Brief Update

My laptop decided to have a meltdown on Friday morning, so don't think I have jumped ship! I will post with more detail once it is up and running.

CC2007 Update:

• Jerky is made


• Food is packed


• I still have some minor packing left to do , but even that is all but completed.


• The Weather for Mattawa ( closest town to our Trip) is calling fro thundershowers on Sunday. ...I hope that changes!


• Strained my neck and lower back yesterday and it is causing me significant pain today. It is all muscular and I positive it will be healed before we leave, but still has me a little concerned.

Have a great day and say a prayer to the "computer gods" for me!

UPDATES!

In preparation for CC2007, which we leave for in just 8 days, I have been reading some of my older posts in hopes of hitting the "refresh" button on some of the details for the trip. After reading about 10 or so of these posts from last year, I started to noticed how the style of my writing has changed from a fact based style to more of a rambling first person narrative. Personally, I enjoy both, but lately I have found it hard to find the time to write it all out and it has greatly reduced the number of times I post. So for now.. I will return to the points, but don't worry, I am far too long winded for it to last long!

1. CC2007 Prep: All the lists are made, the food has been purchased and for the most part I am already packed. All I have left to do is grab some dehydrated mango and GORP from the Bulk Barn, buy some baby bell cheese ( my IGA doesn't sell it...PS- they suck!) and a few minor items from Crappy Tire and I am ready to go! As I write, 3 lbs of inside the round beef is marinating in the fridge and will be jerky by this time tomorrow. My excitement level for this trip is at an all time high and neither of us can wait to get it started!
2. How I make Canoe Trip Lists: As many of you will already know, I am crazy about lists! Much of this stems form my need to always be prepared and my fear of forgetting something important. "....I thought you brought a lighter?". Call me obsessive, neurotic or a control freak, but in my life I just feel better when everything is written out and canoe trips are no different. For our trips I have 4 main lists: Gear List, Grocery/Packed list, Meal Plan and To Do list. Here is how I do it. First thing I do is create a meal plan...nothing crazy here just 3 meal a day and what snacks and beverages we will have. From that list I then create the Grocery/Packed list that I use to buy what we need and then check it off as it is packed. The to do list is just a list of things I want to remind myself of....like " pack the freezer food" or "charge camera batteries" or "grab paddles in garage"...that sort of thing. I find this list very helpful for those little jobs that may get lost along the way. The last and most important list is the mighty Gear List. I do my Gear list a little different. I break the list into 6 headings: Clothing (including clothes worn), Kitchen Equipment, General Equipment, In my Pocket, Top of the pack and Other considerations. I then assemble everything on my dining room table ( ...my wife HATES that part) and scratch off items at they are packed. Anything that can not be packed then (like my glasses for instance) I circle, so I will notice it later.
3. Harry Potter: As I have mentioned many times, I am a total geek and just in case you need more convincing....I was in the line at midnight to pick up both my copies ( one for me and Tanyia...did I mention she's a hot geek?) last Friday night! I love the books and I am already about half way through it. It makes me a bit sad that this is the last one though and even though I am sure this is it, I am still holding out hope for another one. "...hi, my name is Jim and I am a Potter-a-holic"
4. Training: Not to sound arrogant, but I am kicking ass on the ground and in the water! My running and biking are going well, in fact, I have already bettered ( is bettered even a word?) my projected times for both. But it is my swimming that I am most proud of! I have been doing a swim program that over 3 months escalated in distance, intensity and speed and for the first time I swam the full distance, without breaks, at "race speed". I finished in 13:22 seconds which would put me in the top 100. It is just under a month until race day and I am looking forward to scaling back my workouts after the race. It has been awesome, but after doing 2 workouts a day, 6 days a week for the past 5 months I think earned a bit of down time.
5. Solo Trip Write Up: First off, thanks to everyone that has inquired and I am pleased to let you know that it about half done and I hope to post it before we leave for CC2007. The experience I gained solo has changed how I look at tripping and I hope that by doing an honest and at times embarrassing account of my trip, that others can learn from some of my mistakes.
6. History of Brent: I had intended on posting this a while ago, but never got around to it until now. It gives a brief history of the town of Brent (access point 27) and has some great pictures. Thanks Gerry!
7. Gerry's Car: As Gerry discussed in a recent post, he accidentally caused some costly damage to his car. In hopes of making him feel better about it, I figured I would share some of my more embarrassing car related mishaps. Like the time I backed out of my drive way and rammed in to my next door neighbours car causing $1000 damage or the time I rear ended an SUV at a stop sign because I had to go the the bathroom so bad I was about to pee my pants. This one caused $3700 damage to my car and nothing to the other vehicle! Another good one was while traveling through Quebec Tanyia suggested I slow down and while pointing to the busy highway, I said to her "Look at all these cars...what are the chances of me getting caught?"....5 minutes later I was being written a $300 speeding ticket. See Gerry, stuff like this happens...and fortunately for you, it seems to mostly happens to me!

Solo Trip was a bit on the crazy side..

The trip was a great learning experience and turned out to be more then I thought it would be. That said, I ended up coming home early because of damage caused to my canoe and my hammock when a tornado touched down on the southern part of Pen Lake....that's right, I said a tornado! I will do a full write up about the experience in the next few weeks, but for now I am focused on CC2007!

Gerry and I had planned on staying at the hotel across from McCools in "downtown" Mattawa, but it's completely booked. Who would have guessed Mattawa would be such a popular tourist destination? Anyway, we have booked at the Welcome Inn (same place as last year...) for the night of August 2nd.

I don't have much time today, but I promise to update on Friday!

It's 4 AM....I must be leaving for Algonquin!

I am just about to leave, but I just wanted to post one last time and I will update when I return.....I am off to Algonquin!!!

Canoe Quote

"What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more rapidly and inescapably than any other travel. Travel a thousand miles by train and you are a brute; pedal five hundred on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred in a canoe and you are already a child of nature."

Pierre Elliot Trudeau

What does that mean?

Ever wonder what the weather man really means by scattered clouds? I found at the National Weather Service site...

