Good friends ARE hard to find!

Gerry introduced me to the world that is facebook this week. I signed-up and was surprised to find some of the people I went to high school are also members. High School was a fun time in my life, filled with sports, friends and occasionally even learning. I hung out in a group of 8 guys that I thought were the best friends a person could have, but were they really? When I reminisce about my secondary school experience I tend to focus on the laughter and fun, but my group of "friends" were involved in some things that weren't the least bit funny.

As an adult looking back on my teenage years, I don't know why I befriended these guys in the first place. They were mean spirited, image obsessed, peons that only cared about maintaining their status as "popular", often at the expense of others. But there I was, following along with them, just wanting to remain in the inner circle despite resenting many of them for the way they treated me. I have always been a bit insecure, but in H.S it was amplified, so I looked at this group of guys as a way of insulating myself from ridicule. How dumb is that? It was High School that would change the way I would choose my friends. I would stop hiding in large numbers and start developing honest connections with a few high quality people.

In my life I have been lucky enough to have 2 real friends. Yep, that's it, just two! The first is one of my friends from High School who I don't talk to very often anymore, but was a good quality person.

Gerry is the only other true friend I have ever had and outside of my marriage, is by far the closest I have even been to another person. He's one of those guys that most people just like to be around and I consider myself lucky to know him. We are so close that I consider him more family then friend and I know that I can always count on him...no matter what.

As much as it has been fun to find out about people I knew from High School, I don't really care to reconnect with them...I have all I need in my Wife, Kids and sole friend.

Spring is here folks!

The sun is out in full force and although my back yard is a mucky mess, I am so glad to see some great weather, even if only temporary.

Tuesday I took full advantage of the weather and took my new bike for its inaugural run. The bike was very responsive and crazy fast! I went for a 20 minute ride around Newcastle and that was all I needed to fall in love with this bike. The clipless pedals on the other hand, will take some getting use to. This was my first time I have ever had my shoe clipped to the pedal while cycling. It made the cycling feel very fluid and semi-effortless, but a bit scary at times. When I approached my house I made sure to un-clip my shoes in advance, but once I hit my driveway, I needed one more push to get over the hump. Without knowing it, this last push clipped my shoe to the pedal again and as I came to a stop I was shocked to be unable to put my foot down! So picture this...my neighbors are outside to witness me rolling to a stop and then just flopping sideways, bike and all! One of my neighbors yelled "are you OK buddy?". I was to embarrassed to be hurt. I felt like such a schmuck and waived back yelling " I am OK" as I layed there quietly dieing inside. I am still a rookie when it comes to cycling and I hope that my "clip comfort level" will increase with experience or this could get expensive. The bike was fine, as my soggy lawn had cushioned much of the blow.

I dropped it off at Impala Bikes to be serviced, as I start my Tri training on Monday and want to have it in tip top shape for the next time a drop it...I man ride it.

On a different note, if you are looking for a good motivational song to add to your mp3, look no further then "The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance. I must have played it 10 times during my cardio session the other day and it had my pumped! Give it a listen...

My son lights up the score board!

I put together this video of Jacob's last game of the year. It was his best game of the year...check it out!

Get Inspired!

I just finished reading a blog all about a girl completing her first Ironman competition. It is very well written and truly draws you into the story...very inspirational! Here is an exert...

"There is a feeling. Ironman takes so much preparation. Months of building distance. Months of following that cursed little black line. Months of injury and recovery. Months of alternately dreading and yearning for race day. Weeks of taper. Days of rising anticipation. Days of organizing. Hours of waiting. Hours of swimming. Hours of biking. Hours of running. The finish line comes and goes in a blink, but there is a feeling. All that pressure. All that effort. All that uncertainty. Then there is an instant. The release of it all in that instant is almost unbearable. The afterglow goes on and on and on."

After reading what the full Ironman is like, it makes my triathlon feel pretty small. I would love to complete an Ironman one day, but for now I have other chalenges before me.

Unexpected Inspiration from Quasi Celebrity

My official tri training starts the first week of April, but I have been putting in some serious bike work in hopes of easing the transition. To my surprise, cycling is something I am enjoying. In an attempt to learn all I can about techniques and body positions that will make me a better cycler, I have been going to some "spin" classes at my gym. Until recently, I have always been one of those guys that scoffed at the thought of attending "one of those classes", but with such a positive experience taking the Yoga class, I can't help but look at things with more of an open mind. After my first high energy spin class, I walked away feeling incredible...like I just finished a marathon kind of incredible! I was hooked and have been attending the "RPM" (road course) and "All Terrain" classes on a regular basis since.

Yesterday I convinced Tanyia to come to the morning spin class with me and although she was reluctant, with a little coaxing she agreed to go with me. It was fun to have here there with me and despite not ridding a bike in years, she did great! After the class I wanted to ride a while longer, so I struck around while Tanyia went to do some other cardio. I was then approached by the Jodie the General Manager of the club and the instructor for the class. She introduced herself and offered some tips to improve my form. As we continued to talk I let her know that I am training for my first triathlon and upon hearing that, she insisted that I come to the evening class. They were having a guest instructor for just one class that is head of the national training program. Her name is Kim Lavender and she has trained many stars and even the head trainer on the reality show "Making the Cut". Not knowing much more then that, I agreed to come and was fortunate to get one of the few remaining spots.

I returned to the gym at 5:00 for what would now be my second hard cardio workout for the day. I was one of the first there and as always, picked a bike at the front of the class. I find many people prefer to hide in the back because if the instructor has a good view, they will always center you out if you aren't doing something right. Well..that's why I am here right? Do your worst! The class began right on time and was by far the toughest work out I have ever done. The instructor was so motivational and inspiring...although I was there to benefit me, after a while I found myself wanting to prove myself to her. Weird eh?

After the class I again stuck around to do some extra bike work and soon it was just me and the instructor. When I was done she introduced herself as Kim and asked how long I had been cycling. Half laughing I responded "about 2 weeks"? She looked a bit stunned by this. She then told me that I have a natural gift for cycling and that I should seriously look at competing. I then let her know about my triathlon this fall and a little about my training program. Over the next 30 minutes she offered me tips and advice that only come from years of experience. The whole time I am thinking...how cool is the chick! As I am preparing to leave she says something to me that I feel will help me through the difficult months to come. She says " You have a real fire in your eyes when you train and very few have that kind of internal drive to push harder when their body is screaming to stop. I see it in you and if you push yourself hard enough, you could be GREAT." I thanked her and we exchanged emails and before I knew it, I was driving home. It was while driving home that her words really struck me.."you could be great"...WOW! The rest of the night I felt elated and I am sure I drove Tanyia crazy recounting my conversation with Kim, but it was just so incredible that I couldn't stop thinking about it.

