2021 Spring Reading

Completed Books 

I have been enjoying listening to audio books from the library. I am able to download them to my phone and then I can listen to them when I walk or bike or ski. I find that I also like listening to them at bedtime. It is a relaxing way to fall asleep, unless it is at an exciting part of the story. Then I find myself changing the "sleep" setting from 15 mins to 30 mins! 

March Ski Totals

 2021 March Ski Total

I logged 101 KM this March on my cross country skis. It was a mix of classic and skate skiing. As the snow started melting I began skate skiing and on my last day I went 16km which was lovely as it was so warm and sunny out. I was disappointed when the snow melted and my ski tracks disappeared. I was hoping I might get to ski on the lake but it started melting and I no longer trusted the ice as I had no idea how strong the ice was. So I stopped skiing and began walking around the lake.  I actually logged 100 KM walking in March. So I am proud of my effort of a total of 201KM for March 2021. 

Trekking in Nepal

 Nepal 2019

In October 2019 I traveled to Nepal to join a group of 17 Canadians going on a group trek in Nepal. The goal of the trek was to reach 4,200m (13,779.5 feet) at the Annapurna Base Camp. This is famously called the ABC trek in Nepal. The trek would last 15 days. It was a very memorable experience. 

Trekking in Nepal is rather luxurious in comparison to hiking in the Canadian Rockies as each person is assigned a porter. Your porter carries your main pack with your heaviest items. My responsibility was to carry a day pack with water, warm clothes and my camera. Each night we stayed at a tea house.  This was a small dorm style room with a bed. All our meals were eaten in a small restaurant in the tea house. So it was very luxurious hiking by Canadian standards. I did not have to carry my own gear, pitch a tent upon arrival to the camp or even cook my own food. 

The highlights of the trip were:

•  walking across many suspension bridges - the longest was 287 meters long and 135 meters high,
• drinking masala tea,
• eating dal bhat (24 hour dal bhat power - my guide's favourite saying),
• meeting locals in the mountain villages with no road access,
• visiting a local school and playing volleyball with the students,
• stunning mountain views of the Himalayas,
• attending a harvest celebration with traditional dancing and music,
• watching porters carry all of our stuff without complaint and
• watching the filming of a bollywood movie in Chhomrong.  
• trekking a total of 135km in 15 days

Each day we walked between 15-25km depending on the trail. We were very lucky with the weather and we only had one day when it rained on us in the afternoon. We always had a long lunch break with a chance to relax and take our hiking boots off. Our porters would always beat us to each tea house as they were extremely fast hikers even though they were carrying 100-120 pounds. 

 

First Sign of Spring

 Spring 2021

I know that it is spring as today on my walk I saw a Wooly Bear Caterpillar. This little one was hardly moving as it was cold today but slowly it was inching it's way across the road. I wondered where it came from and where it was headed to. It made me smile to see this caterpillar as I know that winter is ending as the ground melts and slowly comes alive.

Spring Has Sprung

End of a Ski Season 

I am sad to see the snow melt. I am grateful for warmer days but it means the end of my ski season. I was trying to ski 100km this month and I don't think I made this goal. I guess I can keep my fingers crossed for a spring storm and more snow. This was a photo of my last day of skiing. The trail was almost gone. I could get by on one ski at times. I guess I will have to get excited about walking and biking. Time to set some new summer goals. 

March Walking Challenge

 Time to Get Moving

Now that the weather has warmed up and the days are longer I am able to for a walk after supper. So I have started adding a daily walk around town each day. This has worked well and I have already completed my March challenge with time to spare. I have logged 50km of walking already. I now hope to keep on walking and perhaps get to 100km for the month....

Cross Country Skiing

Anderson Lake 

I am out on the lake to log some KM on my cross country skis. I had to switch over to my skate skis as the snow is quickly melting and the conditions are icy. I am able to ski if I go out in the morning while the snow is still hard and icy. By lunch time the snow is soft and melting and I can't glide. Today was a perfect day and I was able to ski 10km by completing two laps around the lake. It was warm and sunny and a perfect ski day. I hope I get a few more great ski days in March. 

Spring Skiing

The End of the Season 

The snow is quickly melting and I am unsure how many more ski days I will have. I use to ski here in this field but I think today will be my last day as the dirt is starting to show up. I like skiing in the spring when the snow is soft and the sun is shining. I guess soon I will be walking and riding my bike instead of skiing....

