If anything goes sour then I guess we'll just end up chasing the ice early, but I like being optimistic as Petrgill says.
I've seen most places with about 8 inches of solid ice - which is great. But then I've been to one place, and heard reports of a couple others with up to a foot. Keep note of those spots for the end of the season. Productive or not they are places to go.
Unless you guys want to team up and make a huge floating raft? Think about it. "Team RI - We don't need ice!" LOL