This morning I have tried to write her an email to thank her, but how do I properly thank someone for inspiring me on this level. I just can't find the words. Maybe I should just send her a link to this post?

I many post again today, as the afternoon is looking fairly calm, but in case I don't, have a great weekend folks!

I may have to wear it , but I don't have to like it!

That pretty much sums up how I feel about this triathlon "outfit" I am looking at buying off eBay. I have researched everything out there on what people wear for the swim/bike/run and this is one of the few that can be worn for all 3 without the need to change anything, except my shoes. That is the upside to this ensemble. On the down side, I am gonna look like a total fruit cake!
I looked at various colours and styles, and this was the best one. If this is the winner, doesn't it make you wonder what the rejects looked like? Picking a "triathlon suit" as it is called, is like picking out a tutu. I can sift through a stack of tutus and probably manage to find one that is made of black leather with skulls on it, but even though this is the "cooler" one, at the end of the day I am still the guy who's wearing a frickin tutu. Am I being stunned about this or what? Normally this kind of stuff doesn't phase me, but I think it's more about wearing spandex. I don't think anyone outside of maybe Spider-man could pull off this look and feel like a man. I am I alone on this or what?

I did however pick up a pair of triathlon swim goggles for only $8.00 including delivery. They even match my superhero suit...hmmm, my spidey senses are tingling? Thanks eBay!

Today is going to be a busy one, so this might be it for today. Have a good day folks..(in booming superhero voice) up up and A-W-A-Y!!!!

Canoeing Quote of the Day

When asked what was appropriate clothing to canoe in this was his response....

"Don't dress for the paddle, dress for the swim"

Zeb from Algonquin Adventures

Rock Lake Solo: Tips from Kevin Callan

I took out Kevin Callan's A Paddlers Guide to Algonquin Park from the library a few weeks ago and found lots of usefull little tid bits to use on my solo trip to Rock Lake. Since I have to return the book in the next few days I thought I would post the usefull exerts that will be of help to me on my solo trip this July.

Kevein On Getting to Rock Lake:

"To access the Tock Lake put-in, turn sought off Highway 60 onto the gravel road leading to the Rock Lake Campground. Five miles (8 kms) later you will come to a crossroads. The put-in is straight ahead, but first you must drive to the gatehouse to obtain your interior camping permit".

About Rock Lake:

"From the docks at the access point, the route heads left, down the short stretch of the Madawaska River, and out into Rock Lake. The North end of the lake is cluttered, with a busy campground and a number of cottage sites, but the designated interior campsites are located to the sout, the best being situated on two of the three large islands and also near the base of a rock wall. Rock Lake is an excellent place for a history buff. Along the west shore one can observe the Native picographs- one of the few remaining signs of the park's earlier inhabitants. The rock paintings are believed to be by neighboring Ojibwa from the west. To locate the site, paddle to the north side of he bay, almost dirctly across from the west poin of Jean Island. The pictographs, consistin gof the vague traces of animals and a few tally marks, are on a wedge of rock close to the water's edge. The red ochre having faded over time, the paintings have become difficult to see against the pink graphite. "

From Pen Lake to Welcome Lake:

'The fourth trip is to Welcome Lake, and happens to be the most challenging but also the most rewarding of the five routes. To reach Welcome Lake, take the series of portages along the Galipo River, which flows into Pen Lake from the west. To locate the first protage, paddle into the weedy bay to the right of a knob-topped island covered in stout pine. The first protage (295 m) climbs up to the left of a beautiful waterfall and ends at the swampy expanse of the Galipo River. The river is more of a weedy creek then a major waterway, and it's a quick paddle from the put-in and up the twisting channel to the next set o portages. Here, the older Algonquin maps indicate a 1,170 m portage inot a small pond, followed by a 1000 m portage into Welcome Lake. In reality, the pond is now almost totally dry and the two trails have become on long 2,170 m portage."(NOTE: The new new maps show it as 2,170, but the PDF algonquin map divides the portgages as described)


From Welcome Lake to Louisa Lake:

"The long haul to Welcome Lake is worth all the sweat and strain. The circular lake is adorned with prime beach sites, and its remote setting offers some of the best brook-trout fishing in the park. To reach Lake Lousia from Welcome Lake, continue up the Galip River into Harry and then Rence Lake. Almost immediately after the entrance to Rence, head north up another shallow stream and a muddy 320 m portage into the connected Frank and Florence Lakes. Two portages connect Florence Laek to Lake Louisa. If the prevailing winds are extreme, you can choose to take the 3,455 m path located at the northeast corner of Florence Lake. This will allow you to avoid paddling almost the entire length of Lake Lousia. But the shorter, 1,725 m path at the northwest corner is a better maintained trail and a more direct route; just be sure not to get lost where the portage joins upo with a logging road approximatelly 100 m from the put-in. Turn right onto the road. Then, after abouta two-minute walk, turn left back into the bush. It may seem straightforward, but with a caone balanced over your head it's easy to miss the turnoff and continue blindlly down the road. What remains of the day is an hour-and-a-half paddle to the east end of Louisa, followed by a 2,895 m portage into Rock Lake. The portage begins to the right of a giant logjam, and, like the previous portage, makes use of a logging road. It then follows an old tote road that is now almost totallly obscured under a dark camopy of mixed harwoods."

PLEASE!! I Need you to Vote!

Earlier this morning I posted how I had changed the format of the site, so most of the information is off the main page and kept in archive. Well since then I have had MANY people email me that they dislike the new format and given that I couldn't care less which format is used I am having a vote.

If you are reading this I need you to vote by posting in the comments section if you like the New Format OR Old Format. I will keep the ballot box open until 6 PM on Friday March 23. Whichever format gets the most votes will stay and the rest will be banished to spend eternity in blogger hell.

Old Format Pro's/Con's:

Pro's-

• All info. is on the main page

Con's-

• People complain that it is to slowSome
• say it caused brower crashes

New Format Pro's/ Con's

Pro's-

• Quicker page Loading

Con's-

• The very valuable information is harder to find

Weekend Update

It always makes me laugh when I type "Weekend Update"...reminds me of when I would watch SNL as a teenager, you know, back when it was actually funny?

As I mentioned yesterday, this weekend was great. I had my Mom, Dad, Sister Jo and my niece Hayley over on Saturday. We all went to watch Jacob's hockey game, then visited, had dinner and just had, by all accounts, a great visit. Jack was on his best behavior and loved all the attention the little suck received. Sunday we went out for breakfast and spent the rest of the day around the house, with the kids playing and me cleaning. Jack was pretty good and although he did pee in the house once, his record still stands at 36 Outside VS 4 inside....not bad...I mean even I have the occasional accident when I miss the toilet. It all comes down to following a routine and we have the ground work started on a good one.

