Road/lake update

 

Hydro

Power has been restored after two days. The problem was a small tree that fell on the lines. It was not enough force to pull the wires down, but it caused several wires to get 'close enough', that  they 'shorted out'.

So there is only ONE hydro line that serves the ELCA. It runs from the Elephant Lake Lodge area, to the small island to the south, then the line continues to our main island, west side (JJ property). Then the lines run to the remainder of the cottages. 

Hydro has a green, ground level transformer at Boston's, with a large coil of cable that comes from the lake. It is not in operation and the hydro people say it is for use in the future. Apparently it gives the cables time to settle into the lake before hook up to transformer.  Probably a replacement. But, there has been a suggestion that the Nudist Colony at the north end of Clarke Rd may need power. Unknown at this time.

Half load restrictions on the roads now in effect. Early start this year.

 

water on ice

 A thin layer of water on the ice. Freezing weather may produce great skating on the lake.

Thin Ice

 Just off the shore, along the Benoir-Elephant Lake Wetlands, the ice is thin. Machine through the ice yesterday. 

Family Day at 911

 

Time Flies

 

10,000 pounds of wood

 So you want to burn wood to heat your cottage? Listen to this.

On Oct. 9, 2023 we started the first of our two wood stoves to heat our 2000 sq. ft. cottage. (Another 

1000 sq ft unheated.) We calculated the amount of wood, well seasoned, brought into the house. Each green container averaged 25 pounds. As of today, 400 boxes have been brought into the cottage. This makes 10,000 pounds of wood burned.  Only hardwood used. Daytime temperature in cottage averaged about 22 degrees. Down to usually 19 at night.

The weight of wet wood for 400 containers, would be 14,492 pounds. Wood dries to 69 % initial weight. 

The number of bush cords used will be obtained later. 

This has been an unusually warm winter. A normal season would require more wood.  It probably makes more sense to install a heat exchanger and only use wood when outdoor temperature reaches -18 and colder?