Wandering Winter Tips

A first snow fall a few years ago during a camp out I had along Trout Creek.

So we've had the first snow fall of the season and so people are starting to talk about winter activities such as snowshoeing and winter camping.  I've been asked on a number of occasions if I could offer any advice for first time winter campers.  I'm not an expert but I have done a significant amount of tenting in the winter time.  I recently was reading Backpacker magazine and they offered some tips on winter camping and it was very informative and I thought, huh?  I can do that and put my spin on it.  So here are some points on wandering in winter.

1. Get to know your local gear stores: Some people don't like asking questions when shopping but I encourage you to build a relationship with your local gear store.  Don't be scared of asking them for help in getting the proper layers of clothing, boots, pack, or tent for your specific outing.  In Sussex, talk to the great staff at Outdoor Elements.  They are easy to talk to, treat you like family, and take great pride in outfitting you well.  If all you have is a Canadian Tire then try to make the most of the advice staff there can give.  For those who are more experienced, you may not need the advice given as far as picking out gear, but your local store staff can inform you on new technologies and trends for gear.

I hiked into these falls on Beatty Brook a couple of years ago.

2. Know your terrain:  It is always tempting to explore new territory when going out camping but your first winter camp out is not the time to do that.  I would even go so far as to say that your first winter camp out of the year is not the time to do that.  Camping, even in summer, is easier when you establish routines and are comfortable with your gear.  This is even more true in the winter time, when even the slightest gear failure can put you in a bad situation. Knowing your terrain improves your comfort level and leads to a more enjoyable outing and builds your confidence which means you'll enjoy your next trip too.

3. Avoid working to hard:  Hahaha I know this sounds funny but honestly, during winter camp outs, I strongly encourage working a little less.  Ok, so what I am really saying here is, avoid sweating....at all costs.  If you're working up a sweat, then slow your pace to avoid cooling to quickly later.  Once you get your tent up and you go to snuggle into your sleeping bag, that sweat you worked up later, is going to give you the chills first and you won't sleep that well because of it.  This once again will lead to a less enjoyable outing.  While hiking or snowshoeing, take layers off to control your body temperature and when you stop the physical activity put another layer on to again control your body temperature.

During a winter excursion into Hidden Valley I had this fire.

4. Have a fire:  Heck have a big fire, but make sure you dig out a spot where your fire won't collapse into a deep snowdrift and go out.  When you pack your gear for the winter camp adventure make sure to add some type of fire starter to your gear.  Lighting a fire in winter is not easy and I've heard many stories of "experienced" campers getting into a cold situation because they couldn't start a winter fire.  Make sure when you start a fire not to deplete the wood resources for future campers.  The fire will do a couple of things for you.  The obvious thing is keep you warm but it will also warm your spirits and make your trip more enjoyable.  If need be, practice lighting a fire in your backyard to make sure your technique is right.

5. Don't eat yellow snow:  Okay so don't eat just yellow snow, don't eat any snow.  It can be full of bacteria and it won't actually provide you with sufficient hydration.  You are better to melt snow first and if you're using a camp stove to do so, again make sure to set up your stove so that its heat won't melt a hole into the snow you placed it on and not the snow in your pot.  Remember too that when you melt snow to drink or cook with you should bring it to a boil for about 10 minutes.  I know water is better consumed cold and I strongly suggest you wait for your boiled water to cool down before drinking it.  I once scalded my tongue when I tried to drink right from the recently boiled pot.  Don't ever, ever, do that.

So there you have it.  Five not so common tips on how to improve your winter camp out.  Maybe at a later date I'll discuss some more technical points about winter camping.  I think I have some time yet before we are in the dead of winter here in southern NB.

See you in the woods or on the water.

Growing Up Big in a Small Town

In my younger days I spent most of my time in the back woods of Kings County.  I am a confessed "country boy" who has limited global traveling experience.  Recently I was walking down Main Street in Sussex and suddenly it seemed larger than normal.  I looked at some of the houses nearby and started reminiscing.

As I walked Main Street I noted the large older homes.  Some were well maintained and elegant while others were showing their age but if they could talk, they would all have a heck of a story to tell.  I was surprised at how many of those homes I had been in to at some point in my life.   There is the house where I picked up my date for junior prom.  That house there used to be a dentist office.  A friend of mine lived in an apartment in that house.  That was a heck of a party at the upstairs apartment in that house.