PRECIPITATION
Technically, the Probability of Precipitation (often referred to as a "POP") is defined as the likelihood of occurrence (in percent) of a measurable amount of liquid precipitation (or water equivalent of frozen precipitation) during a specified period of time at any given point in the forecast area.

The following are precipitation probabilities used by the National Weather Service.

POP Percentage	Expression/Uncertainty	Areal Qualifiers
0 Percent	None	None
10 Percent	ISOLATED or None	ISOLATED or None
20 Percent	SLIGHT CHANCE	ISOLATED
30-50 Percent	CHANCE	SCATTERED
60-70 Percent	LIKELY	NUMEROUS
80-100 Percent	(none)	OCCASIONAL or PERIODS OF

SKY CONDITION
Forecasts normally include a sky condition unless it is implied from another part of the forecast. Below are terms we use to describe the sky condition:

Descriptive Term	Predominant or Average Cloud Cover
CLEAR or SUNNY	No clouds
MOSTLY SUNNY or MOSTLY CLEAR	1/8 to 2/8 clouds
PARTLY CLOUDY or PARTLY SUNNY	3/8 to 5/8 clouds
MOSTLY CLOUDY (sometimes CONSIDERABLE CLOUDINESS)	6/8 to 7/8 clouds
CLOUDY	8/8 clouds
Also used: INCREASING CLOUDS DECREASING CLOUDS

Weekend Update and I Leave Tomorrow

This weekend was awesome!Friday night Tanyia and I decided to stay in and rent a movie. I looked at the new releases, but there was nothing that really interested me. Although Hollywood can still occasionally hit a home run, I have found that most new movies are predictable and poorly written. The slide in quality started about 10 years ago and it's not that all new films are bad...it's just that most use the same plot line and that's just boring! So, with me unable to find a suitable movie, I decided to rent one that I had seen, but Tanyia had not. The movie Lucky Number Slevin is one of my all time favorite movies. In fact it is number 2 in my top 10, second only to The Shawshank Redemption my perennial number one. Anyway, Tanyia loved the film and I loved seeing it again. If you haven't seen it, you may want to rent it if you should ever find yourself lost in the sea of Blockbusters yellow and blue.

Saturday Gerry and I went over to his brother-in-laws place to watch the UFC event. He has one of those "Free-to-air receivers" and after seeing it in action I am pretty sure I'll get one. The fights were the best yet and it was great to spend some time with Gerry.

Sunday was split between training, my final preparations for the trip and family stuff. I weighed my pack and it came in at 52 lbs . That's food, gear and even my life jacket! I wondered how this compared to our packs from last years trip and so I looked it up in an old post.

Gerry' Pack 53 lbs (with full water bladder)
Jim's Pack 47 lbs (with empty water bladder)

Food Bag 30 lbs!

I thought that my bag was lighter then last year, but considering I am carrying everything myself I think I did a good job of keeping it fairly lite. The food is bag weight is hilarious. After seeing that we brought 30 lbs of food last year I had to see what my food bag was. Including 750 ml of wine, all meals and snacks it weighed in at a whopping 5.5 lbs! I learned a lot last year and so I only brought what I needed plus snacks, wine and an extra days food should I get wind bound.


All weekend they were predicting rain on 2 of my 4 days in Algonquin, but that all changed this morning when I checked the weather network site for Dwight....nothing but sunshine all week! I am still prepared for the possibility of rain, but let's face it....the trip would be much better without it! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I will try to post again before I leave, but just in case I don't get the chance I will post pictures and of course keep a journal of the trip and post upon our return. Lastly, thanks to everyone that has taken time out of their day to check out my blog, it makes keeping it up to date so much easier with all of your help. Thanks everyone!!!

Awesome Gift

Like many people, I love coffee. The aroma of fresh pot of java is one of those things that can make me feel at home, regardless of where I may be and our canoe trips are no exception.

We have tried a few different ways of preparing coffee while in Algonquin. The first was the French press which worked well, but is just not practical for interior camping. We have also used these little bags you fill with coffee, then using a little stick hang it over your mug. This worked OK and was light, but it was too easy to get coffee grounds in our mugs. It seemed there was not a perfect solution.

That all changed yesterday when Gerry arrived at my place with a gift he had picked- up from MEC. It's called the GSI H2JO! Coffee Filter and it's a metal coffee filter that converts any Nalgene bottle into a a simple coffee brewer! I plan to try it tonight, but it looks amazing and will no doubt become a staple on all our trips.

Thanks Buddy!

Rain Rain Go Away...

Yesterday the weather for my trip took a turn for the worse. In the area surrounding Dwight (closest town to Rock Lake) they were calling for rain for most of next week....DOH!! Not that big a deal, but when I imagined my evenings to be spent by the fire, with a wine in one hand and a book in the other, not hunkered down under a blue tarp.

This morning though, everything is looking up! They are now forecasting for rain most of the weekend and clear sunny skies for my trip....YEAH! It seems funny that the weather can change that much in such a short time. It makes me wonder how accurate these "predictions" really are.

Rain or shine I leave in just over 3 days...

Fishing Cedar Lake

Someone mentioned that Jake Pigeon has a map on display where he has circled all the best fishing spots. Something Gerry and I should check out when we are up there for CC2007.

Here is the quote:i

"...Your best bet for information is to talk with Jake or Bonney Pigeon who run the store for Algonquin Outfitters at Brent. There is a map displayed under glass at the counter that shows where to target for what species. They won't give you a copy (for good reason) so you'll have to do your best to remember those that are close to where you are camping."