Speaking of routine, Tanyia and I always read to the kids before bed. For the past few years we have stuck to typical kid books like Dr. Seuss or Curios George. This was great for my younger boys, but Lauren my oldest is 7 and although she never said it, I could tell she was starting to get bored of these. I want our kids to look at reading as fun, so I had to find something that would be more a her level. While at the library I came across "The Bridge to Terabithia" and new that this was exactly what I needed to rekindle her interest. I started reading a chapter a night to her and she LOVES this book. For me, the fact that Lauren had been enjoying this book is very kismet, as this was one of the first books I ever read and what turned me on to reading in the first place. We are just a few chapters in and both of us look forward to the evening where we cuddle on the couch and let our imaginations take us away.

On a different note, on one of my now frequent trips to the backyard with Jack last night, I noticed some movement over at Gerry's house. Although I have not had a chance to speak with him yet, it looks like they returned from their Florida vacation. I look forward to hearing all about it.

Site Updates

I have received email and comments from people requesting that I shorten the length of the main page to just the last few posts. Most people complained that having every post load has caused their browsers to crash (...all Internet Explorer Users), while a few complained of very slow page loading.

I have considered shortening the page before, but always bee reluctant to do it, because as much as people come here for entertainment, I also use the blog as a place to store the information I have collected. If I achieved the bulk of my blog then the info would still be there, but it would be more difficult for me and others to find.

The solution? I found and added a Google "search this blog only" search engine to the side bar ( you will find it just under my Profile). It was as easy as finding the code and change a couple of the parameters to this URL. Presto! I have now shortened the main page to only show the last 50 posts...still allot I know, but much better the 400 folks.

My only problem is how to have it open the search in a new window...anyone?

Jack Videos

This weekend has been one of the best in a while, with the only exception being my Leafs inability to win when it counts.

Jack continues to be a great puppy and to date has only had a couple of "accidents" and even these were more my inability to read the warning signs. During the day he has energetic moments followed by hours of slumber and at night he just sleeps..no whining or barking.

I have attached a few pictures and some video of jack from this morning.

Sory folks...

Today has been a pretty hectic day, so this brief post will be all I can post today. I wanted to post some pics/video of Jack, but I forgot the camera at home and I doubt I would have had time anyway.

I will try to post the pics tonight...but no promises. Big game tonight for my Leafs and if they could pull off a win, it vaults them into sole possession of 7th place in the East. I will be watching that and will try to squeeze in a post.

GO LEAFS GO!! Have a great weekend folks!

UPDATE: Puppy Power, Canoes Rented and the Numbers

Last night was our first with Jack and it went rather well. He is the cutest little guy and has been quick to make himself at home. Much to our surprise he has not had any accidents...yet and has been eager to go outside to relivev himself. We were prepared for a nightmare on this front, so it is fantastic that he is already has an idea of where he should be going. We are crating him at night at although he whined and barked a bit, just like the house training, he was much better then expected in the create as well. It is hard to tell who is more enamoured by him, the kids or the adults, but I would have to say the kids at this point because they are just so happy to finally have a dog. I will post pics and video form ASAP. Until then you will just have to trust me...he is so damn cute!

I made the final arrangements for our canoe rentals with Algonquin Outfitters today.

CC 2007: For CC 2007 we will be using the same 16 foot Expedition Grade Kevlar canoe that Gerry and I used last year. It weights in at a very slender 52 pounds. We will be picking it up in Brent and then continue on to completed the CC 2007 Route. This trip will be awesome and I catch myself grinning every time I imagine the two of us paddling up to our dream site on Robinson Lake. Dude can you see it!

Rock Lake Solo: For my solo trip I have rented a 15 foot 42 lb solo canoe. This will be my first experience with the removable yoke that is used in all solo canoes. The yoke, so I discovered, has to be removable because unlike a tandom canoe, you are seated in the middle. I have arranged to pick up my canoe at the Algonquin Outfitters base (located just outside the west gate) at Oxtounge Lake at 8 am. They will strap the canoe to my car ( for $5.00...good deal?) and after a quick stop at the west gate permit office ( it opens at 8 am) I will be at Rock lake put in for no later then 9:00 am. The folks at A.O were very helpful in answering all my questions and let me know that it is just a beaufiful 40 minute drive to Rock Lake from Oxtounge Lake.

Lastly, I just wanted to post some important numbers in case I can't (...when I can't) find them later.

Friends of Algonquin Park ( Park Info) - (705) 633-5572
Algonquin Outfitters Oxtongue Lake (705) 635-2243

Dog Day is Here

I managed to get up early this morning figured I would post a quick update.

After months of waiting the day is finally here. We pick up Jack today at 4:30 and everyone is ecstatic. We do have a few things left to do before we bring home the first puppy our family has ever had. The most important is a family trip to Walmart to pickup a few toys, collar, leash and lots of carpet cleaner.

I will update as soon as possible.

Thanks to all the people who have been emailing and leaving comments....especially the goofy ones that make me laugh. Like the guy who implied my bike was stolen from him...funny stuff.

A Post Weekend Update..

This weekend was great. I decided to take an all out break from training and let some nagging pains heal. It felt wrong to not at least be doing some cardio, but since I start my Triathlon training in about 2 weeks, I figured I should rest up while I have the chance.

After Jacob's hockey game on Saturday, the kids and I drove to my parents place for dinner and a much needed visit. In the past I have been up to see them every other weekend, but with Jacobs hockey being on Saturday afternoons this winter, I haven't been going up as often, as it always feels rushed. I also wanted to see them this weekend because we will be getting our puppy on Tuesday and will not be going anywhere for a few weeks.
My parents were happy to see me and we had a great visit. It is always fun to be with my folks, but we haven't been together in a while, so there was allot to get caught up on. After dinner my dad offered me a glass of a port he made. It was a chocolate/orange flavoured port and man was it good! I am a big fan of port, but this was a whole new level of enjoyment. It has a wonderfully strong chocolate flavour and more of a hint of the orange, with a smooth, velvet-like texture. My dad has made his own wine for about 20 years and over time has become very good at it. This was the first time he had made a port and I loved it so much that I just had to have a bottle to take home. As always, my Dad was quick to offer me one and it was great to see the look of pride on his face as I discussed how good it was. For my solo trip this year, I plan to bring at least half a bottle with me to enjoy while sitting by the fire.

