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the stores that I needed to upgrade my gear, like boots, closed early before I
got there, I was picked up by Brian and his dog, Simon, and we were in South
River before we knew it.
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Instead, this is what I woke up too. 10 minutes worth of sunning myself, and I realized the folly of quitting. I don't complain much when I am on an adventure, so I must have been pretty cold that night! An azure sky, a northern lake surrounded by hills covered with evergreens, great company, a warm February sun, and zero slush: that is the recipe for a great day.
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They went for a walk around the lake; I went fishing. They hung out at camp; I went fishing. They probably even had a snooze-I went fishing.
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After supper we sat for a few hours around a rip-roaring fire. The guys had built a big fire pit, complete with a wall for a backrest. It was so big it had to have a slot carved out to allow the smoke to escape the pit. Sunday night remained as warm as the day: about zero, 17 or 18 degrees warmer than the previous night. I slept for many hours without once chattering my teeth!
I went to sleep with several layers on, and the insoles of my winter boots. I slept in a fleece overbag within a mummy-style sleeping bag within another sleeping bag. On the first night, this setup did not work, but on the second night this system worked beautifully.
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breed is a carting dog. As for Libby, Steve's golden retriever, well, she is a retriever. Friendliest dogs around, but debatable working dogs!
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Spring is on it's way-one last mid-April snowstorm is coming-so go watch the birds returning and the deer grazing: get out there, eh!
Uncle Travelling Dan