A few links for Rock Lake Solo

1. Driving directions
2. Mark in the Park Rock Lake trip log

9. Rock Lake (Copied from Algonquin Adventures trip logs)

(9.1) Loop: 3 - 5 days - via Pen, Welcome, Florence and Louisa Lake - Margaret Kean's "Visitors". (Brief text account, with e-mail contact)

(9.2) There and back: 2 days - to Welcome Lake - Cheryl's "Rock Lake to Welcome Lake" trip-log. (Substantial text account with three photos and email contact)

(9.3) There and back: 3 days - to North Grace Lake by way of Louisa Lake - Randy Born's "Rock, Louisa and North Grace Lakes - May 8-10, 2004 " trip-log. (Text account with three photos)

(9.4) There and back: 4 days - Pen, Clydegale, Welcome, Harry, Rence, Clydgale and Pen Lakes (with detours to Galeairy Lake) - Randy Born's "May of 2004, Phase Two" trip-log. (Text account with six photos)

(9.5) Loop: 5 days - Pen, Welcome, Harry and Louisa Lakes - May 12th to 16th, 2005 Markus Rubino's "Pen - Louisa Loop" trip-log. (9.6) There and Back: 3 days - north of Highway 60 to Redfox and Hiram Lakes - extensive portaging by logging road - May 21-23, 2004 Markus Rubino's "Hiram Lake Portage" trip-log.

(9.7) There and Back: 6 days - South to a basecamp on Pen Lake, with daytrips to Clydegale, Welcome and Harry Lakes "Rob W's Algonquin Spring Fishing May 9 - 13, 2005 trip-log. (text, photos and website).

(9.8) There and Back: 4 days - Portage to Pen Lake, with daytrips to adjacent lakes Mike and Laurie’s 3 Nights On Pen Lake trip-log. (text & photos).

(9.9) There and Back: 6 days - to Pen and Welcome Lakes, with a daytrip to Harry and Rence Lakes - Tom Yates' "The Yates Group Trip 2006". (text & photos).

(9.10) Loop: 5 days - solo "folbot" trip through Pen, Welcome, Harry, Rence, Frank, Florence Lakes and Lake Louisa - Jim FitzSimmons' "Algonquin Journal - 2006". (text & photos).

"What canoe did you rent?"

I was just asked the following question:

"Hey, for your solo trip, what canoe did you rent? Like size and weight? I am wondering if I should rent a solo, or a 15-16 foot lightweight. I am leaning to the latter. Thanks."

I considered renting a larger canoe, but it can be difficulty to maneuver a tandem canoe solo and I wanted it to be lite. The best compromise of weight and stability was the Swift Shearwater Kevlar fusion and it weighs in at a slender 38 lbs!

For any other details on the Shearwater click HERE and thanks for your interest!

Robinson Lake...Hammock?

A few weeks ago Gerry pointed out a potential problem with our using our Hennessy Hammocks while staying on Robinson Lake. Gerry said "...I wonder if there will be enough trees"....DOH!

We had spotted this site while on the 2006 trip, but that was almost a year ago and I couldn't remember the size of any of the trees. But while I was sifting through some of our pics I came across the ones we took while surveying the site and the answer was clear.

It will not be an issue....

Solo Trip Countdown Continues...JUST 5 DAYS!

Last night Tanyia and I took the kids to see the new kids movie Ratatouille. As we sat in the theater Tanyia leans over to me and whispers in my ear "...a week from now you'll be in Algonquin", then smiles. She knows how much I have been looking forward to this and she has been so supportive. I reached over and gave her hand a little squeeze in appreciation. Even before she said it, I knew it was just a week away, but at that moment it really struck me...in a week I will be in Algonquin...alone. In fact, this will be the first time I have ever been alone for more then a couple of hours. Earlier I wrote about how I was feeling anxious/excited about the trip, but over the weekend any anxiety was devoured by my excitement as I did the bulk of my trip preparations.

Gerry was kind enough to lend me his dehydrator, so I could try me hand at making beef jerky again. This was the 3rd time I had made jerky and by far the best. I used the same soy sauce based recipe that we enjoyed last year, but kept a real eye one the beef this year to avoid over drying. Gerry also suggested that I rotate the rings of the dehydrator every couple of hours, moving the one closest to the heat to the top. I also used a bit of the hot sauce that I had left out last year. All of this, combined with a 48 hour marinate in the fridge produced my best jerky yet! It is almost the perfect texture... not to wet or dry and the flavour is awesome. After a couple of bites you stat to feel a bit of heat coming, but just as you think it might get hot, the heat pulls back. PERFECT! Here is the Recipe if anyone is interested:

INGREDIENTS:
2 pound eye of round
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

I also spent the weekend packing all of my gear and most of the food. The pack is already so much lighter then last year, but I will weight it and post the final total a little later in the week. I have decided to bring a few luxury items, like my hard cover of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, three 250 ml tetra packs of a very nice Pino Grigio from Three Thieves and the Therm-a-rest chair..thanks Gerry.

The weather for my trip is looking great! No sign of rain and sunny every day. The only down side is at night is will drop to just 9 Celsius, which seems pretty cold for July, but who cares I will be asleep. With the temps dipping that low I imagine the night sky will be clear for stargazing.

At this point I have done everything I can do. I've realized that I need this level of preparedness to feel confident I can handle a trip like this. The last thing I need is to get out there and realize I forgot to bring *BLANK* and that *BLANK* would have made the trip so much better. So...my obsessive compulsive personality compels me to make lists, then triple check the lists to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. Once this is done, all I can do is worry I left something off of one of the lists in the first place...but that would never happen right? ....RIGHT?

Things that make me smile!

I haven't been feeling myself lately and can't put my finger on what (if anything) is wrong. It's not that I am feeling unwell at all, I just don't seem to have the same drive to do the things that usually make me feel happy. In an effort to snap out of this mental funk I thought I would put together a list of the things that make me happy.

NOTE: I have omitted my wife and kids as they it should go without saying

1. Hockey Night in Canada Theme Song - It still gives me chills.
   
2. Cleaning my Home- When the house is spotless I am at peace...crazy but true!
3. To Do Lists- I have so many lists and each time I scratch a completed task off it makes me smile...I know this too is a bit crazy
4. Singing while Driving- Few things make me this happy...not so good for anyone else in the car. To quote Gerry "....so you think you're a good singer eh?".
5. Post workout Glow- Must feel endorphins!!
6. Going to my Parents home- They are everything to me!
7. Watching my Kids play sports- I am the annoyingly loud guy cheering every moment of the game
8. When the Leafs Score- Everyone gets a high five...even the dog! (family tradition)
9. Gerry- We don't spend as much time together as we used to, but I enjoy any time we hang out
10. Algonquin- Going to the park, reading trip logs or writing about it here.
    

