Ice Out Update: May 9, 2023

“Is this the beginning of the end?”

Let me start off by saying the wind has been a big factor on ice out this year. From the last post the wind has kept up until today blowing the ice up against the shore. Here’s some shots from yesterday…

May 8th, and the ice is on it’s last legs…..

A few hours later…

The ice has even worked it’s way back into the creek……

So that was yesterday and based on how things were going it was sure looking like May 9th would be the day. This was this morning…

May 9th, a foggy morning with no wind and ice!

Contrary to popular belief the VBL “Ice Out Contest” does have some rigorous standards to maintain. This definately does not meet the criteria for “ice out”……at least this morning. What about later? Here’s a shot from around 6 p.m……..

Some remnants of ice along the shore and what’s not visible are pieces floating around the bay. Had we had any wind at all this ice would have been gone. Much as I would like to put this to bed I will wait a few more hours to check on the status. Those who picked May 9th, your efforts and recognition hang in the balance.

An hour or so later…

Here’s the verdict in pictorial form…….

Ice out is official! May 9, 2023!

Before I declare the winner here are some of you who came close:

May 8th…Keith Martin, Jon Mauer, Tim McCarthy.

May 10th…Dick Pederson, Dave Kaufman, Ron Dilbert.

Post game stats: In total I had 50 guesses ranging from April 19 to a vague “June”….

The winner, as in the first person to guess May 9 is………Jim Drew. Congratulations Jim. Interesting note: Jim was the second person to enter a guess in the contest. In second place with the correct guess is….Red Demon ( a man of mystery and action)……..and in third place is Karyn Ray! Thanks for everyone for your participation. Jim is actually booked in for this summer so he will be able to claim his prize of any fabulous VBL bling of his choice.

Stay tuned as we get a boat in the water and check out the situation….till then, stay calm and look for the signs…………..