We watched the first period of the Leafs game and then said our goodbyes before loading up for the drive back to Newcastle. Tanyia now home from work, helped me put the kids to bed and then we watched the rest of the game courtesy of our PVR. I never talk about it here much, but I am a rabid Leafs fan and in 10 years I have only missed a handful of games. I am lucky that Tanyia shares this love of all things hockey and it is one of many things we love to do together. On this night the Leafs won in overtime when Darcy Tucker blew one past Ray Emery. Tanyia and I were screaming, exchanging high fives and jumping up and down like we had just won the lottery! I love my hockey wife!

The weather was awesome on Sunday, so I had the kids outside for most of the afternoon. I spent the day getting the house "puppy proof" and blew the dust off the old child gates stored in the basement that we will be using to keep our little Jack on the main floor of the house. I have to admit that I am a little apprehensive about bringing this little chewing machine into our "everything has it's place " home. I don't remember feeling this way about having any of our kids...well, maybe the first one I did. With everything I don't want destroyed now put in a safe place and the gate secured, the only thing left was to go over the "puppy rules" with the kids again. The main floor of the house is now referred to as "the Jack zone" and the kids really get that nothing can be on the floor in the J-Z unless you want it to be destroyed. We have been slowly teaching them the rules for months and although I expect some mistakes to be made, I feel the kids are as prepared as possible. We pick him up Tuesday afternoon and I will update with pics and video ASAP.

The weather has been spectacular for the past few days. All the sun and melting snow has me really looking forward to the quickly approaching canoe season and wondering how Gerry is doing. He is having a rough time personally and although I am still a little foggy on the cause, the last entry on his blog has an ominous tone and before he left for Florida with his family last Wednesday he dropped by the house, but still did not seem himself. I have had a feeling that something was wrong for a month or more, as we did not speak as often as usual and when we did, he seemed distracted. I am sure that some time with his family, away for the pleasure of work and home is just what he needs. When he returns I hope he is happier, because the last time I saw him, may have been the most unhappy I have ever seen him. Hope you are having a good time buddy and I look forward to seeing you when you return.

No bike = No Triathlon

As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be doing my first triathlon this August. For the last few weeks I have been searching and searching for a high end used road bike, with no luck.

Desperate, I started to call a few local cycling shops to see how much a new one would be...holy sticker sock! The cheapest one I could find new was $900! At that price it better seat 5. This really got me down, I wanted to do the Tri so badly, but there's no way I could justify that kind of money for a bike. With my training starting in just 2 weeks it was starting to look like I would have to abandon my Triathlon dream for another year.

Then I received this email that changed everything...

Jim,

I have been reading your blog for about a year and always enjoy your updates. I read how you are doing a triathlon and if you need a bike I have a great one for sale. It is a Trek 2300 SL Aluminum racing road bike size 60 cm. Bike has been kept in great condition. Loaded with Shimano 9 spd Ultegra group, Flite saddle, and Rolf wheel set. Bike retail value $4,000. Let me know if you're interested.

Jordon


I contacted him immediately and after a few emails back and forth, I was on my way to meet him. We met at a coffee shoe near Young/Eglinton and talked about biking, canoeing and exercise for a while. He was a great guy and although we were both tight for time, it was cool to talk to someone that only knows me through my blog. He asked about Tanyia and the kids by name...even asking how Jacob was doing with hockey. It was a little weird that this guy who was a total stranger to me, knew so much about my life....that's the magic of the blogging world! Soon the conversation turned to the bike and he had brought it with him. It was stunning and I agreed to by it on site and oh yeah, the price? God bless him, he only charged me $300....again, what a great guy.

I have since bought some racing pedals off of eBay ( racing bikes don't come with pedals...who knew?) and will get some cycling shoes asap. I am so happy with this bike and almost embarrassed to say how beautiful this bicycle is...but trust me, if this bike was a female she would be just crazy, drool on the floor hot.

A HUGE thanks to Jordon for seling such an incedible bike and giving me such a great deal. You're the best!

CC 2007 and Rock Lake Solo trip Booked!

It is done! I booked C.C 2007 and my solo trip today and now all that is left to do is book our canoe rentals this afternoon. Both trips suddenly feel very real and although I am excited for both, my solo trip has me feeling a bit more nervous then excited. You can checkout the details for CC 2007 in this previous post.

I decided on this route after conceding the that Crow Lake/Dickson route I had originally planned on was just to much for my first solo trip. Many of the wise folks on the Algonquin Adventures Board suggested the Rock Lake -> Pen -> Harry- Lousia-> Rock Loop, but I was still holding on to the fantasy of doing the Dickson solo.

Two things changes my mind..

1) A very wise person said to me that people go on a solo trip to "learn about themselves, not to test themselves". I am enjoy pushing myself to see how far or fast I can do things, but a solo trip is not the time. All it would take would be one misstep and I could be in serious trouble. I want a challenge, but I shouldn't compromise safety. Rock Lake will provide a good balance of adventure, challenges and safety.

2) Markus put together an amazing trip log and after reading it through, I knew this was exactly what I was looking for. You can check out his trip log HERE. It was his trip log that completely sold me on this route. The waterfalls, the sites, the lakes, the long portages...thanks Markus!

My Rock Lake Solo July 10-13, 2007:

Tuesday, July 10 - I plan to leave my home by 4:30 am and arrive at Rock Lake put in for about 8 am. I will be booking my canoe rental through Opeongo Outfitters and I have been told that they will deliver my canoe to Rock Lake for a fee. I will update once I know more. I plan to be on the water for no later then 9 am and make my way South to the last site on the East side of Pen Lake. Only one small 375 meter portage on this first day.

Wednesday, July 11 - Up early and the goal for today is to make it to Harry Lake. The Galipo River found on route to Harry, is prone to low water levels, so I will most likely have to get out and walk the shallow river for a bit. The portages on this day are 295, 1170 and 700. These will be my first tough solo portages and I plan to single cary them all, but reserve the right to bail on that plan. The site I plan to stay on is the Last site on the North side and is equipped with a huge open area, a well built fire pit, 3 benches and a big log complete with a foot bench.

Thursday, July 12 - Up early and travel from Harry to Louisa via the 32o and 1725 meter portages. Yeah more portages! Once on Louisa I hope to find one of the island sites with a western view for my last night. I have seen many wild sunset shots from this lake and look forward to the chance to capture my own.

Friday, July 13 - Up early and make my way back East to the 2895 portage that leads from Louisa back to Rock Lake. The head home!

Wonderful Weather ALERT!

If you are reading this and live in Southern Ontario STOP what you are doing and go outside! You can go now if you want...don't worry, I'll wait for you to come back.
Did you go? Just in case you didn't, it feels like spring! The sun is out, it's warm..well warm-ish, bright and the snow is melting. With the exception of the snow storm we are scheduled to get Thursday evening, this may be the last we see of the cold stuff for a while.