Dog Walk

 Artistic Walk

I decided to attempt some "walk art" with my daily dog walk. I attempted to draw a picture of a dog. It was actually very challenging as I found houses, fences and trees in my way to create the image that I wanted. I think I would have been more successful to go out onto the lake and attempt to free draw it there. However, the lake is now melting and I am not longer confident that I should walk on it.  So for now, here is my artistic dog walk....

Melt Your Heart

 Dog Cuddles

One advantage to being back home in Saskatchewan is I get to hang out with this little cutie. His favourite spot in the evening is on the sofa beside me.  He brings me happiness while we relax at home. 

Saskatchewan's Natural Beauty

 Sunsets

My iphone camera doesn't really do this sunset justice. There was a beautiful pink glow on the horizon. That is one advantage of living in Saskatchewan - the living sky and the open space allowing unblocked views to the far distance. 

Covid Projects

 #GetItDone2021

Before

After

In the true covid spirit it is an opportunity to stay home and work on projects in the house. This is the bathroom in the master bedroom and it was last painted sometime  around 1992. I am not done the project yet but I managed to get some primer on the walls. I will need to put 2 coats of paint before this project is done. I will keep you posted. I have hit pause for a moment on this project as I sliced my thumb open the other day while grating carrots into a salad. So painting is on hold till my thumb heals. 

Ski Challenge

 FEBRUARY

Since I have decided that it is too cold out to go running I have decided to spend each day getting some exercise on my cross country skis. I try to go out and ski a loop around Anderson Lake each day. My goal for February was to ski 200km. However due to the 2 weeks of very cold weather (one day it was -40c) I was not successful with my goal. I did manage to ski 117km. So it has been a good month to log some kms. Let's hope I can keep up the pace for March!

Heart Walk

 Daily Step Count

Even though it was still cold out today I managed to get outside for a walk. I was motivated to try a "heart walk" out on the lake. It was -23c but it felt like -30c so I didn't stay out too long. But it was a fun activity to do on Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day

 Love is in the Air

I found these cute bird valentines and I wanted to share them as they made me laugh.

Hiking in Australia

Queensland 

I have been going through my photos and I came across this photo from a hike in Australia. You can see the city of Brisbane way off in the distance. I am thinking fondly of my time in Australia last year. This winter cold snap has made me stay indoors for almost 2 weeks. I miss the heat and sun of Australia. I am looking forward to spring and summer so I can get out hiking again. 

Chocolate Pudding

 Recipe

Since Valentines Day is fast approaching I am planning to make this chocolate pudding recipe. 

 

Saskatchewan Covid #'s for Feb 12

 Covid Continues 

In our area of Saskatchewan we have 6 new Covid cases as of Feb 12.  But 90 active cases so it is still a massive concern. I haven't heard any more updates about the outbreak at the Yorkton Hospital so I don't know if that has improved or been contained. 

Bali Memories

 February 2020

As we drive from Sanur to Amed we had a chance to stop for a lunch with an amazing view of the countryside and terraced rice paddies. Instagram(IG) as changed many of the views around Bali as now you find these creations and also large swings where you can pay a small fee to have your photo taken to create a special instagram moment.  It seems that IG has forever changed travel and created these random "hot" spots or must see locations as people post photos and share their locations to their thousands of followers. 

Memories from 1 Year Ago

 Bali, Indonesia 

In February, 2020 I was lucky enough to spend a month in Bali. When visiting Sanur I went to a cultural dance performance. I really enjoyed seeing the costumes and dance moves and the music. If you haven't been to Bali and you don't know the gamelan then I suggest you click on this video below....

https://youtu.be/BmlAZxha8Pw

To cold to go Outside

 Saskatchewan Winter Temps

It is still cold out. But there is an improvement. It is about 10 degrees warmer this week and if we can make it to next week it will be in the teens! The wind chill has been the problem. It was -35c when I woke up this morning but with the wind chill it feels like -41c.  I am looking forward to some warmer temperatures so I can go out for a cross country ski. 

Decluttering

 An Ongoing Process....