Going Solo in Just 10 days!

In just 10 short days I will be leaving on my first solo trip and I am feeling an odd mix of nervous and excited. This will be the first time I have ever gone on "vacation" by myself and it will be interesting to see how I react to that kind of solitude. I have always been a fairly insecure guy and throughout my life I have surround myself with people with strong personalities to help me make the best choices. It's not that I can't make up my own mind, I just prefer to have someone give a second opinion and more often then not, this gives me a little extra confidence that I am making the best decision. Needless to say, second opinions will be in short supply on my solo trip, so my ability to make decisions without any back-up will be put to the test and it has me feeling kind of scared. I just hope that these feelings are all part of a process that will have me return a more well rounded tripper and person. Hmmm....still not 100% convinced I can handle being alone for that long, but I am eager to find out either way. 10 days and counting!

I plan to do the few things I have on my "to do" list this weekend. Nothing to crazy, but it all takes time and since I have a 4 day weekend I figured it would be better to get it out of the way now.

Solo Trip To Do List:

1. Clean camera memory
2. Charge camera batteries
3. Make beef jerky
4. Do final gear assembly
5. Weigh pack
6. Food pack up (minus freezer stuff)
7. I am sure there are a few other things as well.... :)
   

While I was checking out my gear the other day I discovered that I have lost both of the carbon fiber stays to convert my thermarest pad into a chair. I called the company, but they were no help, so I will have to buy a new one before CC2007. Gerry is going to lend me his for my solo trip so I won't have to sit on the ground. Thanks dude!

I had ordered a pair of amphibious sandals from MEC and they arrived yesterday. They are just awesome, but they have given me blisters on one foot. I called the company and since they don't make half sizes there was not much they could do. I love the sandals, but can't deal with blisters, so back to MEC they go.

This weekend it my second favorite day of the year! Yes, Sunday is the first day for NHL's Unrestricted Free Agents and it is always an exciting day. I am not sure what the Leafs will be doing, but I have heard that they are very interested in signing Ryan Smith. Coverage begins on TSN at 10 or 11 am and I will be watching and praying that the leafs can sign some big names and unload some of there garbage IE Pavel Kubina.

My tri training continues to go well, but I have been getting a little bored with biking, so I decided to mix it up a bit. On Tuesday I went for an 80 km ride to my parents place in Uxbridge and it was just what I needed to add some excitement back into my workouts. On all my rides I attach my Garmin Forerunner to the handlebars and it tracks my heart-rate, speed and all the usual GPS stuff. In all I burnt 2800 calories and It took me 2 hours and 30 minutes. On one hill I reached a top speed of 56 km/hr...on a bicycle! It was so awesome! Tanyia and my boys drove up to have a swim before we loaded up the bike and made our way home. What a great day!

Hennessy Hammock Gear Test Video

Last Friday evening Gerry and I did a complete set-up of our hammocks and caught it all on video. This video is not exactly a gear test....it's more of a way of showing anyone who might be interested in buying one just how easy they are to set-up.

One of the things perspective Hennessy Hammock owners can' t fully appreciate from the video is how comfortable these things are. Once I got over my fear of the whole thing crashing of the ground I was able to lye back in absolute comfort as the breeze gently rocked me back and forth. After 5 minutes I was starting to feel like a 220 lb infant and had to get out to avoid falling asleep.

We are both very excited to use these on our trip this year and without further delay, here is the video...

PS- Make sure you listen carefully to here Gerry scream like a girl with excitement...and no, I am not kidding. It's just that good!

Leave No Trace

I found a great site that descibes the 7 elements to the "Leave No Trace" method of camping and conservation. It's a great summery and I figured some of you may be as interested in it as me.
Leave No Trace Principles

The Leave No Trace Principles of outdoor ethics form the framework of Leave No Trace's message:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
• In popular areas:
• Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
• Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
• Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
• In pristine areas:
• Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

We lost the contest?

OK so we entered the Algonquin Adventures photo contest and neither of us won. I am surprised that either Gerry or I didn't win something, as I thought our pics were good....but I guess not good enough? I think I was looking at our photos through the same eyes as a new mother would look at her ugly baby. Does she ever think her baby is ugly?

The ones that one were great and I begrudgingly congratulate all the winners.

CLICK HERE to judge for yourself.

If this doesn't get you missing Algonquin...

Found this great video on youtube of two friends trip to Crow Lake. It includes some wild video of the climb up the abandoned fire tower and the view from the top. There are also some great shot of the tow of them that has given me some great idea for my trip with Gerry.

Take a look!

It's official....I am getting excited!

With only 24 days remaining until my solo trip and just 48 days before Gerry and I leave for CC2007 it is all becoming very real. Until now I have been able to distract myself making lists, collecting gear and reading the countless trip logs available, but with just a few weeks before I go on my first ever solo trip the reality of what I am doing has started to set in.

Solo tripping is going to be very different then what I have done in the past. I have always had someone with me and almost every time, that someone has been Gerry. Having a friend like him is like being able to pick someone to be a member of your family. We have a "brother-like" friendship that is perfect for canoe tripping and despite our relative inexperience, there was always a feeling that together we could face whatever challenge stood before us. I found I was able do things collectively that I am not sure I could do on my own. So in many ways, my solo trip is as much about testing my abilities then it is about seeing a section of the park that is new to me. I am feeling a bit anxious about being alone for that long and what feelings that may evoke. I remember a section of Chris Lawsons trip log of his first solo trip and where he was trying to sleep, but his mind kept racing with every bump in the night. I have a feeling I will be much like that for the first few nights and plan to record it all for a trip log of my own. Here is an exert:

"At around 1:20am I was just coming out of my third or fourth abortive attempt at sleep. I desperately wanted the night to be over so I could get up. Not since I hit puberty have I ever left bed willingly to say nothing of longing for it. I heard a wolf howling off in the distance.

