Training Log Archive: cfosp1

Camp 61.4 to Popp Beach ~River Mile 42.4. Started this overcast day with a good bacon and egg sandwich and an espresso. We broke camp, piled up everything at the landing and paddled empty upstream to the Namekagon-Lac Courtes Oreilles Portage Trail, which we noticed on the previous day because of a rickety looking dock that looked forlorn and out of place. Returned, loaded up and got going on this longer stretch. We stopped once to trim the load for better maneuverability, with good effect. The skies turned darker and eventually it started raining. Never hard, but sometime steady and soon we were soaked. Due to the mild temps and our constant motion we kept warm and never even took out our rain gear.
At Stinnett Landing, a sign announce a river census and a guy in a lawn chair counted us. I confirmed by shouting to him "Are we being counted?" to which he replied "yes, you are." After Stinnett, there was a short rapids followed by a nice chute with a wavy tongue. Farther down, in one of the little boulder gardens which kept our hands busy, we saw a big black bear crossing the river, of which only his big head was showing. There was no way to stop and I worried a little about encountering the beast at the bottom of the rapids. But he was gone by the time we got there.
We got hung up once between two boulders, only one of a couple of times where we had some miscommunication. fortunately we were able to extricate ourselves from the situation. Grateful to have such an experienced paddling companion in Karl.
We stopped at Groat Landing to relieve our sore behinds. During a quieter stretch, we heard some laughing and splashing, three young kids appeared to have a fun water fight. It was odd to see this in a rather remote location of the river. We exchange greetings and noticed that the three young girls were hanging on to a fully submerged canoe. We asked if we could help and they immediately accepted. We had their canoe empty in no time and learned that a vessel loaded with boys had tipped them over. They thanked us and left while we were trying to coax Roux back into the canoe. We soon caught up with their group and exchanged greetings.
The rest of the trip was rather uneventful.. we stopped at one campsite to have lunch and hurried on, getting chilled in our wet clothes. Roux invited himself onto my lap, looking for a warm spot. Not easy to paddle while having the rear end and haunches of a 25 kg dog on your lap.
Eventually, Big Bend was there, we paddled by a large group that just got going. I had picked my landmark in planning to approach Ben and Megan's unmarked property. A solitary island was just downstream from them. When I saw it, I started looking for trails leaving the densely forested shore. We mentally marked three candidates and thought the first was the most likely. We paddle back to it and bingo, headed right for their house.

Warm welcome at the pops, bringing up our stuff, warm shower, setting up tent and getting ready for big pig roast. (see FB)

Beautiful late afternoon departure. Roux did pretty well considering it was his first time in a canoe. Always standing, always on the lookout but his lighter weight made this less noticeable in terms of stability. Within the first five minutes, a couple standing in their backyard pointed out a black bear pup to us which was unfortunately outside of our line of sight. We quickly left Hayward behind and made about 8 km/h. It felt like Karl and I would be a good team. We passed the two group camps, the second of which had occupants but Camp 61.4 was unoccupied. Poison ivy in evidence everywhere, we tried to avoid and hoped that Roux would not transfer it to us. Delicious tortellini dinner prepared by Karl, a Tallgrass Velvet Rooster made for a nice first night on the river.

Took an after dinner hike with Karl and Roux. After a while on a single track trail leading away from camp we came to a barrier at the end of a dirt road. Continuing, we saw the Louisiana Pacific plywood plant and endless piles of wood being stored awaiting processing. Deer abound and work still ongoing on this lovely weekend's eve night. Headed back and withdrew fairly quickly to our tent. Many ticks picked of Roux and ourselves. I don't think I've ever seen them so thick. Mosquitoes weren't that bad.

Beautiful morning, the heat broke overnight. Took it easy after last night's roller ski intervals.

Photo expedition taking pictures of a plethora of spring flowers, mostly legumes. Last hike around Brownie? Another thing I'll be missing ...

Probably the last official commute home from TCW, at least for the foreseeable future. Moving downtown next Monday and tomorrow and Friday don't look like good cycling weather. I enjoyed the ride and pushed a little on some of the segments. I'll be missing it ...

Walked across the lawn at Energy Park and noticed this lovely scent. Thought that it couldn't have been the linden trees yet and determined that it was the white clover.

Meeting Tom for a couple of Guinness. So quick to get there from home.

As we were leaving the Dubliner, ceilidh dancing was going on. Supposedly, this activity used to raise funds for the IRA. Amazing, the ride home form her takes only around 8 minutes. Don't think I could go much faster in a car.

Very pleasant, no wind so to speak of, no traffic, just a nice summer morning.

First really hot summer day. I don't mind it, I am on the bike for less than 40 minutes, to short a time to get overheated or dehydrated. Again, very little wind.

Walking two hot dogs today. I hosed them down before starting and myself, too. Roux is very adept at finding the narrowest sliver of shade and making the best of it, like slinking along a wall. It seems almost instinctual.

Sisu MYR: 4 x 7:00 L3 Roller Skiing Classic Double-poling Intervals
Warm-up from Desnoyer Park Along St. Anthony Rd to Lake Street Bridge
4 x 7:00 L3 double poling (two to past Ford Bridge, two back), ~2:00 recovery in between
Cool-down and back to cars on Eustis, which was a nice climb.
First time out on classic roller skis, they felt squirrely and twitchy. Much higher rolling resistance than my skate roller skis, too.
Beautiful evening sky over downtown Minneapolis skyline along with a light rain shower.
Great workout!

Felt a little crisp this morning but I think that's just because of yesterday evening's warm temps.. Good ride, taking it easy. On Cedar Lake Trail, I focused on dropping the heel on the downstroke and keeping an even pace. Seemed to work, going along nicely, until I passed that big old snapper mom trying to dig a nest right on the side of the trail where it narrows next to Cedar Lake. I had to go back for a picture. Well worth it!

Took it easy. Turtle had abandoned her egg laying efforts next to Cedar Lake Trail. Smart of her. Nice pace on Dinkytown Greenway and UMN Transit Way. Wind was weird, kind of squirrely, couldn't quite figure out from where it was blowing. Mostly, it seemed west but on last part of Tranist Way it seemed to be coming from east. Doesn't matter, I did as I did this morning, focusing on dropping that heel on the down stroke.

Nice walk. A young woman asked me about running paths in the neighborhood, she was staying at the motel at Bandana Square. I suggested Como Park. So close.

Very energetic dogs this morning!