As far as winters go we have had a real mild one and I did miss the snow at times, but there's something about days like today that affect me. I feel happy and I like feeling this happy! As I walked outside this afternoon the weather had me thinking about the summer and all the things I look forward to doing. The weather has me humming and even singing to myself. It's amazing how just a little sunshine can have such a powerful impact on my mood. Maybe I have seasonal affective disorder or perhaps I am just a guy who like the sun, either way I feel amazing right now and hope you do to.

On a different note, I did my first "Brick training session" today. This is triathlon jargon that means bike then run. It was not as hard as thought it might be, and in 30 minutes I did 11.2 miles and then immediately ran 2 miles. The transition felt weird, as I got off the bike and started to run every muscle in my lower back was still trying to ride a bike...just felt weird. After a few minutes all the muscles figured it out and it felt normal again. It's fun to have something new in my training again. Today was just a test to see how hard it will be when I start my real 20 week training program next month, but tests can be fun too right?

Anyway, I know my posts are usually a little more structured then this, but I guess this rambling post is the product of how good I feel right now... almost euphoric in fact, so I for now I don't care. Thanks for stopping by folks!

It's freezing cold and windy...let's go run a half marathon!

Tanyia, the kids and I arrived at the Peterborough YMCA about an hour and half before the start time which gave me plenty of time to ask questions and check out the facility. The race bib pick-up, bag check and the information desks were all in the brand new YMCA building that had only been open 3 weeks! It is a stunning facility, loaded with state of the art equipment and even an Olympic sized pool....but this day was not about swimming.

My Mom, Dad, niece Hayley and "baby" sister Kate arrived about 30 minutes before the start time and we made our way over to the start line. This was a little strange. The start line was a good 10 minuted walk from the Y and I am not sure why it had to be. Not a big deal , but I would love to know why they chose that as the starting point.

As we arrived at the start line, there was about 1000 people, which is about double the number at my first run. I think that if this has been my first I would have been intimidated by the sheer numbers, but I felt a real rush of confidence as I said my goodbyes to my family and found my place in the crowd. In a race with these kind of numbers it is essential that people are able to group themselves by the pace they run, otherwise you could have people running slow at the front of the pack and slow down everyone else. To help this, they have people strategically placed in the crowd carrying signs with the time they run a half marathon. I run a half in about 1:50, so I had to weave my way through the crowd at the back until I got about half way up and found the guy holding the 1:50 sign with just a minute until the start. It was very cool to walk through the crowd, many of the people wishing me good luck as I past them to move forward, some even giving me a healthy pat on the back saying " way to go!".

As the announcer starts the countdown I do my self talk ritual "five"...OK Jim you can do this..."4" ...stick to the plan "3" ...mp3 player on.."2"...just breath and focus "1"...I am ready for anything.. "Go!!!" and I am off and running!

The first 15 kms went very smooth and I remember being surprised at how good I felt. At this point I was on pace for a personal best of 1:45. Then at about the 16 km mark the course turned into the wind and what a wind! Now running into a very strong wind, my pace slowed and many of the people I had kept pace with were now stopping to walk. I kept running, but the wind cost me allot of time and really drained my energy. With each step I was fighting back the thought of taking a bit of a walk break, this wind was killing me! But as I approached the Gatorade station my spirits lifted and as I sucked back a cup of liquid energy I regained my focus. I was now just 3 kms away.

The final 2.5 kms were tough , but with my renewed focus I ignored the pain and pushed on. As I approached the finish line with only 400 meters to go this Scottish Man in the crowd jumped out at me and yelled " Give it your all...PUMP...PUMP...PUMP !" and man did it work. I found renewed speed as I went from a run to an all out sprint. I crossed the finish line and Tanyia rushed to greet me. As I saw her I was overcome with emotion and kissed her with tears on my eyes. My Dad has often asked me why I do these runs and I would always respond "for the challenge" or "to see if I can", but as I stood holding my wife in a crowd of thousands, with tears rolling down my face..I knew the real answer. For anyone thinking about running for the first time, it is an experience like no other. It is the cleanest high you can experience...hard to even describe.

I had a great day all around! My final time was 1:55, not my best, but I don't care that much. I am just happy my family was there with me for the race and always.

Countdown to Marathon...my last?

Just 16 over hours from now I will have finished my second half marathon. Unlike my first one last September, I feel as prepared for this run as I could possibly be. I woke up early this morning and got all my gear ready and all of my training is over, so all I have to do now is kick back and relax until tomorrow....or at least try. I don't usually sleep very well the night before a race, but I hope that being this prepared will ease the constant worry of forgetting some key piece of gear or sleeping in.

But as I mentioned in the title of the post, this will likely be my last marathon. In running I have accomplished everything I wanted to and need a new challenge. On that note, I am proud to announce that this fall I will be competing in my first Triathlon. I have entered the Subaru Sprint Triathlon Series in Orillia and it will be on Sunday August 19, 2007. This is an event I have always dreamed of doing and I can hardly wait to start training. This is a sprint triathlon which is one level above the entry level "Try a Triathlon" level.

Here are the distances for my Sprint Triathlon:

1. Swim 750 meters ( This will be tough, but not my biggest challenge)
2. Bike 35 Kilometers (This is where I will have to do the most work...I hate the bike)
3. Run 7.5 Kilometers ( I could do this with my eyes shut)

It is getting late, so I should get to bed. Wish me luck and I will update with results.....Man I am so pumped I know I won't be able to sleep, but I should try...good night all!

Welcoming the members of AlgonquinAdventures.com

I wanted to welcome the members of algonquinadventures.com to the blog. The owner of the site Barry Bridgeford was kind enough to post my blog on the main news site for AA and the traffic this has created for my blog has been simply astounding. I have a real passion for all things Algonquin and it is amazing to go to a place where everyone are just as passionate...maybe even more? The members of the algonquin adventures forum are some of the friendliest and knowledgeable people you will find. For anyone who is searching for the ultimate Algonquin community...look no further then the AA forum.

Anyway, just wanted welcome all of you that have come to check out my blog and thank you for creating the ultimate online community.

My first solo Canoe Trip!

After thinking about it for a while, I have decided to go on a solo trip. I have penciled it in for early July and it will be 4 days, 3 nights. This will be the first time I have been to Algonquin without Gerry and to be honest, I am feeling a bit guilty about going without him. You see it was Gerry that introduced me to Algonquin and we have learned everything to this point together, so it just feels wrong for him not to be involved. I did ask him if he would be interested and he was, but he only has so much vacation, so he is unable to go. It will be so weird to be there without him, but the experience I gain here should help us both on CC 2007.