Small town Main Streets possess a character that can provide a wide array of experience to young people. (Dreamtime photo)

Admittedly I am a small town boy who has spent a limited number of nights in large cities.  I want to demonstrate though how a small town can provide global experiences, even if on a small scale.  Have you ever had a moment in your life when you were outside your comfort zone?  Maybe you thought "What am I doing here?"  Arguably that would happen more often in a big city where you have an opportunity to interact with a larger array of people.  It does happen in small towns, just less frequently and maybe with less people.

If I go back to the party at the upstairs apartment I can remember being with a group of people who were well out of my league normally.  No better or worse than me, just different.  They interacted with each other differently than I normally would and participated in things that I didn't.  In that moment, through that night, for some reason, I was comfortable hanging out with this crowd though.  Looking back on that night now, I see how my mind was expanded and how later it helped me adapt to a similar scene in a big city.

I can remember my first time visiting a friend at an apartment building.  I wasn't very old and I was nervous as I searched for the right apartment door to knock on.  While this is a small event, it prepared me later for seeking out business offices in bigger buildings and allowed me to do so with confidence.  I could stretch this one a bit further by saying that by finding my way through a forest to a specified camp site could prepare me similarly.

While small towns may not have the constant excitement and crowds of bigger metro areas, they still offer great opportunities for growth.  Arguably they provide a safer environment to learn about big city living while also presenting a chance to learn about things you can't learn in metro area.  You can't learn how to milk a cow while riding a bus or how to hunt for deer in a parking lot.

Growing up in a small town for me has been a blessing.  I have learned tolerance and acceptance of others and I have learned how to navigate various social situations.  I have learned outdoor skills and survival skills that serve me not simply in the backwoods but on a busy city street as well.  The buildings on a small town street have as long a history as the buildings on a big city street and when you open your ears and listen to what it's history is teaching, growing up in a small town can be a big experience.  Don't be scared to push your comfort levels especially in a small town.

Walking to Sustainability

This is a topic that has been weighing on my mind for some time.  I have been wanting to push it further but my time has been tied up with other things.  The weight got to heavy however, and so I want to have a discussion with folks from around Kings County, NB who want to push recreational trails to the forefront.  They can serve a multitude of benefits and in a region such as Kings County they can easily highlight the natural beauty, the history, and the people.

Kings County is blessed with rural, rustic beauty that can be accessed by anyone willing to walk for a while.  Walking is the most environmentally friendly source of transportation and is refreshing for the soul.  Typically I enjoy walking in the wilderness but I understand that not everyone is comfortable being off a trail.  Luckily we have some great trails in the Sussex area.

Trails connect parts of our community and provide those near it with an avenue to health and wellness.  In today's environment it is great to have a "walkable" community.  We have a great trail here, but there are still some parts of our community that are not yet connected.  Potential exists for a number of new trails and extensions of trails that already exist.

Imagine a trail meandering along Ward's Creek, or even Parson's Brook.  Such trails could connect Magnolia Avenue, Fowler Avenue, and Skyline Acres to the existing trails and to each other.  People near these corridors could more easily connect to their neighbors, would more likely take a bike ride, and thus be more physically and spiritually healthy.

The required green built for such a trail system could provide much more than simply a walking corridor.  With proper planning and some time, it could serve as wildlife habitat and a buffer to protect our waterways.  The trees that exist in the green belt could help buffer our regions carbon foot print or help filter some of our air to assist some of those with breathing or other health issues.  The green belt would resist impacts due to flooding and also mitigate some of the impacts to existing infrastructure during flood events.  Let's face it any effective flood mitigation approach would greatly enhance our community.

Going beyond the urban setting, a hiking or mountain biking trail could readily connect Sussex to Apohaqui or Waterford.  This strengthens our region and brings us all closer together.  Looking towards Waterford, a hiking trail with the proper corridor could showcase spectacular ridges, waterfalls, caves, and ravines.  This could quickly grow our tourism industry and stabilize our economy and dare I say, remove our need for shale gas.

Winter time does not mean the trail sits dormant either.  Sections of the trail could be designated as cross country skiing while other sections could be set aside for snowshoeing, and it wouldn't be a stretch to create a sliding hill somewhere along the trail either. 

So maybe our area could improve our walkability and by doing so enhance our environmental health and economic sustainability.  This type of action can't happen overnight and it would require many hours of planning and insight.  It will take leadership and sacrifice, time and money, and land and resources, all things that we have in our region.  If this is something you might want to contribute to contact me and I'd love to chat about it.