But then I heard what seemed like half a dozen wolves howling in response. Only these were close. From what I could gather from the direction, they were maybe across the river from my site, maybe 50m away? I could hear their footfalls. Some were howling, some were whimpering. I could hear one (some) growl while others cried in response. Clearly there was some disagreement going on.

This went on for a few minutes. Distant howl, next door neighbours' chorus. Then I heard a splash. One or several or all were coming across to check out the food smells from my site. And when they found nothing but granola and cocktail rye, were they going to be pissed. Maybe the one that lost the fight was coming over to pick on something easier. Like a chipmunk, or me.

Of course, wolves don't attack humans. They just howl a lot and chase the things they like to eat. And it's estimated that there are between 30 and 35 packs of them ranging throughout Algonquin Park. And had I been in a better frame of mind, I might have just considered myself lucky to have encountered them and might have longed for an actual sighting.

But I wasn't. I was scared. The howling stopped after a few minutes and I hazed in and out of consciousness.

I recall spending borderless periods of time analysing noises: stubble scraping sleeping bag. Breathing through nose impeded by slight congestion. Stomach grumbling. Breeze rustling tarp. Squirrel climbing tree - fuck there he goes. Oh well, just so long as he spares me a tablespoon of coffee.

The next thing I remember is needing to go to the bathroom, being overjoyed at the fact that it was 6:10am. And my food bag was still intact. Hallelujah. "


I will be bringing my small waterproof point and shoot camera and my other digital camera that has a viewfinder. The waterproof Olympus is a far better digital camera, but I have found it difficult to frame a subject given the glare on the 4 X 3 screen. Anyone have a suggestion? The point and shoot also has a fairly decent video mode and I plan to shoot as much video as possible....maybe even a video diary.

I have been thinking about getting a small USB voice recorder to track my progress/feelings on the trip to use when writing the trip log and maybe a podcast.

My kids are a little to young to do any serious camping, so we are pulling them out of school next week and taking them to Sandbanks Provincial Park for 3 days. We are all very excited and looking forward to spending some time together without any distractions. I booked it about a month ago thinking the kids would be done school by then...but it turns out they are. Oh well, all the grades are already in and they don't get homework for the rest of the year anyway. I plan on bringing my Hennessy Hammock and giving it a real test drive one of our 3 nights as well. I just hope the weather at Sandbanks remains as nice as is predicted.

The countdown continues....thanks for reading everyone!

Fat Rage

Gerry wrote in a recent post about how athletic types are likely to voice there intolerance for fat people. We had recently talked about it and when the subject was first brought up I figured it would be directed at those that are overweight and chose to do nothing about it. But if seems that it is a much broader then that. Gerry points out that for many of these people they walk a thin line that at best is intolerance, but at times boarders on hate. Hate of them being at the gym, exercising, dieting or doing anything to change the habits that contributed to their obesity in the first place. Huh? How the hell are they supposed to lose weight then? It even

I have observed it happening a lot at my gym. These uber fit guys quietly (sometimes loudly) make fun of the fat people working out. It's just disgusting!

I have my own issues with people that are overweight, but only for those that are doing nothing to change. For example, anyone that is overweight and is suffering life altering or even potentially life ending health problems as a direct result of being fat should be doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to address the problem and if they do I applaud any effort....even one that fails. But if someone decides to do nothing to change their, smoking, diet, activity and lifestyle......then just shut up and live with the decision you have made. Don't whine to the rest of the world how unfair it is that you can't have another triple bi-pass surgery....please just shut up and quietly wait to die.

Stop bugging me!

It's no secret that Gerry and I love Algonquin Park. The Lakes, wildlife and unspoiled wilderness are just a few of the things that keep us coming back year after year. The only down side are the relentless army of mosquitoes, black and horse flies that also call the park home.

We have been fairly lucky when it comes to bugs. Most sites we have had are exposed and windy, so the bugs are not a factor. The same can not be said for the portages and I have found them to be much worse when I am carrying the canoe and unable to swat them away. This is where repellent is a must.

There are lots of repellent products that have DEET in them, so I thought I would collect some information that would be useful to those considering this product or that.

Which insect repellent is most effective?

DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) is the most thoroughly studied insect repellent, and is considered to be the most effective agent available.

Is DEET safe?

DEET is considered to be very safe when used as directed. Few reports of serious problems with DEET exist, and most have been associated with long-term or excessive use.

Are there non-DEET alternatives?

Citronella oil, lavender oil, and p-menthane-3,8-diol are also registered insect repellents available in Canada. While they have been shown to provide some protection against mosquitoes, they generally do not provide the same level or duration of protection as DEET.

How long do insect repellents protect against mosquitoes?

Approximate protection times against mosquitoes for registered repellents are listed in Table 1. For DEET, duration of protection is related to its concentration in the repellent. Products with 30% or less DEET will provide sufficient protection against bites. Higher concentrations may be associated with increased health risks when used long-term. This is why Health Canada is phasing out repellents which contain more than 30% DEET.


• Products containing 30% DEET provide up to 5 hours of protection.
• Products containing 20% DEET provide almost 4 hours of protection
• Products with 10% DEET provide almost 2 hours of protection
• Products with 5% DEET provide an 1 hour of protection.

