In Search of the Northern Lights

According to the experts this week the Northern Lights are supposed to be spectacular.  With this in mind, John and I headed up the north highway to escape the city lights and see what we could see.

Not much.

We were lucky in that it was a clear night and the starry sky was easy to view.

I tried capturing the view with my handy camera with limited success.

Did I say limited?

We had fun--and that is the main thing.

Photographic Exercise

Just off of Sunset Point there is a collection of ice shacks and sign posts pointing to cold destinations.  Enthusiastic sledders drive their trailer-towing trucks onto the ice for a convenient unload.  I couldn't resist the path and ventured out in my MPV.  Things looked good.  Multiple vehicles had packed the snow and the sense of safety was reassured by the view of vehicles out in the distance.  About 100 metres from the ice parking lot, there is a collection of sign posts.  I headed in that direction for a "beautiful shot."  As I approached the sign, the snow pack crumbled beneath my tires and I sunk about 5 inches.  Enough of a plunge to halt my progress.  I was able to rock the van back and forth and then gun'er in reverse to re-trace my path to safety.

I still wanted the shot so I walked back up to the sign to view my tread tracks and placed my camera in the tread for a shot.  The photo looks like two guys walking along a major snow ditch, but actually the guys are about 200 metres from the camera and the trench is really only about 4 inches deep.

The un-zoomed photo is below.

Wasi Trails

Eric was host at the Wasi Trails this weekend so I dropped in with coffee.  When his duty was over we hiked around the trails for about an hour.  An easy hike.  Scenic. 

The groomer creates a near perfect groove for skis.

On the Moose Trail at the east end of the small lake.  A future trip to the warming hut about 1.5 hours up the trail is planned.

Historic Ski Jump

Just east of the current Laurentian Ski Club, a set of snow shoe trails snakes their way east then north to the pipeline, completing the loop back to the chalet.  The hike was only about 40 minutes with Chris Beatty leading the way.

It was a clear night with a full moon.  Perfect for hiking through the forest without the aid of headlamps.  This was an easy relaxing walk.

About half way through the hike we came across the foundation from the old ski jump that was built sometime in the 30's.  It seems that ski jumping, has been part of North Bay's winter activities for decades.

The cement footings for the ski jump can still be found buried in the snow just off the trail.

Quiet Forest at Eau Claire

A brief but welcome mild spell was just the incentive I needed to head out to Eau Claire Gorge.  In 30 minutes I was into a beautiful dead-quiet forest.

This tiny spider was only about 3 mm long, but he stood out on the snow.  I wonder about his body chemistry.  How does he generate energy?  What does he eat?  Where does he go at -30?

I was the only hiker on the trail.  I enjoyed moving at my own pace and leaving footsteps behind.  It was peaceful but occasionally falling snow would register in my peripheral vision and I would catch the final death throes of a snow clump,  it's muffled sound startling me.

This place is fun in all four seasons, but I think my favourite season for a hike to Eau Claire Gorge is the winter.

Back to Ottawa

This weekend I drove Kate, Erin, and her friend Stephanie back to Ottawa U.  John and I drove them down and we spent the night at my brother's home.  It was great to see Dennis, Sherri, Ella, Mia, and Smooth.  Smooch wiped his ass on my foot.  He's beautiful.

The weather on the drive down was sunny and cold.  Lots of beautiful scenery and very little traffic.

On the drive home we stopped in Deep River for lunch.  My brother Dennis recommended that we stop at the Rocky River Cafe for lunch.  We did.  Delicious.

 While driving through Mattawa I snapped this photo along the water front.

A great trip.  Simple.  Relaxing.

Good Grief

Bernie Zweermand and Patty Ann Dennis are two of my mentors.  I was lucky to start my teaching career with them at Regina Pacis Catholic Secondary School in Toronto.  They remain an important force in my life.

Bernie is a fisherman.  He loves it so much that if you stop in at Bass Pro in Vaughn, you will find him in the fishing department.  Working.  He comes up to Promised Land Camp each year to go ice-fishing.  His guests included Mike and Jason, who also work at Bass Pro.

Bernie invited Patty Ann and I to dinner.  A wonderful meal and great conversation.

Princess of the Wild Flowers

It was a stormy Saturday morning when my daughter Erin and I decided on a hike out to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.  The park was closed, but the Canadian Ecology Centre encourages people to use their parking lot and come out and enjoy the winter wonderland in and around the park.

 The black and white contrast was beautiful.

A fun hike.