Now under nearly a foot of snow, all that wonderful black ice of the past week is becoming a distant memory. Fortunately Dan Stilman has this unedited clip from Silver Lake for us. He put the 360 camera on Milo’s boat and sent him out for a fast lap. Be sure to watch it on the big screen and use the view rotator in the upper right corner.
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Thanks Dan!
Six ice boats sailed all over Silver Lake in Bucksport today in bright sunshine, strong winds and #10 ice.
Fleming, Young, Buchholz, Gagnon, Stillman and Bryce Geele.
Aside from two small holes, duly marked, the entire lake was in excellent shape. Silver has a wonderful combination of small, intimate passages and wide open, full speed broads. Today, with strong winds and temps in the teens it was great to be able to work your way up the “fjord”, a long narrow tall tree lined passage into the upper marshes and take a break from the cold wind.
Here is where we play cat and mouse round the little hummocks.
We were joined by three skate sailors: Ryan Haskell, Lincoln and Henry. Thanks to them for finding that hole.
And big tip of the hemet to Dan Stillman for doing a very nice restoration of Leo Healy’s old DN 1925. Not only that, but he was FAST today! Leo would be happy.
Light winds tomorrow followed by snow over the entire state means a white Christmas and dormant ice boats. Regrets to all who couldn’t make it today: it was one of the best.
After marking a half dozen or so big drain holes, we gave up and sailed only in the bay just outside Goulds. The ice from there to the bottom of the lake was ok as well, with a few smaller holes behind Dollar and Moose.
But we have decided not to go back tomorrow, but to sail Silver Lake in Bucksport instead.
Silver is very nice, with 5” of hard ice. The launch ramp is just past the parking area.
Hope to see you there!
9:30-10:00.
Thanks to Deb Whitehorse for sharing this!
This quote from the late Charlie Johnson fits Pushaw Lake perfectly right now:
“If all our ice were glass, slightly wet, and all our air reasonably steady with lifters just where needed, sailing would be perfect. Sometimes we do find this, and it is worth waiting years to have. Meanwhile we must accept the more ordinary ice conditions, ordinary weather and wind, and gracefully accept snow, sometimes for weeks. Our ideal comes from time to time; the Great Maker gives only so much of the very best.”
When our ideal comes around, it behooves us to accept the gift.
Bob Lombardo skated from Goulds Landing to the top and back today and found nothing but glorious ice.
The forecast is looking good for the next few days; light wind Tuesday at this point, but great breezze tomorrow and Monday.
We will be setting up boats at Goulds Landing tomorrow. All are welcome to join. Snow appears to be coming back later in the week.
Lastly, one skater does not safe a lake make. Please sail with caution until conditions are confirmed.
Remember last year at this time on Pushaw?
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Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club 