Solo trip Meal Plan

Four Day Meal Plan for Solo Trip

Day 1:
• Breakfast- ON THE ROAD
• Lunch- Bagels with deli meat, cheese,
• Dinner- Sausage on a bun, White wine, flakie
Day 2:
• Breakfast- Protien/Oatmeal, coffee
• Lunch- Bagel, bacon, cheese
• Dinner- Side Kick/ TVP, White wine
Day 3:
• Breakfast- Protein/Oatmeal, coffee
• Lunch- Tuna Wraps,
• Dinner- Side Kick/ TVP, White wine
Day 4:
• Breakfast- Protein/Oatmeal , coffee
• Lunch- English Muffin, Bacon
Snacks:
• Jerky
• Dehydrated Mango,
• Flakies
• Granola Bars
• Oatmeal/Protein
Liquids:
• Coffee
• Crystal Light
• GORP



Grocery List:
1. 3 – Bagels
2. 1/4 lb. Ham
3. 4 oz Cheese
4. 2 – Sausage
5. 2 – Buns
6. White Wine
7. 1 packs – Pre-cooked bacon
8. 4 servings of coffee, whitener, sweetener
9. 4 servings of green tea
10. 2 – Side Kick Pastas
11. 2 – Servings of TVP
12. 12 – Instant Oatmeal
13. 6 – Servings of protien
14. 1 – Tuna in a bag
15. 2 – Whole Wheat wraps
16. 1 Lg Pack of Beef Jerky
17. Dehydrated mango
18. Dehydrated Watermelon
19. 6 Flakies
20. 10 Sweet and Salty bars
21. Crystal light crystals
22. 1/4 lb GORP

Absolutely Hilarious Canoe Related Stand-Up

Why... Why...Why?

"Why would you ever want to do a canoe trip like that?"

To anyone that has experienced the many things Algonquin has to offer this may seem like a strange question....or at least I thought so, when asked recently. The funny thing is it wasn't the first time I have been asked this and I am sure it won't be the last either. As Gerry and I can attest, once you have been exposure to the natural beauty that the park has to offer there is no escaping its lure, but trying to explain that to someone that hasn't... is almost impossible. Since the main reason why I love our trips is based on the feelings they evoke, I am at a complete loss to explain all of that to anyone hasn't done it. So I have a simple way of answering...

Some people really "get" canoe tripping and some really don't. For my part I am glad both Gerry and I do.

Albert Einstein, although not talking about canoe tripping, sums it all up quite well...

"A human being is part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

Albert Einstein, 1954

Meal Plan Finalized.....Again

Gerry and I have finalized our meal plan for CC. 2007. It was actually done some time ago, but either our palates have changed or the fact that we leave in in a mere 57 days has forced us to take a hard look at what we need and not got caught up in last years trap of "...this would be nice".

So without further delay, here is the Final (...I hope) meal plan for CC 2007 and below that you will find our Grocery list. At a glance it would appear that we are bringing about 1/3 the food we did last year, so that equates to about 10-15 lbs of food. Compared to the whopping 36 lbs of food we brought last year, of which we ate less then half and even that was often forced down.

C.C 2007 Five Day Meal Plan

Day 1

• Breakfast- ON THE ROAD
• Lunch- Bagels with deli meat, cheese,
• Dinner- Sausage on a bun, White wine, carrot cake


Day 2:

• Breakfast- English Muffin, eggs, bacon, hash browns, coffee
• Lunch- Bagel, bacon, cheese
• Dinner- Ham Steaks, instant mashed potatoes, White wine

Day 3:

• Breakfast- Protein/Oatmeal, coffee
• Lunch- Tuna Wraps,
• Dinner- Steak , Side Kick Pasta

Day 4:

• Breakfast- Protein/Oatmeal , coffee
• Lunch- English Muffin, Bacon
• Dinner- Pasta Side Kick/ Textured Vegetable Protein

Day 5:

• Breakfast- Protein/Oatmeal
• Lunch- ON THE ROAD

Snacks:

• Jerky
• Dehydrated Mango, Watermelon
• Flakies
• Granola Bars
•Oatmeal/Protein

Liquids:

• Coffee
• Gatorade Crystals
• GORP



Grocery List:

1. 4 – Bagels
2. ½ lb. Deli Meat
3. 8 oz Cheese
4. 4 – Sausage
5. 4 – Buns
6. White Wine
7. Small Carrot Cake
8. 6 – English Muffins
9. 500ml – Flavored Egg whites
10. 2 packs – Pre-cooked bacon
11. 3 cups – Hash Browns
12. 14 servings of coffee, whitener, sweetener
13. 6 servings of tea
14. 2 – Ham Steaks
15. 1 – Side Kick Mashed Potatoes
16. 2 – Side Kick Pastas
17. 12 – Instant Oatmeal
18. 2 – Tuna in a bag
19. 4 – Whole Wheat wraps
20. 2- Steaks
21. Roast for Jerky
22. Dehydrated mango
23. Dehydrated Watermelon
24. 8 Flakies
25. 26 Sweet and Salty bars
26. Gator-aid crystals
27. ½ lb GORP

The one gift that every woman will be wanting this year

Tri Training Update!

I just got back from the pool and for the first time since I started training I am excited about swimming! I really disliked it for the first 4 weeks, I guess I went in way overconfident and it showed. My first time out I expected to kick ass, but I couldn't even complete 50 m without having to stop and gasp for air.

But that was 8 weeks ago and things have changed. Today I swam consecutive sub 1:45 100 meters and when I was done all 1000 meters, I felt like I could keep going. This has NEVER happened before! Usually by the time I finished I am so tired and out of breath that I am just happy to be able to leave...but not today, NOT TODAY!

That's all for now...just had to tell someone!

A little bit of this and that...

• This summer will be the first where we have had all 3 kids in soccer. When we registered them I remember Tanyia saying "...imagine if they all play on the same day?". I dismissed this as very unlikely, "nah, there's 7 days to choose from...what are the chances of that?". That was the kiss of death, 'cause as I am sure you have already guessed the impossible has happened. We are fortunate that we have friends that have agreed to take one of our boys to practice, otherwise it would be impossible.
  

• With me doing 2 workouts a day, 6 days a week, I go through allot of laundry. I wear moisture wicking shirts and shorts both, but since they are so expensive I don't have many. This means that I have to run the washing machine much more then if I had more workout clothing, but with the shirts costing $50 each, what choice do I have. Well Vector Cereal is offering a free $50 Running Room technical running shirt with every purchase. I went out yesterday and bought 4 boxes and when will be picking up my shirts today. That's $200 worth of running shirts for buying $23 worth of cereal and the best part is I ALREADY eat the cereal!
  

