Oxtongue Lake ice update 3/18/12: summer is the new spring

As I am sure I don't need to remind you, the weather has been a little balmy this week. Kind of "barmy" if you ask me, because I am still thinking that I am not done with winter activities yet. Looking at the forecast, I apparently need get over it and put the skis away:

Note the temperature drop at the end of the week. Back to normal?

That said, except for a few open stretches of fast moving, frigid river water, there isn't much chance of canoeing in Algonquin Park anytime soon. Notice the implied warning in the previous sentence. And speaking of fast moving frigid rivers, our neighbourhood stream, the Oxtongue River, is in full flood at the moment. One of the best activities at this time of year is staying firmly planted on shore and watching the raw power of places like nearby Ragged Falls. Here is a little video I captured on Friday. The water is even higher today!

Finally, for those of you who need photographic evidence, here is a picture, taken today, of the still-frozen of waters of Oxtongue Lake, just in front of the store.

It wouldn't be hard to get a canoe in the water but you wouldn't get very far.