Trego Lake Skiing

We went to the Trego Lake Trail to do some more cross country skiing this afternoon. The trail is located approximately 1 mile north of Trego, WI on highway 53, then east 2 miles like the sign says. The trail has tracks set for classical skiing. There would be no room for skate skiing as it quite narrow. There are three loops...easy, intermediate and most difficult. Signs on the highway to point the way.

If you have not been here before, study this sign at the beginning, because it is the only map there.

Janice did the easy loop.

We parted ways and I skied the rest...even the most difficult. How difficult was it you ask...even the sign has trouble staying upright.

The peckers have been working on this tree lately. Most likely some easy pick'in.

Cross Country Ski

We finally went out cross country skiing today. We went to the Superior Municipal Forest trail. It is $5 a person to ski there or I think $20 if you wanted to pay by the year. The trails were nicely groomed for both skate skiing and classical. Man, some of the skate skiers are fast. I do the classical style.The weather was perfect and we were out about two hours. This was a little spur trail.

Some Cattails.

There are a lot of uses...parts the cattail are edible, the natives had many uses, and you can also make ethanol with it.

I noticed a few of the White Pines that were really loaded with cones.

The roads around here have a coating of a loose sugar or sand like substance, which isn't all bad, but it is very dirty also. So, I did the interval thingee tonight. 15 sets of 1 x 3's. I should get out the ski's. I have a new head lamp I received for Christmas that would work well for cross country. One of these times.

A Nerd, A Nude and a Bike
A nerd was walking on campus one day when his friend, another nerd, rode up on an incredible shiny new bicycle. The first nerd was stunned and asked, "Where did you get such a nice bike?" The second nerd replied, "Well, yesterday I was walking home minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up to me on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, 'Take what you want!'"
The second nerd nodded approvingly, "Good choice. The clothes probably wouldn't have fit."

While I was doing the brick tonight, I watched my son trying to eradicate all the virgin snow from in front of the house. That snow deserves every thing he is throwing at it.

He said "How could a person ever get tired of that"

Cabin Weekend

Spent the weekend at the family cabin. It is always fun when we can get the family together, but when it is at the cabin, that is really fun. We spent Saturday fishing...and this young man caught his first thru the ice fish....note...many more than one. That is what fishing is about in my world. The kids having fun and just keep just enough for a meal. I do not believe in putting fish in the freezer. Catching enough for a meal now and then is fine. By releasing what you do not need will help ensure fishing into the future for the young'ens. We had 15 people for the evening meal...which Lisa, our daughter, called a feast. We awoke Sunday morning to a fresh 4 inches of snow. With the sun shining bright, Janice and I went for a nice 3 mile walk. There is something special about exercising in brisk weather. It was 3 above zero...fresh snow...fresh critter tracks...and thankful to be able to do such things. All smiles///click for big

And more smiles

Trainer

If it the dust ever settles at work, I would like to purchase a new ride...or two...this spring. I would like to get a fixed gear and as I have said before, a better ride for touring. We will wait and see how things go. Another...restructure...at work this week. Three people gone...Two with 30 plus years. Hopefully the dust settles soon.

The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you're on the job......Slappy White

Spent a hour+ on the trainer this afternoon. I have not watched TV since July, but today it was Road Runner, the Coyote and the trainer.

I stink, but I do not spring leaks and drip...no towel.

Happy New Year

Anyone for karaoke???

Road trip

Made a trip to the Twin Cities this weekend. We went to visit my aunt, who is in like a nursing home in South St. Paul...South View Acres. My parents came with us. There was some ice down around there. With my parents, and us for that matter, not being exactly young, ice is a concern.

After the visit, we headed over to Eriks in Bloomington and then on to REI. That REI store was packed. Wall to wall people...parking at the extreme end of the lot. Obviously, some people have money...or some of that plastic money. Some had arm loads of stuff. Not us, as we were looooking not buyyyying. Hell, I don't know if I will have job next year, so buying things that are not really needed are on the back burner.

