Rock Field

Headed out this morning to a rocky farmer's field near Verner with Eric Crowther.  Eric takes infrared photography and he invited me to tag along.  I brought my point and shoot for fun.

The rocky field we were heading to provided the sharpe contrast needed for infrared.  Eric had a specific tree in mind, however the recent heavy rain has caused some flood warnings in the area and a creek which is normally crossable was a barrier.  We settled for photos on the save side of the creek.

It's not easy being a farmer in Verner!  This gently sloping terrain was surrounded by relatively flat farmland.

The target tree for the infrared shoot was located across a creek which was out of reach due to fast flowing water.

 

This road has been washed out due to flooding.

Infrared Photograph Sample

Anticipation

I'm looking forward to season 3 with the boat.

There are always things to do on a boat but if you approach things with the right frame of mind everything becomes part of the experience.

Enjoying my first beer of the season was on my "to do" list.

These three instruments need repair so I took this photo so I could look back and remember how they get re-connected.  The screens malfunction.  I have found two separate videos on youtube showing how to fix them--so I'm working on it (by that I mean I've asked my friend Wade to do it).

Great to find the boat dry and clean following winter storage.  The frame and cover kept everything out, allowed the snow to shed during the winter and allows me to have a warm bright place to escape to.

Lots to do before the launch--should be fun.

Last Snowshoe Hike

The weather has been beautiful and the snow conditions rapidly deteriorating for snowshoeing but great for gardening.   With those conditions in mind I called up Steve Glass and together we hiked along the ravine where the Duschesnay flows into Lake Nipissing.

This is one of my favourite, quick-to-get-to hikes.  It is in the city limits and once you get your shoes on the beautiful scenary is only 20 metres away.

Normally on this hike I like to head north along the western shore and cross the frozen beaver dam, but the mild  weather made this too risky.  The water was flowing fast and crossing the dam would have meant risking a plunge into the still icy water.

On the deep water side of the dam, where I had once broken through while on an hike with my son John, I noticed an open hole--and a slide.  Seems a beaver was climbing out and sliding back down--for fun.

It's always great to get outside.

Lac Desert 2nd Annual

After a great start to the March break by spending time in Toronto with the family, I headed to the wilderness for the second part of the week.  From March 14 - 17 I joined brothers Kelly, Bradley, and Dennis, along with cousins Bob and John Milling on Lac Desert for our second annual ice-fishing trip.

Kelly picked me up at 6:00 am.  A little early for me, but you can't dampen the Captain's enthusiasm.  This picture was taken when we arrived around 1:30 pm.

The journey started in the dark.

Our first stop was the Valois Restaurant in Mattawa for breakfast.

I couldn't resist taking a snapshot of this armoured Tracker in Mattawa.

The morning sum beeming in while the coffee is brewing.

Bradle--his arms wide.

Bobby enjoying his creation  along the shore of Lac Helen.  This trip took place on the second day.  We decided to try Lac Helen again but at the southern end.  Bob felled some dead wood and we had a great fire and shore lunch.

Homies on the ice.  Dennis, Kelly, and Bob.

Bob, his brother John and enjoying the warm sun.

The beauty of Look Lodge allows everyone to relax in comfort and enjoy great meals.

 

The trip to Lac Helen was scenic and a terrific sled ride.  Just before Lac Helen there was this small open stream that we had to cross.  We managed.

Above and to the west of Lac Helen, Bob, Kelly and I checked out the logging trails.  At one high point you could see for miles and miles.

Bobby does the shore lunch.  Fresh pike and home made beans.

Solo on the planet Hoth.

On the second day we headed to Lac Helen for ice-fishing and a shore lunch.  The day was sunny and crisp.  Throughout the day snow squalls passed through.  Beautiful.

Bob du Lac.

A skidder created trails for us above Lac Helen.  The logging seems to be done in a responsible manner.  No clear cutting, plenty of trees remaining in the area for re-seeding.

The view from Loon Lodge.

Kelly and Bob head out to Lac Helen towing a boat for summer fishing expeditions.

