2014: Post 5 – Some ski progress

A few weeks ago I tried cross country skiing with my paddling buddies... see Post 1.  Well since then I had bought my own skis but then we lost all our snow.  Then we had more snow but I missed an opportunity to get out with the guys last weekend.  But this afternoon I was able to finally try out my own equipment at Pippy Park...

We started off at one location but the trails were narrow and twisted among the trees.  I fell down twice right at the start and the guys decided it wasn't the best place for me to learn so we decided to jump in the cars and go to a more flatter area where there was a track laid down, it was much more open, and the hills were more gentle.  

In my concentration of trying to ski, I had forgotten I had taken my camera but then remembered near the end of the day...  Neville and Tony had gone up ahead a little way and I took one of Gary who was hanging back with me...

Neville and Tony were having a chat while waiting for us, and when we caught up to them I got another pic of all three guys....

If I gauge my progress by the number of times I fall down I did really well at my second ski outing today.  The first time I tried skiing back in January I fell down at least a dozen times (I think it was more like fifteen) and hurt my ribs the second last time I fell.  Today I only fell down just five times; granted the hills we less steep at today's location but it is progress.  I felt much more comfortable on the skis, and my balance was much better.  I also wore less clothing than before, although it was colder today, and so did not overheat as much.

It was another great day to be outdoors.  In fact, it was a great weekend for outdoors... a paddle yesterday and a ski today...  

2014: Post 4 – Bay Bulls

Clyde, Tony and I went to Bay Bulls yesterday.  It was -11 C on the car's thermometer but it did not feel cold since there was no wind and the sun poured down on us from the cloudless sky.

With plenty of snow on the ground we were able to load up the kayaks near the cars.

We tried to seal launch but there just wasn't enough grade to get the kayaks moving on the snow but it was easy to pull the kayaks down to the slipway.

There were some ice pans at the put in...

We decided to paddle up the north side of the bay. There was some slob-ice in the bottom of the bay for a few hundred feet but it thin so it was easy to push our way through.

Of course there was a little bit of rock-hopping here and there...

... and there were lots of icicles hanging from the cliffs...

We paddled around North Head and continued to Freshwater Cove before turning around.  Once back at North Head we crossed the bay to the south side in a little bit of a snow squall.  On the way back down the shore we encountered some hikers on the trail above,and then some more slob-ice further along...

We were not too far from the put-in but, as per our usual routine when paddling, we found a little beach and took-out for a little snack and a stretch...

... before finishing our paddle back where we started...

In his quest for warmer feet, Clyde tried wearing a pair of
rubber boots over his drysuit socks.  He said it was the warmest
time his feet had been so just maybe he is on to something...

Thanks to Tony and Clyde for sharing another fantastic winter paddle. 

Be sure to check out Tony's account of the day and of Clyde's as well...

2014: Post 3 – The best paddle so far

Maybe I don't remember the other paddles from this winter very well, or maybe it's simply from lack of paddling since Christmas, but today's paddle felt like it was the best paddle I've had so far this winter.

It was a balmy -4 C when I arrived at St. Philips,  it was snowing a little, and there was little wind to speak of.  It was shaping up to be a good day on the water.  Within a couple minutes Tony pulled up, and then Clyde.  Just a few minutes more and Hazen and Neville showed up.... I could feel the anticipation as the guys prepared kayaks and gear.

And then off we went to Topsail Beach, taking our time... 

Hazen

Tony

Clyde and Neville

Da boys

It was high tide and when we arrived at Topsail Beach and, with a little bit of work, we were able to paddle up into the lagoon...  

Clyde

Tony

I've only been able to paddle up the river once before (you've got to hit the tide at the right time) but I was by myself then.  This time I was able to share the fun with friends... and I do believe this may have been the first time the rest of the guys paddled up into the lagoon.  We paddled across the little pond and took out for a little snack... 

Clyde trying out my cag

Hazen and Tony, with Neville in the background

After our snack and chat, we were cooling down and so it was time to get back in the kayaks and warm up on the way back to St. Philips... 

Tony

Clyde and Hazen

By the time we arrived back at St. Philips the snow flakes were bigger and more intense, adding to the enjoyment of winter paddling... 

Tony said he didn't want the paddle to be over and could just keep going up to Portugal Cove... and it was a tempting proposition.  But instead we paddled up the river, cleaned up, and went for coffee...  

Hazen sent me this pic he took of me during today's paddle so I thought I would add it to my entry....

Thanks Hazen, Tony, Neville, and Clyde for making today another memorable paddle.  

be sure to check out Tony's entry of today's paddle...