Am I old yet???

Nope...I don't think so. Fifty seems to be a mile stone in a person's life. A lot of years have flowed by. The saying "over the hill" comes to mind but as I look at it, I am standing on top of the hill. Looking back it's been a climb for sure. A path no one can ever return to yet it's a time to savor what you brought up the hill with you. I'm not talking monetary, but of love, children, friends, experience, health, understanding, and peace of soul. What ever you arrive at the top of the hill with, is what will direct your path on the way down.
Looking out from the top I see nothing but opportunity. So much yet to explore and do and see. The sun is shining brightly thru the rainbow left by the storm.
Where do I see myself when I'm sixty? I see myself with pure white hair sitting in an art fair on the North Shore selling my favorite nature photos. I have always sought out new things to learn. I plan to learn how to fly small airplanes. I'm looking forward to getting more experienced in kayaking. Maybe trying kiting. Getting my surf on. Finding time to get back into doing pottery and other art. Panning for gold in Colorado. Finding that diamond in Arkansaw. Maybe do some writing. Travel...alot! From Alaska to Maine and down to Mexico and beyond. Including Hawaii and Down Under.
Fifty is going to be alright!

Birthday Verm Paddle

My birthday present came on the wind this week. The total rain fall for this storm was just under an inch and enough to push the Vermilion up enough to paddle. The temperature was a balmy 21 degrees. Can you "Spot" the ice sickles? Brian, Bryan, Caleb, Dennis, and Spot came down to paddle the Verm with me today to help celebrate my 50th birthday. My actual birthday is Thursday but we had to catch the water when it flows. Everthing was in enough to have some decent play. We just had to watch for ice forming on our gear. (Iced paddles are a bummer) We spent an hour and a half paddling and when we got out had to chip and pry our way out of our frozen gear. Carolyn joined us in the parking lot and we all chugged a brewski and then headed for the Green Mill. Thanks everyone! I had a great time! Good friends, good river and turtle cheesecake! Anyone want to paddle tomorrow? (not kidding...I'll be down there sometime...can't waste water ya know) Thursday morning update...way below zero windchills this morning...think I'll wax my skis instead of paddling. It was sweet while it lasted.

The Verm

This photo of the Vermilion doesn't do it justice. I seal launched at the put in and just before paddling out I looked down river from me. There was a fog settled into the river bottom which gave the Verm a mystic feeling. Soft and beautiful. It felt so good to be back on the Verm after months of no water.

Donut today.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Kinnikinic River

Seven of us ran the Kinnikinic River in River Falls today. Always a beautiful paddle any time of the year. Spot and Caleb tore up the good stern squirt spots...brrrrrr!

Power Yoga!

With no moisture forcast for the next 10 days I'm glad I renewed my membership at the YMCA. I tried the Power Yoga class tonight. This being my first Yoga class I didn't know quite what to expect but it was great! Alot of the stretches were the same as in Karate so I had an advantage there. It felt great and for an alternative workout to paddling...it works. This week I was off work due to being sick. As it turned out my blood pressure went thru the roof. So much that the clinic wanted me front and center within 2 hours of my calling. I really feel it's due to lack of paddling. Anyway I need to increase the workouts and find more ways of paddling. Time to slap the sea kayak in the Mississippi!

For the deer hunters...

Here are the three girls that hang around my back yard. They sit half way up my hill and I can watch them from my window. You'll have to click to enlarge the photo to see them. They blend really nice. There are a few good sized bucks in the neighborhood but they hardly are seen this far down the hill.

A couple of beaver shots for you..

Waves were gone when Brian and I got up to Lake Superior so we went hiking and agate picking for the day. For the first time I actually found an Amethyst crystal on the beach! Pretty cool!