Apostles

This latest satellite image is showing the Apostles relatively ice free! Looks like an early April paddle to the islands could be in the works.

Recovering the Skin on Frame

The SOF is getting a new cover this week. Last Fall I removed the old covering thinking I'd have all winter to get some fabric, and have a go a the recovering job. Well here it is mid March and nothing happening on the boat ... until yesterday. It's a job I probably could have muddled through, but having someone with some experience could save a lot of time and mistakes. With the St Cloud Rolling Demo/Clinic fast approaching I needed some help. After a few emails Jeff Bjorgo ready to teach me a little about re-skinning a kayak. Jeff did a few minor repairs to the frame, and we were quickly getting underway, by about midnight last night we had the covering complete, and the combing attached. I need to order some color and the boat will be ready for some good years of service. I'll get a few more photos up soon.

First Roll!

Just a quick congrats to Sherri for her first rolls at the pool session this afternoon. It's always fun to get someone rolling for the first time. Now we need to wait for the lakes to thaw out .. 62F today! March in Minnesota!

Transitions

It's that time of year when its hard do much of anything outside. The lakes are still frozen solid, and the ski trails are closed. This has been the one of the quickest snow melts I've seen in a long time. I know a few people that will still get out and ski around the shorelines of the local lakes, but I have a hard time trusting the ice. Besides, it's starting to look wet along the shorelines. It is starting to get nice enough outside where I will have to quit going to the gym, and start running outside. Now just get the motivation to get on it! I took the camera along on a tour of the local lakes this afternoon to have a look, and start thinking about some paddling. I know a couple guys who have headed up to the Minnesota North Shore of Superior for some paddling this weekend. After checking the satellite photos of Superior it looks like the Apostles are still pretty iced in. Maybe I can get an early April trip to Superior in this year .. I tried last year but was pretty much iced in.

Spring Skiing

The ski season here is starting to come to an end. With daytime highs well above freezing, the snow will be gone soon. Our small group of skiers headed up to Mora today to try and get in one last run at the Vasaloppet Trails, and we hit it early this morning and had a great day of skiing. There were a few spots we had to remove the skis and walk through, but for the most part it was one of the best days of skiing all winter.