Now I have posted a map of a route I may take, but as many of the guys on Algonquin Adventures have noted, this may be to much for my first solo...so I may just stay on Big Crow. The idea of doing the huge Dickson Portage solo is very appealing to me...hmm, still need to consider it , but at this point I am leaning towards staying on Big Crow.

For my first solo I wanted to go somewhere very cool and from what I have read Big Crow Lake fits the bill. There's so much to see on this lake...like the fire tower, the old stand of while pines, the view, the ranger cabin, the spring and lots of other cool features. I will be using the water Taxi to get to the start and again at the finish to avoid having to paddle the Op.

"Stop thinking about boy George..."

OK...this is way out of the realm of Canoe Trips, but I need to tell this to someone before I burst!

A female client just came in to see me and I swear she looked just like Boy George. She was wearing the trademark hat, hair in braids, sunglasses and a black cape...I am not kidding here folks...a frigg'n cape! This woman we be in her early 40's and dressed like a confused superhero. She was here to discuss some serious problems she is experiencing, but in my head I just keep thinking "....my god, it's Boy frigg'n George". I feel like a real bastard, but I just couldn't help it. Every time I gained control over my thoughts I would look at her and hear " ...do you really want to hurt me...do you really want to make me cry..." and suddenly I am fighting back laughter again. I have to say it again that I feel bad, 'cause she seemed like a nice lady....but she was wearing a cape people!

Unless Wham and the village people show up this afternoon this is all for now...A CAPE!!!

Low Maintenance Portage Route on CC 2007!

As I mentioned in our UPDATED PLAN for CapsizedCanoe 2007, we are venturing into some uncharted territory for us on this years trip.... Algonquins infamous "Low Mainantance Portage Trails". For Gerry and I, the lure of these relatively unused trails speak for themselves. They represent a new challenge and that feeling of adventure that will be somewhat absent as we retrace many of our steps from CC 2006. Below is a response to a question I posed about the Low Maint Routes we will be taking this year.

"I went in to North Cuckoo, Macoun and Plumb coming from the Petawawa . Sounds like you would be coming from the other direction (Robinson Lake). Macoun gets very liitle use. The campsite is quite small and had not been used for about 2 seasons when I stayed there. There was a large site around the point from Macoun on Plumb Lake that looked like it had regular visitors each fishing season. It had tables etc all made up. The portage from Macoun to North Cuckoo is tricky. Its an old road for about 1000 meters. when you come off Macoun just remember to always stay left on the road. There is a fork in the road part way down. Stay to your left. The remainder of the portage to North Cuckoo turns off the old road on the right side of the road. It was poorly marked when I used it. Portage signs were ripped down and the trail off the road is not easy to see. Part way through the bush to North Cuckoo you come to an area where there is a small creek. Very difficult to identify the trail at this point for about 100 meters. You may need to wander a bit at this point to pick up the trail again so take a good bearing before doing so. The good news is that the portage from Macoun to North Cuckoo is downhill all the way to the Petawawa.
Since you are going to be in that area I would recommend that you try Lynx and Luckless lakes as well. There is a very nice site on Luckless and the portage from Luckless to the Nippising, is long but easy. Mostly flat road and downhill."

The goal for 2007 is to build on the practical experience from '06. While it was a great trip, I want a second chance to prove to myself that I can finish strong on any of the portages that kicked my ass on the first attempt. The one that really stands out was the 2345 M form the Petawawa R. -> Narrowbag L. This was my first portage and as I set out I remember saying to Gerry " I am going to crush this...". Well, the only thing that was crushed was my spirit as I was forced to hand off to Gerry about 1/3 of the way in. By the time we got to the half way mark at "Unicorn Hill" I was feeling pretty deflated. In retrospect, I really had no idea how hard a single carry with a 60lb pack and a 50 lb canoe would be....well now I do! By the time we tackle it again, it will be a year of thinking about how hard it was, so my hope is that I will now be overestimating how difficult it is. Ah...it's a theory anyway...

Below is a quote from Scott Smith's Trip Log and it describes the portage to a "T"...

"If you consult the Canoe Routes Map, the 2,345 meter portage doesn’t look all that intimidating. But I can assure you, it is very unforgiving .. even for the experienced Voyageur. This is definitely one of the most challenging portages I’ve ever done in Algonquin. On this carry, you climb most of the 80 meters difference in elevation between Cedar and Catfish. It’s an uphill grind all the way and it really takes a toll on you physically and psychologically. With light packs and determination, it can easily be done in a single carry. At the hilltop, you pass by a canoe rest on your right that has a sign that reads “Unicorn Hill”. I’ve always wondered what the significance of the name is and hopefully one day I’ll discover its meaning."

This year Unicorn Hill....this will be the year I crush you!

TGIF!

This week has been a pretty shitty one by most accounts, so I am happy it is mercifully over.

I was unable to go for my long run earlier this week due to the pneumonia, but I will be completing it this afternoon. This will be the last time I run over 20 kms before my half marathon next weekend, so I am both excited and anxious. This run will be all about fun, so I am not concerned with time at all! To add to the fun I plan to bring my digi cam with me for the run and do a little " This is what it's like to run with Jim " video. I will let you know if it happens, 'cause I still have not figured out where to keep the camera. Uwww...lol

...check out this video of how NOT to run rapids...

Great Wolf Lodge Compilation

A few weeks ago Tanyia, the kids and I took a 3 day mini-vacation to Great Wolf Lodge, in Niagara Falls. I shot allot of video while there using my new digital camera and this is my attempt at editing...so be kind!

The camera is an Olympus Stylus 720 SW and as you will see in the video, it is completely water proof! A few times I caught the looks of horror on the faces of some of the other dad's as I went under water with the camera...funny stuff! This camera will be very cool on our trip this year as well.

So turn on your speakers and enjoy...

Puppy Update!

Despite my feeling less then 100% yesterday, we went to visit the puppy we will be bringing home in 3 short weeks. This was the first time we had seen him in person and I shot some video of our little "Jack"(attached below). He is 5 weeks old and saying he's cute hardly covers it!

We picked up a toy for each of the kids to give him and they were excited to see how much the little guy enjoyed playing with them. All three of the kids were excited, but it was Ethan (the real dog lover) who was enamored by Jack the most and every moment he spent petting him he had this huge smile on his face.

Must not...get sick....not now....please god!