The not-quite-right group photo.  Batteries died and no second shot available.

A great trip.

Raptors vs Cavaliers

While on the March break, John and I took in a Raptors' game, Toronto vs Cleveland--our first NBA game.  Toronto won the game 100 - 96, but it was a nail-biter of a game.  Cleveland pretty much dominated the first half taking a 15 point lead at one point.  Toronto came back in the 3rd and 4th to tie it up and eventually take the lead.

It was cool to be at the game.  Basketball is a great sport to see live.  I enjoyed it all--even the time-outs.  Interesting to watch the coaching staff huddle up, discuss then talk with the players. 

We traveled to Toronto on Saturday with Sharon and Erin.  The idea being shopping for the girls and guy-stuff for John and I.  Fun for everyone.  We stayed at the Bond Place which is a perfect location for accessing downtown Toronto. 

Lots to see.

No trees.

Learning from Sailing

This season--season 2, we put our boat down in Callandar Bay.  Last year we were at the North Bay marina and had a great summer of sailing, swimming, and just having fun with the boat.  The main attraction in Callandar is the chance to race.

A: North Bay Marina,  B: Home,  C: Callandar Bay

Ah the race.

A Calm Race.

A stormy Race.

What a difference.  It is a humbling experience.  A good experience.  As a teacher I can't help reflect on how some students must feel when they are at the beginning of a new semester or class and haven't quite figured out how things work, where they fit in, or what's going to happen next.

I'm excited about the whole experience.

Learning--with a smile.

The Launch

This post stretches over the last few weeks.  It really is made up of several events all to do with launching our sailboat for season 2.  The boat was in the water ready to go for season 1--so this season we had to do everything.

The story starts at the end of last fall.  The boat is hauled out of the water by a crane and transported to a field in Redbridge for storage.  Brian Stepaniak played a key role in making sure my first sailboat ownership experience was a good one.  He reassured me when my first instinct was to sell 24 hours after buying the boat. Brian is one of those guys who can fix anything.  He's generous with his talent and his time.  I was glad that we were keeping the boat at his place.

He constructed  a storage shelter for the boat and kept an eye on it during the winter months.  After the long winter, the shelter was removed and I found the boat in near perfect shape.  I owe Brian.

Getting the boat inspected prior to launch got me involved with Stuart Murray.  More than a few people at the North Bay Yacht Club recommended Stu.  I called him on a Saturday night and he was inspecting the boat the next day.  I had a few concerns.  He looked things over and reassured me that the minor repairs were just that--minor.  What impressed me about Stu was how he went about doing his business.  He climbed into a locker that normally holds an anchor and a small box.  I said "Whoa, where you going."  Before I could stop him he was down into this small space.  He stayed there for about 15 minutes.  Checking things out.  He looked at my problem from literally a new perspective.  He earned my trust.  He's done a beautiful job on my boat.

Hauling the boat to Callendar was a potential night mare.  I have a highway trailer, but I was reluctant to get someone to tow it.  The boat weighs about 6100 lbs and the trailer is probably another 2500.  Brian suggested a tow truck--turned out to be a super idea.  The boat was down to Callendar  in 40 minutes.  Perfect.

The next phase involved putting the boat in the water.  About 30 club members with assigned duties were on hand to lift and kerplunk about 30 boats into the harbour.  Everything was super organized.  Hard hats and safety vests for everyone.  Two cranes did the lifting, three trucks with trailers did the shuttle from the parking lot to the point.  Smooth.

Mast raising.  I didn't get back down to the marina until the next weekend.  A flooded basement got in the way along with work and life in general.  However, on the long weekend I was able--with the help of Steve Glass and a few club members to get the mast up and the boat back to its slip.

The final phase of the outfitting took place over the last few days as we moved in gear, and rigged the sails.  Sharon and I put on the main last night around 8 pm just as the thunder storm hit.  Boat looks good--read to rock and roll.

Tonight is the first sailboat race--looking forward to the short trap race on Callendar Bay.