Monday 11 March 2013

Dreams do come true

A healthy Bob and myself hiking the Casques Isles Trail

"What are you doing here?"  Asked Dr. Czlopinski, Bob's Cardiologist.  "We don't see healthy people in this office!"  he stated with a smile.  "Your heart is better than ever!"  as he read the report from the Cardiac surgeon, which stated: "

Dr. Lamy, a member of the Hamilton General Hospital cardiac surgical team evaluated Bob's progress and in a letter to Dr. Czlopinski stated he was in great shape, recoverd very well and was on his way to a healthy and lengthy life. Good News.  Dr. Lamy also recommended Bob not to shovel snow.

I am winning the battle of the snow!!




 "In fact" he said: "Women are more suited to shovelling snow than men"  He then looked at me and smiled.  Yeah right!!!!
And yes, I am shovelling the snow in the driveway, the wood pile and today, shovelling to dig out the shovel!

So, life is good in the Northwest.  Since all restrictions have been lifted for Bob, we have been hiking and snowshoeing the trails.  Uphill both ways.  That is why the town is appropriately named Terrace Bay. Since we can't ski the trees this season, hiking amongst them is almost as good, except a bit slower.  Yes, there are snowshoe rabbits here as well, and big ones.  I wouldn't mind one in the oven roasting with a hint of fresh rosemary and marinated in red wine.

We have been hiking the Casques Isles trail. The total distance from Rossport to Terrace Bay is 53 km.  We have begun to explore the shores of Superior in segments.  Trails hug the beautiful and magnificent coastline of Lake Superior.  So far, we have hiked from Augosaban Falls to Danny's Cove and Lyda's Bay.  Beautiful!!!
Lyda's Bay


Casques Isles Trail















The weekend brought approx. 1 foot of fresh snow.   The temperature was 0 - +2 degrees....time to play outside.  But, not until the snow is shovelled....again.   In Southern Ontario, they call this stuff  "Heart Attack snow"  I call it wet cement, or back in ski school it is called "Elephant Snot"  Yep,  heavy and no where to pile it!  O.K. now that chore is done, now the wood pile....again....  I had to get the shovel from the front to dig out the shovel in the back, as it is now buried in amongst the wood pile.  Yes, I did leave the shovel standing up, and no, you can't see the picnic table either, as it is also buried.


Aguasobon Falls

Back to
snowshoeing.....
We began this day's trek at Aguasobon Falls as the goal was to reach Hydro Bay (6km along the shore of Lake Superior) and back.  Well, the snow moist, sticky and heavy:  Cannonball shaped death cookies had begun to form under the crampons on our snowshoes.  And they weighed the equivalent to cannonballs.  Of course, it IS uphill both ways. 


Danny's Bay
 

We managed to snowshoe to Danny's Cove and back. Two hours later, our legs felt like we had skied moguls all day.  We will save Hydro Bay for the spring.

Knitting:  Yes my addiction.  Ski withdrawal = knitting, knitting and more knitting. (spinning too)  I finally completed Bob's sweater.  3 months to spin the wool and here it is.  The Irish knit pattern is my special gift for Bob.  The Celtic knot: for Bob's Irish heritage. The Ensign's braid: In memory of his father George who served in the Navy. The X's and O's: For my love for him. 


A fitting sweater for a handsome man

Now that the day is coming to an end, we think and wait.  Spring in not just around the corner as it is in the South. 


Here, in the North West, spring arrives when the bears wake up...

Every day is a gift

Stompin Tom Connors passed away 6 March at the age of 77.  God rest his soul
Stompin' Tom Connors: A Real Canadian Girl
She loves the way it feels, driving snowmobiles
And laughing at her dates when they don't know how to skate
She knows her hockey games and the players of the world
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An Real Canadian Girl

She's from the Miramichi by the old Atlantic Sea
But like the rolling tides she travels far and wide
So fond of the great outdoors with a glowing heart a twirl
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An Real Canadian Girl

She's a real Canadian Girl, a real Canadian Girl
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An real Canadian Girl

She'll brave the Yukon nights and dance to the northern lights
Then she's off to ski in the mountains of BC
In the summer she'll play ball
In the winter time she'll curl
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An Real Canadian Girl
[ Lyrics from
From the river of Saint John to the old Saskatchewan
Up along the Caribou she'll paddle her canoe
She loves the bears and birds and every little squirrel
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An Real Canadian Girl

She's a Real Canadian Girl, a real Canadian Girl
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An a Real Canadian Girl

Now when you see her play she'll take yer breath away
Bathing in the sun or swimming just for fun
And if some lucky guy should land this precious pearl
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An a Real Canadian Girl

She loves the way it feels driving snowmobiles
And laughing at her dates when they don't know how to skate
She knows her hockey games and the players of the world
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An a Real Canadian Girl

She's a real Canadian Girl, a real Canadian Girl
She's an all Acandian, northern lady
An a Real Canadian Girl
  • "The Snowmobile Song"
It's Wintertime and the weather's fineThe snow on the woods and fields when I reveal... my snowmobileThrill by thrill by golly n' hill
Baby it'll make ya feel like an outdoor meal...On a snowmobile

Listen to the sound when the belts go round 'When the winter carnival's here...
And oh what fun at the crack of the gun
When the whole gang disappears...

The race is on from the bush to the pond
And back where the judge's feel you've won their seal...For the snowmobileYou've won their seal... for the snowmobile

Where skier's ski, and skater's be and snowshoes lend appeal
Like a boogie wheel,... On a snowmobile

We tip the glass to the northern lass for she won't let ya kneelShe'd rather squeal -...on a snowmobile-up-

You're off to the town where the word goes roundIt's winter carnival timeIn goggles, boots, and a snow proof suit Your sweethearts on your mind
Ya win the race and you see her face and you know that she must feel
You've got a real... good snowmobile-

Now down the street U can hear the beat & the clickin' of the dancer's heel
When the fiddler's peel... off a ragtime reel
You dance and tear with an "I don't care

On the way back home you'll wheel-over hill and field -On a snowmobileup-
Through the golden glow on powdered snow
When the moon comes rolling along
On a homeward trail
U can hear the wail of the whole gang singing a song..

If tomorrow's clear with fishin' gear
We'll head for a lake trout meal
With a rod and a reel-and a snowmobile
Life can be real with a snowmobile
There ain't no deal like a snowmobile














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