It’s hard to imagine when the temperature’s near zero, but it won’t be long before lake-watchers celebrate the unofficial arrival of spring (or pre-summer, in some locales): Ice out.
For years folks have been telling me some interesting tales about ice out. Some have even said that when the ice goes out on their local lake, they can hear it happen.
Many others paint a picture of a once solid sheet of ice slowly eroding, then changing color, and finally vanishing beneath the surface.
In some towns, well-maintained records of official ice-out dates are kept. In others, people place bets on when that date will take place, down to the hour and the minute.
So why am I talking about ice out already? Well, I’m glad you asked.
In the upcoming issue of BDN Maine Outdoors, our stand-alone quarterly publication, we’re going to have a story about ice out. And you’re invited to participate.
Send along your own ice-out tales, memories, or predictions, and we may include them in the story. Send emails to me at jholyoke@bangordailynews.com, or mail me at Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329.
Look forward to hearing from you.