanne Olsen, has earned a role as a regular cast member of the NBC series, "NCIS-LA."  The show begins its new season with a two-hour program tomorrow night, Tuesday the 21st.   We saw on some list last year that "NCIS-LA" was ranked in the top 10 TV programs, and an even more important accolade, John Farwell says it's a good show.

John and Eric's dad Paul were colleagues for about 40 years, and Eric went to school in Bettendorf IA where I taught, so we had plenty of opportunity to watch him grow up, and have followed his Hollywood path over the years.  He's a charming and personable Midwest boy, and it's been a pleasure to watch him succeed.

So, if you are a watcher of "cop" shows, maybe you will tune in to see what you think of Eric in "NCIS-LA" on Tuesday night.   Thanks for letting me share our excitement.  (Bet I'm the only place among Eric's hits on the web that calls him a boy.)

Krassels expecting important visit

 

Kim and Al Krassel have been informed that their shoreline restoration project is one of six finalists for the state's Blue Heron shoreline steward award.   This coming Wednesday, a committee will be visiting Carlin Lake to complete scorecards evaluating the Krassel property. 

We have all enjoyed watching the Krassel shoreline grow and change.  Those of us longer-time lake residents remember when the shoreline was mowed right down to water's edge, allowing run-off directly into the lake.  Now, the restored plants have really taken hold, and give the shore a natural appearance, an appearance praised by the team assessing Carlin's vegetation this summer.

Good luck, Kim and Al, but know that we will love you and your improved shoreline, whether you become the top winner or not!

Busy Saturday

 

This Saturday, the 18th, the CLA Board will be meeting at the Skyview restaurant at 9:00 for their fall meeting.  If you will be able to attend, please let Chuck Hayes know, so he can make reservations for seating for breakfast.  Plan to arrive before 9:00 am, so you will have time to order before the meeting begins.

And, that evening, the "non-fish-boil" potluck will begin at 4:00 at Bill and Jeanne Huemann's.   Jeanne will prepare the barbecue, so all you need to bring is an appetizer, salad, or dessert to share, and your own beverages.   Rain or shine, join us on the Huemann's shoreline for a fun wrap-up to summer.

Wow!

 

Happy and proud fisherman Richard Straus caught these big fish on an unnamed Vilas County Lake (a lake which we live pretty close to.)   The fish are already pretty big, but as usual, you can click to enlarge.

--Isn't that how it's done in the city newspapers, keeping a big secret about the name of lakes with great fishing?   

Richard had to identify this crappie and this large mouth bass for me, but most of you are way better fishers than I am, and would not have had to be told.

Bill Huemann has a big fish story from this summer, too, that he'd probably be glad to tell you about.