• UFC 71 is tomorrow night and I am so pumped. This is one fight I have wanted to see since Rampage Jackson knocked out Chuck Liddell during the Pride fightings Final Conflict 2003. Although I haven't spoken to him about it, I hope that Gerry is able to come over and watch it. These guys really don't like each other and have allot to prove...this is going to be thrown down. Whooo!

• I am meeting up with an old friend tonight for drinks and some fun. This was all made possible by Facebook. Up until now, all the people have met on F.B have been people I knew, but not really in the category of "good friends". Dave on the other hand was one of my closest friends and a great guy. I am meeting him at his home in Brooklyn and then we'll go visit his parent. Dave and his family were always allot of fun and I've been told that they will be having a karaoke party tonight....anybody up for a little " To all the girls I loved before?". I will do an update on how it turns out, but I sure hope it turns out better then Gerry's experience....does anybody smell boiling rabbit? Just me?

Have a great weekend everyone!

30 Years ago today I became a Geek!

A long time ago, before Star Wars sold out, the Force turned farce and R2-D2 became a postal pimp, there was magic in the air.

It was the summer of 1977, and I was just about as excited as a 6 year old boy could be.

Although it would be years until I would see the movie, I could watch the TV trailer and it had been billed as "the story of a boy, a girl and a universe." It also had robots and spaceships and cool lightsabers....what more inspiration could an aspiring geek need?

I always liked science fiction, but that trailer changed the way I would look at my world. I was no longer confined to my little home in Wabush Labrador, I now dreamed of exploring the Galaxy and fighting the "bad guys".

I wasn't alone in this. Millions of other people had exactly the same reaction to Star Wars three decades ago. They fell under the spell of the heroic rebel quest of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia and the quasi-religious life force known as "The Force." They booed the galactic fascist Darth Vader, the planet-destroying agent of the evil "dark side" of The Force.

The original Star Wars movie, first released on May 25, 1977, spawned a franchise of six films, countless commercial spin-offs and the multi-billion-dollar Lucasfilm empire run by creator George Lucas.

It changed film forever, creating the ever-expanding universe of entertainment options that modern movie going has become and making "blockbuster" a more important word in Hollywood than "Oscar." This summer's big-ticket "threequels" like Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Shrek the Third all follow a trail of gold blazed by Star Wars.

So let's all pay homage to the biggest geek of them all....God Bless you George Lucas!

Gerry is even happier then this guy!

Gerry just called me and he has ordered a Hennessy Hammock as well. So now CC2007 will officialy be the most comfortable trip to date.

We talked about doing a video together once his hammock arrives, but Gerry seems reluctant. C'mon Gerry, embrace your iner geek with me. Hello?

Way to go buddy....you won't regret it!

Iridium Flares are frequently seen in Algonquin

If you are anything like me, ritght now you are thinking...."What the hell is and Iridium Flare?"

Q. What is an Iridium flare?

A. An Iridium flare is caused by the sun being reflected from one of the three main mission antennae (MMA) of an Iridium satellite. The MMAs are flat, highly polished aluminium surfaces, and when the angles are just right, they can reflect the sun just like a mirror. There are over 80 of these communications satellites in orbit, and they are operated by the Iridium LLC Consortium.

Essential Canoe Expedition Tips

General Tips

• Keep the things that you want during the day, for example water, snacks, sun cream, sun glasses etc., in a separate bag, a bum bag is handy for portages
• Pack your food and cooking equipment separately. It makes it easier to bear proof your camp, keeping all food substances separately.
• Pack your bag so that when you arrive at camp the things that you want first are at the top of the bag

Packing your Canoe

• Only take what you need!It is nice to have a few luxuries but too many and you loose to chance to be at one with the wilderness!
• Paddle tandem - half the effort on and off the water!
• Practice paddling a loaded canoe before you set off.

Portaging:

• Limit the number of items in your boat
• Put any bits and pieces in your boat in one bag so that you don't end up juggling on the trail
• Limit the number of times you have to walk the trail - First time with a bag and paddles to check out the trail (it is frustrating doing this with a boat on your shoulders) then second time with the boat.
• When paddling tandem (highly recommended!) you can alternate who carries the boat, and operate a 3-bag system.
• Take rests when carrying the canoe - on your first walk of the trail look for places where you can prop the boat up and climb out from underneath without having to put it on the floor
• Strip the boat down before carrying - it is heavy enough without swim lines and throw lines hanging off it
• Make sure you leave your boat well up from the water so you don't come back to find it floating away
• Leave the beginning of the trails free from clutter so that other paddlers can access the portage trail

Arriving at camp

Try to have a pattern that works, particularly when paddling in a big team - this is my suggested order:

• Unload everything from the canoe
• Put the tarp up - you can then put everything under it if it is raining
• Set up your tent / bivi away from the kitchen area and fire
• Sort out a fire - collect wood etc. (see fire-lighting tips)
• Cook dinner - it is nice to do this on the open fire, but it does tend to take longer - take stoves as a back up
• We always have a swim, a drink and relax before getting to bed early for the next day

Bear-proofing your camp

It is essential to keep your campsite clean and tidy to ensure you don't have any unwanted visitors in the night:

• Cook in only one area- you only have to clear up one up then!
• Keep all food and toiletries away from your tent
  
• If hanging your food bags in the tree, make sure you do it before it gets dark!
• Get into the habit of tidying the kitchen and brushing your teeth at dusk, so that everything is ready to hang in the trees, and you don't remember your toothpaste at 10 o'clock!
• Ensure that you don't drop any food on the floor
• Burn all food rubbish on the fire- it is possible to burn orange peel as long as you have a good fire going
• Collect 'grey' water (washing up water and pasta water etc.) together and dispose of either into toilet box or dig a shallow hole away from camp
• Gut any fish caught well away from the camp area

Fire-lighting:

• Get everything ready before you start
• Collect a good collection of wood, kindling, birch bark and pine cones
• Use the birch bark to get the fire going, put the pine cones on top, then the kindling
• Leave the fire pit stocked for the next person

On the water:

• Get used to the scale of the map - 1:80,000 is common
• Stay hydrated by keeping your water and water pump handy
• Keep some snacks close at hand if you are like us and want to continually graze

Deep Fried Turkey....this is not a joke!