Full Moon Walking

Some people have a way of being able to organize events and get people out.  Go Train Fitness in Sussex is organizing a "Go Full Moon Walking" event this Sunday, August 10th.  It sounds like a cool event geared towards families.  Yours truly will be there to share some stories about the local waterway and ecosystems and Outdoor Elements will be there and owner John McNair will host a marshmellow roast after the Moon walk, not to be confused with Michael Jackson's famous dance style.  If you want to join the walk meet at the bandstand at Burton Park in Sussex at 9:00pm and bring a flashlight.

I might have some extra head lamps or lights if you don't have one.  My family is looking forward to this evening hike.  I've always liked hiking at night and this is a great way to help people get over their fear of the night.  Hope to see lots of people out.

See you in the woods or on the water.

Growing with the Flow

Communities come together in times of need and I have seen our community grow immensely in a short period, or maybe more accurately my appreciation of our community grew even more.  This past week has been challenging for many and many are likely still facing challenges in the days to come.  Through these challenges I have witnessed some amazing scenes.  The sights would restore even the most down trodden view on humanity.

I want to share with you a couple of the highlights I saw while trying to do my part.  I want to brag about the community we all call home and provide reasons why we should all be proud.

The first scene was a mother wading through knee high water to get her three kids off the school bus.  She then carried them, one by one, to dry ground.  Traffic waited, in water, while she made the three trips.  The maternal care she showed and the relief she demonstrated as she placed the last child on dry ground moved me and allowed me to push harder through my day.

Firemen are a special breed and we have some of the best volunteer firefighters around right here in our community.  In a time of high stress and continual action, a couple of them calmly aided seniors onto a bus as they evacuated the Lions Villa.  Each fireman was able to smile and infuse a sense of humor to reduce the stress in the entire situation.  As the bus stopped to drop off a couple of the seniors on board, the firemen piggybacked them to dry ground and again humor made the situation more bearable.  I was again left feeling blessed in the midst of chaos.

With homes fully surrounded by water, I could see neighbors gathered on small pieces of dry land, talking and even laughing with one another.  The sound of running pumps and generators prevented me from hearing the laughter but their facial expressions indicated that it was forced simply to help them keep their sanity.  They were leaning on each other as they sat scanning the floating debris and tangled pipes amongst their subdivision.  Their ability to face such a tough situation with a brave face made me realize how small some of my day to day problems really are.

Kids always seem to have a positive attitude and as our future that is a great thing.  As parents struggled with trying to minimize the damage to their homes, I watched kids playing obliviously to the ramifications of what was going on around them.  The link between youth and innocence was driven home as the kids splashed in a puddle at the end of his driveway.

Maybe the biggest testament to how strong our community truly is was how often I saw friends helping friends.  On a normal day, a household would sit lifeless as the home owners went quietly about their day.  Over this week this same home has 4 or more people milling about trying to put it back together.  Some of the people are family members while others are neighbors who are slightly better off.  This happened instantly and likely without even a call.

Witnessing all this made me incredibly proud to call this community home.  I wish every one a smooth road to recovery and can’t wait to see how we grow as we come through this.

Jamming Ice

The ice is finally moving out of the rivers and I'm lucky enough to get paid to watch it move.  Have you ever watched ice flows move down a river.  It is a bit of a humbling experience.  We have all likely seen a flooded river carrying debris down stream in a rushing torrent and that in itself is very impressive.  Ice flows move differently.  There is a slow motion effect to the movement and the torrent is hidden under the ice cover.  The biggest indication of the power of the ice is the sounds being created.  The loud pops, cracks, and crunches are signs that the river is powerfully tearing apart large ice sheets and moving debris downstream.  I took a short video recently and thought I'd share it here.  I'm no photographer and by an even farther stretch, no videographer but it still shows the power of nature.

This jam didn't result in any damage and I have seen bigger jams but I felt safe enough next to this one that I could take the video.  Things can change quickly in a jam and where one minute there was water flowing through a hole, the next it is clogged with ice, and then water backs up and a head is created.  If you are observing ice flows do so with caution and preferably from a distance.

Just as a note on the video, what caught my attention first was the fact that there was a tire floating on an ice sheet.  I observed the flow for about 15 minutes and the tire remained on the ice for the entire time.  No doubt it will end up in the Bay of Fundy.