It seems Karma bit me in the ass on Friday, when I was boasting to a client about never getting sick. About 24 hours later I developed a rough throat, that over the next few day was followed by a cough, fever and generally feeling very unwell. But to this point I figured it would pass, until I woke-up Tuesday morning with a gurgle in my chest and a productive (phlegm) cough, the perfect environment for pneumonia. This was the point where my laze fair "it will pass" attitude turned into "...holy shit this could screw me for my marathon". A bit panicked that my immune system (normally an impregnable suit of armour) had failed me, I went to the clinic.

Like most people, I only go to the clinic when I absolutely have no other choice. I expect a long wait and despite being impatient at the best of times, I really don't fret about the wait time. But as a nurse, the part I dread is sitting in deaths waiting room with all the other coughing, sneezing, vomiting disease ridden people. It's like being forced to pull up a chair inside a diseased gas chamber and I am always tempted to wait outside, but I reluctantly take my seat. In the clinic all the bugs and virus's combined to form this concentrated cocktail that could compromises even the strongest of immunities. With my virus shields already at half power to begin with I have the feeling I will be leaving here with more then just a prescription.

Anyway, I was eventually seen by the Doctor in only 1 hour, 15 minutes...a new record. I was diagnosed with either a URI (Upper Respiratory Infection AKA, Pneumonia) OR Influenza. WTF? I grilled the doctor for a bit and eventually she conceded to give me the meds to treat both and after even more coaxing she agreed to me treating the Pneumonia first with anti-biotics, then the influenza med as a last resort. I really pushed her on the idea to try anti-biotic treatment for pneumonia first, mostly because I don't want to take the Tamiflu (a harsh anti-viral med riddled with side effects) unless I have to.

Well after 1 day taking the anti-biotic I am pleased to tell you that I am now fever free and my coughing has been reduced by half...in other words, I am getting better fast! I have also been taking Cold FX and it seems to have helped with my cold symptoms.

Man...what a relief! Fortunately, my training was hardly interrupted and if anything, having a couple of days off has helped heal some minor aches. With just 10 days until the race it is now full steam ahead and (fingers crossed) healthy!

Canoe Trip in New Zealand

Stumbled across this great video put together by a group of six Kiwi's that built their own canoes then paddled for 60 days. Incredible pictures and great editing make it very special...check it out!

Yoga and Running Update:

Wednesday night I went to my first group yoga class. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous about going, mostly because the gym is a place I normally feel at home, so these feelings made it even more strange. The classes are taught in the same gym where I do much of my cardio and weight training. As I stood in the weight area outside the studio not so patiently waiting for the doors to open, I noticed more then a few confused looks from a few of my "gym friends". I just smiled and tried to ignore their expressions of "...what are you doing?". The teacher showed up and ushered us in. I grabbed a mat, removed my shoes and before long, I was doing it!

The class was an hour, but it really did seem to fly by. Lots of good stuff...here are the highlights:

• The instructor commented that I was "remarkably flexible for a beginner"

• The female instructor seemed to be a real "touchy feeley" person and surprised me a few times when she "corrected my poses" by grabbing my but! At the time I thought little of it, but I think she was just taking the opportunity to grab my bum....and I kinda liked it :)

• Amusing thing...we were doing this pose where you put your feet up the wall. The instructor says to me "...when we walk around upright all day the blood in our legs is trapped there...this allows all that stale blood to be returned to the body". LMAO! Yeah...if that were true I would have two rotting dead stumps for legs! Instructor: Great at teaching yoga, but not so good with her Anatomy and physiology.

I really enjoyed the class and found the instruction to be very helpful. I will be going every Wednesday from now on and will continue on my own 2 additional days a week.

Also, my "Yoga for Dummies" DVD came yesterday and I am looking forward to using it to help master the common poses. If anyone wants a free copy just shoot me and email: jim"at"capsizedcanoe.ca

Yesterday I went for my last long hard run before my race and man was it cold! If felt so much colder then what was posted. Much of the run was with that feezing cold wind in my face and I am sure this is why it felt so much worse then it was. Despite the frigid temps, I pulled off my half-marathon distance in 1 Hour, 54 minutes and better yet, I was holding back for the first 12 kms! My race pace is 5 minute kms ( +/- 30 seconds), so if all goes well I could break my summer time of 1 hour 50 minutes! The race is 2 weeks form this Sunday and unlike my first half-Marathon, I feel so ready for this one.

Blog Updates:

Just a few changes.

1)Updated the Gear List and it can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

2) Changed my profile picture. This was a self-take I did about 2 minutes ago. At least you can see my face in this one...

That's all for now!

Why does nature want to kill me?

I love the outdoors and despite having a severe allergy to bees, I don't think much about what could happen. The way I have always looked at is I live minutes from a hospital and always (the truth is sometimes...) carry my epinephrine needles with me. That said, if I am stung I will only be aware of my circumstances for a couple of minutes and then my life becomes someone else's responsibility. My friends and family are painfully aware of this and have instructed on what to do. I had always been comfortable with this arrangement, until Gerry and I started doing interior camping trips....this has changed everything.

Last year we had a safe trip in that regard, but in retrospect, I am no longer comfortable burdening Gerry with this. If I did have a reaction while in the middle of the park, it would be Gerry that would be forced to leave me behind and paddle/portage 8-12 hours for help. It just never struck me how bad that could have turned out...what if I ran out of epinephrine and died? Not Gerry would blame himself....no something had to be done before our trip this August.So today I set the "allergy-less" wheels in motion.

I contacted my Doctor and he has refereed me to an allergist that will begin the process of ridding me of my bee allergy for good! It is called being desensitized to the venom. An allergist can administer increasing doses of bee venom over the course of several weeks until the body develops immunity and can tolerate a large dose of the venom. In one study published in 2000 in Clinical Therapy, this immunotherapy regimen was shown to be effective in up to 79 percent of people.

I am waiting 4 weeks to start the process, as I have my marathon in 2 weeks and don't want to do anything to screw that up. If all goes well, I will be allergy free before spring!

Take that mother nature..you B**ch!

Must Read Book: K.I.S.S Guide to Yoga

What a find at the library yesterday. If you want a liberal arts education in yoga, this is the book for you!

It gives a brief overview of just about everything related to yoga from the different styles of yoga to meditation, health tips, and even eating. For the person who knows nothing about yoga or the person who has practiced yoga without learning the background, this book fills the knowledge gap.

In short, this was exactly the book I needed and I can't recommend it enough!

Memories from the produce aisle

For some reason the task of doing the grocery shopping for our home has always been my job. It has its advantages...like buying things I like to eat ( ...like those pricey Soy rice cakes) and avoiding things I don't (fish cakes..yuk!). Since I do most of the cooking, I guess it makes sense that I am the one collecting the ingredients. I really do enjoy going and I have developed a system that to make the "Grocery Store Experience" a more pleasant one.