During my time at home in Saskatchewan I have been attempting to declutter my stuff.  I moved out of Banff in 2010 and I packed up all my stuff and stored these boxes of stuff in my parents basement. Well, it has been 10 years and these boxes are still here. Hummmm. Time goes quickly. So I have been slowly going through boxes and trying to get rid of stuff. I decided to look at all the shoes that I own. I seem to have several pairs. Shoes are tricky as each pair serves a purpose. It is a slow process. I have come across many memorable items and treasures. 

I found out that I have alot of trinkets. I like art work and trinkets from my travels. There are boxes and boxes of items that I collected from various holidays. I have been going through the house and making sure that all of my stuff is together in one spot. It seems that over the years I have left little bits behind in various rooms throughout the house. For example I find a box of old pen pal letters stashed away in a closet. Then I find a box of my kindergarten artwork in a box under a bed.... it was fun to look at but I was able to let that go. I have no memory of my kindergarten work. So I keep working on pairing down. I realize that I have way too many clothes. Jackets, I love them. I have a huge collection. After living in Asia I also have way too many summer clothes.  What about my old CD collection. What does one do with CD's. They are quickly becoming old technology. 

How Flowers Got Their Names

 Flowers

I came across this graphic and I wanted to share it as I thought it was very interesting. It is fun to learn where flowers got their names from.

Bernie Sanders Meme

Good Vibes 

The Bernie Sanders Meme. This became a thing after the US presidential inauguration and someone took a photo of Bernie Sanders which quickly became an internet sensation as it was shared in various memes. Even Justin Trudeau got in the action as he delivered a message telling Canadians not to travel due to Covid outbreaks. 

Saskatchewan Covid Numbers

February 6, 2021 

 

Covid Out Break at the Yorkton Hospital

 Scary, so scary

YORKTON -- A total of 91 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in relation to an outbreak at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.

Janna-Lea Yawney, the director of acute care at the hospital, said as of 4 a.m. on Feb. 5, 60 of those total cases are considered recovered, including 25 staff, leaving 31 cases active.

The cases include 14 patients, 32 staff, six visitors and 39 secondary cases. Two suspected outbreaks, in the obstetrics and pediatrics units, have been lifted.

https://regina.ctvnews.ca/91-covid-19-cases-linked-to-yorkton-regional-health-centre-outbreak-1.5297777

Cold Weather Warning

 BRRRRRRRR

Well the cold weather found us....It will be a cold week as you can see. It had been so nice and warm with many days of -10 in January. Now things have turned for February. It is a cold day out there at -31. I am not skiing today. I am not going outside. I am hiding in the house. I guess it is a good day to work on my computer and catch up on my blog! 

FEB 2021

 New Goals

I am still getting out and skiing around the lake and fields. You can see the track set or groomed trail behind me. I am so happy that we got more snow. Before this track had grass sticking up and the this made skiing difficult as your ski would stick to the grass and not slide. But now with the new snow the skiing is great. Now if the temps can only stay mild it will be perfect. It is time for me to set some new cross country ski goals for the month. I hope to ski 200km this time!!

Anderson Lake Loop

 Ski, Ski, Ski

My Garmin watch tracks my cross country ski loops around Anderson Lake. But Google Maps doesn't have a winter view of Saltcoats! So this is what I see when I go out for a ski around the lake. 

Cross Country Skiing Adventures

 Backyard Ski

Recording another ski this winter season. I am so very lucky that I can walk out of the house and hit the lake and trails. It makes for an easy ski. It was a little colder today at -18c.  You can see my frozen hair....

The Joy of Skiing

Leflay Trail, Saltcoats 

Even though it has been colder out now I have still be getting out to ski. I have been trying to out and ski a loop around Anderson Lake everyday if possible. Of course somedays I miss out as it is windy or cold. Or maybe I have responsibilities to go into the city to buy groceries. But if I am free I have been going out for a ski. I am lucky as a local guy in town has a groomer and he goes out and sets the cross country ski trails so the conditions for skiing at Saltcoats have been excellent! This is a rare treat and I try to take advantage of his grooming when ever possible. It is peaceful and relaxing out on the trails. 

January Ski Goals

 Cross Country Ski

As the month of January finishes I had a chance to count up all my km's that I logged during the month. I skied 100km in December and I am pleased to have beat that with my new total of 148km. So I guess my February goal will be 200km. Something to keep me busy in Feb but this means that I will have to ski everyday and commit to skiing more than a 4 or 5 km loop each time...