Don't Blink or You'll Miss Me

So today I completed my first TV News interview.  It took all of 6 minutes for Ashley Dunbar to get the footage she needed and it took a small fraction of the time for it to air.  I came across fine but I was nervous to see how she would edit it.  I rambled a bit more than I was taught and this fed my worry.

I don't think that Matt Damon has anything to worry about because Hollywood won't be calling anytime soon.  But why don't you be the judge.  Check it out at CTV News.

Easy Wandering

This was a column I recently had published in the Kings County Record.  The hope is to inspire people to embrace the long winter as opposed to complain about it.  If you can get outside and enjoy the late March snow and warm winter time temperatures, then there is a ton of fun to have.

It is starting to look like we are in for a longer than anticipated winter.  This is especially true if you believe what the groundhog predicted.  One good thing about the large amount of snow that is hanging around this time of year; it makes for great snow shoeing.  The sun warms up the late morning and afternoon air to comfortable levels.  You now can easily convince yourself to make time to shake of the winter blues by getting outside.

I recently got out for a snow shoe across a large farm field and it was inspiring for how simple and easy the occasion was.  There was no need to drive far, I didn’t need to worry about getting lost, and for those who don’t like tough terrain; it was flat, almost barren.  When I looked across the field it was easy to see why some parts of the arctic are consider desert.  The trekking was so easy that my mind easily wandered to random stuff. 

The cold was biting at my nose and my ear lobes but the sun was fighting for its share of attention as well.  The bright blue sky and the light reflecting off the snow made it hard to ignore the sun and thus it warmed not only my face but my inside as well.  The wind, not to be out done, blew light wisps of snow around my collar and strangled me as the snow melted down the back of my neck.  The heat, with a big push from the inner heat, wins out and I push further across the field.

A large tree in the distance caught my attention and I alter my course to check it out.  The hardwood tree appears cold, despite being partially hugged by a large pine.  It is a maple tree with scaly grey bark and its outer limbs are partially covered in ice.  I couldn’t help but hug the tree and as I did I noticed a number of black capped chickadees flitting between the maple and the pine.  I came out of my own head for a minute and listened.  The birds were chirping and the wind was more brisk here now that the sun was behind the trees the cold was starting to win the battle.

I moved back out into the field and the sunshine and smiled as my cheeks warmed once again.  My next point of interest was a corral on the sunny side of a tree line.  With the snow draping off of it, it looked older than what it likely was.  I felt like I was in an episode of “Little House on the Prairie” where my character was looking for a missing horse.  It was a cool feeling and I was now fully retreated back into my own head again.  Then it hit me….this easy field snow shoeing is a great place to come and recharge and get inspired.  I should do this more often.

If you’ve been stressed about this long winter season, or fretting about taxes maybe, or considering a job change; try going to a nearby field and snow shoe across or around the field.  Let your mind wander and listen to what speaks to you.  Without a doubt, as you walk, you will feel your body coming to life.  You’ll feel the cold breezes more vividly, you’ll feel that sun light pushing the cold aside, and you’ll feel your soul warming with the season.

Misty Mountain Madness

Blogger's Note:  This is a copy of the column I had published in the November 12, 2013 Kings County Record.  I have performed a clean up, on the waterfall site referred to, in the past.  I have also cleaned up sections of  the road that leads up to Misty Mountain.  It is maddening that people continue to dump garbage in various locations along the Millbrook Road.

There is a place near where I grew up that has long been a destination for partiers, hunting, and outdoor enthusiasts.  Parties were held there, first time camping trips have also been a part of the landscape there, bike trips often rest there, and water will always be its signature.  Misty Mountain is a local landscape legend.  It has a long history that includes farming, forestry, and spring water. 

Topographically, it is not overly impressive, its rounded mass and height though make it stand out amongst its nearby counterparts.    Two steep valleys surround the mainly forested mountain and the valleys provide some beautiful scenery, no matter the time of year or the weather conditions.  The Cotter Hollow stream wraps its way around the hill flowing from its source on the high southeast shoulder, moving first to the east for a short time, then an uninterrupted run north before turning west towards the Mill Brook.  The Mill Brook runs the other way, clock wise, around Misty Mountain.  It starts in dramatic fashion with a high waterfall at the source and I often love to visit its look off which you can drive up to.