Watch where you're going and keep your hands on the bars...in the winter anyways.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

Eve ride

Went for a nice ride this afternoon. I did not have the computer hooked up on this ride, but I was gone for nearly two hours and was guessing I logged about 20 miles. Most of the roads I was on today had a loose sugar like coating...with one stretch of sand road that was really tore up. Had to unzip the coat after I got warmed up. Had G2 in the water bottle...it was frozen when I got home. Put things away, showered and puttered around a little...Then had a G2 slushy...pay extra for that.

Calm Clear and Cold

Minus 20 this morn. We had an errand to run this morning so I snapped a couple pics near home of the St. Croix river. The steam did not show well.

Sun shining bright on the way home.

Roads in perfect condition for biking.

Shanty time

Stayed up late last night clearing the snow away we got...so I could go to the shanty today. We ended up with about 6" and then came the wind and the cold. It was about -7 below when I arrived at the shanty and 5 above when I left, with a stout wind all day. I was the only out there for about 5 hours, then two trucks drove past me and farther out about a half mile. They did not stay long. It was nasty out there today. It does not look like it here, but there were some big drifts out on the lake. I had to back up and get a run a couple of them. You people that eat healthy may want to X out now.

Lunch was fresh brewed coffee with a hot dog sandwich.

Just before dark, a few more snow flurries

Sun is down but still glowing

And dark when I left. These are my tracks from when I arrived. Had to hit a couple of the drifts twice on the way off the lake too.

Fluff

Light snow all day and very little wind, temp around the 18 mark.

Sun peaked for 46.3 seconds

Will get to plow again tomorrow or late tonight...yea

More mini bricks

Still been riding the trainer and running indoors. Hunting season is over, so outside riding this weekend for sure. If I had a job close to home, I would try the work commuting...although I do not know if I would be as dedicated as some out there. Like for instance All the way Ray...and...Doug, who had a really nice streak going before an unfortunate accident...and sounds like bother yam does also. One of my co-workers, who received the lay off notice at work a while back, was one of these hardy souls. I witnessed first hand what he rode through and it was impressive. Blizzards, way below zero and thunder storms and downpours, these guys make it look easy.

Snow

Seven inches of snow today...so that means shovel and plow.

LOL>>>Bush had shoes thrown at him. Come on, you have to have a sense of humor.

Not much to write about this week. Same old stuff...trainer and elliptical. Outside riding is only available at night thru this weekend when the hunting season is over, and I haven't done that either.

Worked on the ice fishing shanty and also got the battery changed in the car...under the back seat...special battery at $190...must be done right or the computer gets screwed up, special tool...and that brings me to the auto parts store in Solon Springs. I try to keep our business local, so we buy our auto parts there. The unit I needed to change the battery I did not have. The owner said he would like to have one as he didn't have one either. He bought it, opened it up and sent it home with us to use with these instructions, "I would like to have one any way. Bring it back when you're done. No hurry." That is just one example of many. So...a shout out to Glen at Solon Springs Auto Part's and Machine Shop.

It was cold this morning. This one is for you CAD.

Some days...

There are some days that you have it and then there are others...others that, well I just don't have it. Yesterday felt good on the trainer and even did an extra 1 hour 18 in the evening, just because. A nice easy pace...relax'in...a waste'in time. Tonight I rode 35 minutes of 1 X 3's and now...ready for a nap. Man, just zapped me. I have the same issues when I am riding for real. Stolen from???google

Climate reality check

A dose of climate reality this morning. It was minus 16 degrees...Fahrenheit. I had been wondering about the strength of the battery in our car. No need to wonder anymore...it didn't start.

More work on the trainer and elliptical today.

First measurable

First measurable snow last night and this morning...about 2" of fluff. Still not comfortable riding during the daylight hours because the muzzle loader deer hunt is going on until I think, Tuesday. Then follows another four day doe only season. Only time to ride safely is night... ooor...it's the trainer...Yeah

Stay'in warm

Minus 16 this morning. Just a sit'in home keeping warm tonight.

Celsius that is.