Last weekend my family met for dinner at my sister Kate's house and they were deep frying a turkey! At first I was really grossed out by the idea of eating a KFC like turkey, but tried to keep an open mind about it. Well I am glad I did, it was awesome and despite what I expected, not the least bit greasy!

It wasn't that tasteless, bone-dry turkey I cringe at on Thanksgiving. It was moist, flavourful and cooked in a quarter of the time of a regular turkey. I shot some video of it thinking it would be an easy target to make fun of after the fact..."...NASCAR, BB-Q and deep fried turkey...Whoooo what a weekend", but I can't say a bad thing about it.

Gobble? Why fry? There is no other way I can think of to cook that will give you a moist, delicious turkey in such a short period of time. The skin will be crispy and the meat will be juicy and--depending on how you marinade it--spicy.

Deep frying a turkey is not a horribly difficult thing to do, but it requires some preparation and effort to do it right, especially the first time.

Found this on Consumer Reports:

"Consumer Reports has issued a caution on turkey fryers stating that Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has refused to certify any turkey fryer as safe! UL said all of six cookers examined could overheat oil to the point of combustion and goes on to use words like "scalding," "flames." "engulfed" and "fire."

So other them safety it's all good! LOL!

The video is my brother-in-law and his Mom and Dad checking to see if it is cooked.

You can do it!

Ever since I laced up my shoes and went for my first "real run" over five years ago I have wanted to help others to do the same. There's lots of reasons why, but the one that means the most to me is that anyone can do it....ANYONE! Unlike other sports, running is very individual and so are the goals and results.

Back in high school I played on lots of team sports and had some success, but I was never the star player I wanted to be. Whether it was rugby, basketball, wrestling or volleyball, I was always an average athlete and despite experiencing the feeling of winning as a team, I never felt I had contributed as much as the more talented players. There was no way for me to compete with them...they just had more god given ability and so I accepted the "worker" role on the various teams I played. I always wanted to have that feeling of doing my best and be rewarded for just that, without being outshone by someone more talented.

This is the best part about running. It's all about me! Not really, but it is all about individual results and people race against themselves as they strive for a new personal best. This is the reason so many of us run and explains the explosion in popularity in the last 20 years. With this in mind, I want to help people get out and give it a try.

The last few weeks I encouraged my wife Tanyia and Gerry's wife Marie to start a beginners running program. I could tell they were interested and motivated, but at first they were still hesitant, so I gave them some time to think about it. About a week passed and I still had not heard anything, so I emailed them "the plan". It's a starter run program created for those that have not run before and prepares them to complete a 5 km race. They liked it immediately and have been following it for 2 weeks! They are even going to compete in the Port Perry 5 km race in September of this year. Way to go girls!!!

Gerry and I have also laid the ground work for him and I to train together for a 10 km race this fall and are just working out a few details. It is so cool to help others benefit from running and even if only in a small way, I like to think that I have helped inspire them as well!

Time for a much needed update....

I know...I know, it's again been way too long since my last update of any significance, but between the demands of work, home and training it has been difficult to find the time. So this will be a summary of my last few weeks.

• The Hennessey Hammock- It arrived in about 10 days....not bad delivery time considering it is coming from B.C? At first glace I was impressed with the packaging and the fact that it comes with it's own stuff sack that has the set-up instructions printed on the outside...very cool indeed! The actual set-up on the other hand proved to be a little tougher then expected.. It wasn't that it was difficult to put it up, quite the opposite actually as the "tree huggers" and the hammock were up in about 5 minutes. The part I struggled with was figuring out the instructions for tying the "Hennesy Hammock Knot". This knot is the only thing that prevents you from crashing to the ground and as I found out the hard way, if you do it wrong the 3 foot fall should help to remind you the next time. The instructions on the stuff sack were almost impossible to decipher, so I again turned to the algonquinadventures.com forum to ask for advice on how to tie it correctly. As usual they delivered BIG TIME with this great site that describes how to do it and even includes a video. After watching the video a few times I have mastered it. The hammock is very cool and unbelievably comfortable. One of the features is how it can be used as a "camp chair", but I think it's more like a Lazy Boy...it's that comfy folks. As a tent it was great and although it will take some getting use to, I am sure this will quickly become one of my fav pieces of gear.
  

• Tri Training- My training continues to go well, but I have had to do some traveling with work lately, so it has impacted it a bit....but nothing to significant. The pool is still the thing I find most difficult, but with all the great advice I have been given from my coach Erin and Alex, my new RCMP "pool buddy" I have made some great progress. Alex is now in his early 50's, but at one time was one of the top 5 triathletes in all of Canada! He has been an incredible resource and I great guy to boot!

• Work really Sucks! - I have had to put in some stupid long days ( 20+ hour days) for the last week, so this has impacted my 'free time" in a big way. The positive side of this is how it has me appreciating how good I have it most of the time, but I will be SO glad when this is over. ...despite having the greatest co-worker in the world to spend time with. ( She is reading over my shoulder, so what else could I say?) LOL!

I will update again on Friday....NO REALLY I WILL!!

Natural Spring Water

Just posting this as a reminder to myself and others that there's a natural spring on the portage between Rock and Pen lakes. It has been tapped and has been a water source in this area for over 100 years. Since I will be there on my solo trip this summer and love a cold drink on a hot day...this will be perfect. Apparently, even on the hottest day, the water is so cold it almost hurts.

Here is a link to the forum post I found it in.


Here are the directions for anyone who doesn't want to read the whole thread:

"to find the spring be sure to look to your right as soon as you get off the first set of boardwalks... you'll see the very wet area under the boardwalk - about 3 paces to the right is a trail - the entry is usually overgrown a little. You'll go up a bit and to the right and curve back down - there is a board to stand on and a pipe in place to make filling your bottles easier."