I use the term "drive up to" rather loosely.  You'll need a four wheel drive vehicle with modest clearance to get there.  The roads aren't fully mapped so that gives you an indication to how rugged it might be.  Approaching from what locals call the Misty Mountain Road it is a steep ascent up the southwest portion of the mountain.  Deep gullies fill the road and you need to choose your path carefully or you could end up hung up.  As you near the top clear cuts currently become noticeable to your right and you get a great view towards Sussex and beyond that to the hills around Springfield.  It is a great view and an almost noble location that will always speak to those who know its greatness.

On my latest trip up there I had my kids and I was hoping to show them the waterfall and sharing with them the Mountains modest nobility.  Not everyone knows about its nobility though and I was frustrated to see that a great deal of garbage was thrown into the small stream at the top of the falls.  I couldn't believe it and I loaded my kids back into the truck without walking down to the look out.  Instead I drove a little further on where a large stump provides a great seat as you look back down the Valley. 

Many people gripe about clear cuts but at this point I was more frustrated with the illegal dumping than with the large clear cut swaths that now dominate this area.  The mountain is no stranger to clear cuts as it was likely cut over about 60 years ago.  The trees that replaced the ones cut back then were ready to be cut again and so, they were cut.  The steep slopes mean that not all the trees are cut and the streams still appear healthy when viewed from the channel.  Litter and trash though scar the landscape for years and don't regenerate like the trees.  Dump sites actually grow because when someone sees a dump site they think it is ok for them to dump too. Clear cuts provide vistas to see beyond the trees and stumps to sit on while you take in the view.  Dump sites simply stink and detract from the scenery both near and far.  Before you dump trash along a back road, no matter how far back, keep that in mind.  With waste management systems today it is easy to get rid of trash.  Heck you pay for the system through your taxes, so why would you pay for the fuel in your truck to dump it illegally.

Way to Go Sonics

This entry was published in the March 26, 2013 edition of the Kings County Record.  Since press time the Sonics lost in the cross-over game against Fredericton but despite that, the kids have created their legacy that they will talk about for years to come.  Way to go guys.  I really wish I had a good picture from my high school hockey days I could share, maybe on a later post.

High school was an exciting time for me.  It was an easy time too.  I had very little responsibility, I attended lots of social functions (a mature way to say parties), and I played a ton of sports.  I was a multi-sport athlete but my heart and soul went into playing hockey.  As luck would have it recently I was taken down memory lane and I wanted to acknowledge the contribution my high school hockey team had on me and now more recently, the current Sonic Boy's hockey team.

The 2013 Sonic boy's hockey team recently won the NB Southern Conference hockey championship and I want to congratulate them for that big victory.  I know how hard these boys worked to make that happen.  My Mom used to shake her head in frustration I'm sure as I would put twice the effort into hockey practice than my school work or chores.  The early morning practices twice a week, an afternoon practice, and then one or two games a week were physically demanding but I loved every minute of it.  The bus rides to St. Stephen with pranks and jokes and lots of heavily exaggerated stories, the excessively loud voices and laughter in the dressing rooms, and the warm up music all still sit fresh in my memory banks.  When I think about those days a smile creeps over my face and then I turn a little sullen as I think about what might have been.

In my senior year we came close.  We won the regular season championship only to be denied in the playoffs.  We were played out and struggled with injuries but made no excuses.  We won as a team and we lost as a team, thanks to all that time on the bus.  That group of guys, even today, likely feel a connection that will always be there because when one was disappointed we all were.

As I write this the Sonics are prepping to play a winner take all regional crossover game against the four time defending Provincial champions, Fredericton Black Cats.  Tonight I bet the boys struggle to get to sleep.  They'll be distant from those around them as they put their focus on the game ahead of them.  Right before the puck drops their stomachs will do a quick flip as their heart starts to race.  Once the puck hits the ice its game on and muscle memory, competitive drive, and adrenaline takes over.  The aches and pains from the regular season disappear for 60 minutes as they put the team before themselves.  There is little difference at this point between sweat and tears as their emotions are bared and raw.  Late in the game when their muscles can no longer push them, their emotions power them on, and allow them to find that last needed effort.

For the seniors it is so much more than just a hockey game.  It is a chance to create a legacy that will live in the halls of the school and the dressing rooms of the rink for years to come.  Win or lose the Sonic hockey team should be proud as they have already won a number of games but they have built up each other and made each other stronger.  Way to go guys.

