Cool Airplanes

Now the weather is getting nice, people are getting the fun planes out. This is Walts T-28.

Ice Out!

Winter is finally releasing its icy grip on us ... these photos were taken Monday afternoon before the thunderstorms came through the area. Lake Independence.

Apostles in April

A Rainy weekend on Lake Superior for the first Apostle expedition of the year, I know a couple other people had planned on going out to Devils ... I hope it went well! We stayed warm and dry while in our tents, spending any amount of time paddling brought about cold feet for me. I may try using an old closed cell sleeping pad on the floor of the boat next time I go out in cold water. When we arrived at Oak Island and checked our campsite (note above picture), we then found the other campsite on the island unoccupied, and claimed it as ours for the weekend. We didn't think we'd have anybody show up and kick us out this weekend! A circumnavigation of Oak Island was the plan for Saturday, some surfing waves made the trip around the island a good plan .. I still think we paddled into the wind that day much more than we had it to our backs. Such is life I guess. A couple of cold water rolls were had, and the first Apostle trip is history!

Ron S from Novorca Paddles had along a new video camera he had attached to a helmet .. looked like a real nice setup. I'm anxious to see the video!

Boat Packing

Well it all seems to fit, at least here it does. For some reason every time I'm standing on the beach trying to stuff everything in ... it just doesn't go as smoothly. Heck! Just leaving the dutch oven out made lots of room. Make it a minimalist/stay warm weekend

First Apostle Trip

Last year Ron S and I went up for an early Apostle weekend, this year we are doing the same, but with a larger group, Ron S, Alex, Chris G, and Mike O, and I will make the trek. This year may border on Winter camping! I've read rumors about ice still floating about the islands. I've done plenty of cold weather camping in the past, and the key to staying warm, is to stay dry. Cold weather paddling trips make it a bit harder to stay dry. After going through my staple of paddling and skiing gear, I think I may have the right combination to stay warm. Now to see if it will all fit in the boat! The trade off may be some of the comforts I would take on a warm Summer trip, will get left behind. An evening of trial boat packing in a nice warm place before we go would be a good idea.

Open water forecast Lake Superior

Open water forecast for the next few days looks a bit wild. I bet the white water folks will be headed to Duluth for the surf! I may have to drive up Saturday morning just to check it out!

.FRIDAY...NORTHEAST GALES TO 45 KNOTS. STORM FORCE GUSTS TO 50 KNOTSPOSSIBLE. SNOW. WAVES BUILDING TO 20 TO 25 FEET..FRIDAY NIGHT...NORTHEAST GALES TO 45 KNOTS. STORM FORCE GUSTS TO 50KNOTS POSSIBLE. SNOW LIKELY. WAVES SUBSIDING TO 15 TO 20 FEET..SATURDAY...NORTHEAST GALES TO 35 KNOTS BACKING NORTH IN THEAFTERNOON...THEN DIMINISHING TO WIND TO 30 KNOTS IN THE EVENING.RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS LIKELY. WAVES SUBSIDING TO 7 TO 10 FEET

More Snow

The cold weather is staying with us a bit longer this year. The forecast is calling for snow again by the weekend, possibilities of 2-5 inches. Northern Minnesota was hit with over 2ft of snow over the last weekend! With the cross country skiing over with for the season, and the kayaking still a ways off, I've been running a bit to keep the extra pounds at bay. I will have to continue the running routine on the days I don't make it on the water, at first it was just a lot of work ... but I'm starting to enjoy it.

Cool Airplanes

A Grumman Widgeon stopped by yesterday, this one originally started out as a J4F in the military in 1943. The inline 6 cylinder Rangers have been replaced with 520 Continentals. Very nice!