No kids is essential- add kids to the equation and a quick in and out to grab some milk is easily turned into a 20 minute "dad can we get this...." battle of wills.
Know your store- If I need a bunch of things and time is a factor, I avoid going to a store I am unfamiliar with. The additional time spent searching shelves for that "imported jar of curry paste" in the new store is a total waste of time.
Have a Plan- I have a grocery list that includes the names of the foods we commonly buy and have organized them into the corresponding isles in my grocery store. Example: In my store the Fruits and veggies are in the first isle, so they are first followed by the other sections I pass as I weave my way through the aisles...may seem a bit nuts, but it eliminates having to back track.
Meal Planning- I always grocery shop based on what meals I am planning, otherwise I am just buying a bunch of stuff that may not equal a meal.

Enough of that stuff though, this was not what this post was even about. What can I say, I am easily distracted. Anywho, back to the real topic of the post...

Yesterday as I was grocery shopping... (incidentally, with no kids, at my store, a list in hand and Chicken Cesar Salad with wild rice on the menue) ...a song came on the radio and it immediately brought me back to a very vivid memory from last years trip.
It starts just moments after piling into Gerry's Jetta, as we began winding our way up the bumpy gravel road that heads out of Brent. As both of us sit silently brimming with the pride of completing our first canoe trip, Gerry switches on the radio. The song "Crusin" by Huey Lewis and Gweneth Paltrow starts to play and although never a fan, for me this song perfectly preserved this moment in time and all the emotion attached to it.

Back at the grocery store...as I listen to the song, I am flooded with details that until then were unavailable memories. Like the way the sun cut through the thick web of trees, at times almost blinking Morse Code. Or the smell of the freshly cut trees....or the sound of the air as it passed by my arm. But most of all, I remembered how good it was to know that I was going home to see my family.

I have attached a the song below. It makes me feel really good just hearing it, so if nothing else, now I know where to look if I need a reminder of happier days.

Free Satalite Radio...kinda?

This may be a sign that I am getting old, but I have a hard time convincing myself that it is OK to pay for radio. As it stands now, I am not a subscriber, but learned to appreciate the service while Gerry and I drove to Brent last year. Gerry has subscribed to Sirius Satellite Radio for a couple of years, but this was the first time I had been exposed to it for any meaningful amount of time. Besides a very funny guy named "Bubba the Love Sponge", there is also station I really liked called "Alt Nation". It is a great mix of old and new alternative music, but it was something else that was the home run for me....if I liked a song, I could look at the screen and see the name of the band/title. At my age, this is necessary 'cause I can't recognize bands anymore, but I still know what I like.

But still, I can't come to grips with the monthly fee...so I came up with an Alternative, Jim Satellite Radio...OK, not really but this is a free "alternative" to Sirius (pardon the pun).

I go to Sirius Satellites countdown chart for Alt Nation and copy and past the song titles into Microsoft Word so I can....ahhh.... go buy them...yeah that's it....buy them!(insert grin here) Then before you can say piracy, I have them on my mp3 and I am off and running. This way I can check out a song and find out if I like it. If I do I keep it, if not nothing lost. This is a perfect solution for those days that I want to hear something different, but don't know where to look. They have lots of channels, so if Alt Nation isn't your thing, find a channel that is.

Another great option is Pandora "the musical genome project". (...Gerry introduced this to me). This allows you to put in the name of a song or artist and it play music that are similar in tempo, music etc. I have found some great music using this...give it a try.

Various Updates:

The past week has been so busy that it has even been difficult to find the time to post, so I apologize for the lack of updates...but I have a great excuse!

Last week we went on a mini family vacation to Great Wolf Lodge and I had planned on using some of the nightly down time to do some updates. But just as I was loading my laptop into the van on the morning we were leaving , Tanyia spotted my computer and gave me that look of death that screamed "don't even think of bringing that" and fearing for my life, I didn't. Tanyia is a very easy going girl, but don't be fooled by this. She's as tough as nails, so unless there's something I feel I have to go to war over...when she says "no", I listen.

UPDATES:

1) YOGA - I continue to practice yoga 3 times/week, but I don't feel as though I am doing all the positions right. I have ordered the "Beginners yoga for Dummies" DVD after reading some great reviews and believe this may be just what I need to learn the correct movements. I am also very interested in the spiritual side of yoga and want to find balance between that and the physical portion. My hope is to have enough experience under my belt by the time we go on CC 2007 that I can do it each morning when we are on Robinson Lake. This lookout I am standing on in the attached picture (taken last year) would be the perfect place and I have envisioned this as being a truly magnificent setting to find my "spiritual happy place". I have also stumbled onto a great yoga workout series on TV called Namaste and with the help of my PVR, I plan to collect all of the episodes. My gym (Goodlife), also offer group classes and although I am still reluctant to make an ass of myself in public, a friend has convinced me to go with her this Wednesday. To the guys that have jokingly poked fun at me, for the last time ...this is not Gay! Gay is not doing something 'cause I am afraid what "they" might say....I am done with that stuff.

2) Gerry's Basement - It might seem a little weird that I am reporting on my buddies basement, but I just have to get this said. Saturday night I went over to drop off some things for Marie, to say hey to Suds and to check out the progress he has made on finishing his basement. I was blown away and although I hope it didn't show at the time, I am so jealous! It looks great, but more impressive was that he had done it all himself. I have allot of respect for a man that can use his hands, as I have limited skills in that regard, but desperately want to learn and hope that Gerry "Bob Villa" Suthers, will show me the way of the nail gun. Congratulations Gerry! That is one top notch basement!

3) Gear Updates- I ordered the Amigo, our new gravity fed water filter today and was happy to find out that it had just been re-designed for 2007. It now has reinforced elastic draw strings to make hanging easy. As I said in an earlier post, this water filter will be much easier and will allow make filtering water less of a chore.
It was one year ago on Sunday that Gerry and I went to MEC for the first time to get our gear for CC 2006. In the spirit of that trip, I placed an order with MEC this morning. I bought the short version of the RidgeRest sleeping pad and 3 Cactus Creek Stuff Sacks. The Ridge rest will be used with the self-inflating thermarest I already own in hopes of giving my hips and shoulders just a bit more padding. Last year both were sore and it meant waking up every hour to turn over. The stuff sacks are 3 different colours and will be used to separate food. Instead of digging around in the food bag for that elusive last flakie, we will be separating food into 3 different bags: Breakfast/Snacks, Lunch and Dinner. This way we will only have to look through a quarter of the food!

4) New Links Section - I have added a new "Blogs I like to Read" Section to my sidebar. Feel free to check them out.