I'm a Rink Rant who Needs a Rink

The below is from a column I had printed in the February 26, 2013 edition of the Kings County Record.  I softened it a little so it wasn't overly confrontational.  I strongly feel that in NB we all need to pull together to get our government to support more recreation, education, and health issues and leave the business up to business.  If we have the resources here and there is a market, business will come, either now or down the road.  In my mind down the road is likely more sustainable.  I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on what we can do to overcome this issue.

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I am likely to raise a little ire with what I'm about to write.  This may come across more as an editorial than a simple column so if you aren't interested in hearing my opinion, I suggest you move on to another column today.

 As a parent, a player, and volunteer for many of this areas sports and recreation organizations, I find it tough to observe the ongoing debate and division over local rinks and recreational facilities.  This isn't just a local problem, similar problems are occurring across our Province.  Grand Bay-Westfield is the most recent example of where a community is struggling to keep their arena operational.

Our government continues to provide a number of grants, subsidies, and poor loan guarantees which our tax dollars fund.  More often than not we get little in return for these investments, especially anything sustainable.  My question is why does the government not invest more into the operation of recreational facilities?  The Town of Sussex has stated they can no longer afford to shoulder the operating deficit on their own due to changes in the municipal grant system, which they now receive less of.  This has led them to find other ways to increase user revenues to cover costs.  I appreciate their position even though it puts me into a tough situation as well, especially when my son and daughter want to play hockey next year.

It upsets me (to put it politely), that our Provincial government can not step up, with the funds raised through the Atlantic Lotto Corp, or through resource royalties, and fix this problem.  They continue to throw money into business development corporations that do the research and monitoring work that in my opinion should be paid for by business.  You hear commercials from our Province stating they support initiatives that will help curb childhood obesity.  Now when its time for the rubber to hit the road, where are they?

Here in the Sussex region we have been pitched against one another.  I think we need to start asking our provincial government to step up.  They need to be serious about creating a healthy future where recreational facilities and functioning ecosystems are considered the proverbial ounce of prevention.  We have to accept some responsibility and look at ways we can control and reduce costs as well.  Maybe our vision of Minor Hockey has to change and we alter the divisions so more kids can play in the same division.  Maybe we need to restructure Hockey NB so teams travel less, saving parents money so they can afford higher registration fees. 

This can only be done if the Province steps up and helps local sport.  The elite and highly skilled athletes now have numerous ways to fund their endeavors so let's provide them with less and give the developing youth a chance.  My fear is that if the Province doesn't step up for the communities they serve our current hockey and skating programs could crash or the non-profit agencies that aid people struggling to keep their kids in sport will crash.  If the costs for minor hockey increase, participation drops, and thus, more rate increases will be needed to cover the shortfall and a devastating cycle begins.  The worse case scenario is that our local arena will close.  On the bright side it could bode well for the sport as more kids will turn to the frozen ponds and remove the business side from the sport.

Hoping for More Blessings Like These

The following was a column I had published in the Kings County Record on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.  I hope you enjoy the read as much as my mother did, although that might be hard to do as she is a bit biased.  Enjoy 2013.

 

It happens without warning.  There is no evidence that that moment will be great.  You are looking across a landscape admiring it for what it is, beautiful.  The symmetrical lines of ice along each bank of the river are highlighted by the darkness of the cold water running down the valley.  There is white snow hanging heavy off the spruce while the same snow sits lightly on the farm field on the opposite shore. 

The winter scene can be taken in at almost any bridge crossing in New Brunswick this time of year.  What made this one special?  What blessed this day?  Suddenly it happened.  Two deer stepped down out of the tree line and onto the ice.  I was on the bridge over the Hammond River taking photos for work but since I was still on my holiday time off, I had my son with me.  This further elevated the whole blessing.  We both took photos and stood open jawed in awe of the scene that was put before us.  We couldn't believe the dumb luck we had to witness the scene before us.  We laughed when a truck simply roared by and didn't even slow down to notice. 

I can only count, maybe, a handful of times this type of thing has happened to me.  This time was different because I shared it with my son and it happened over the holidays.  It drove home the so many things that I have to be thankful for through 2012.  The fact that I am able to get out and enjoy the many natural gifts this area has to offer is a big one.  If you take the time to put yourself into those situations, you subsequently experience more of those "wow" situations.  Sometimes the problem is not that we are privileged enough to witness such moments but rather we just don't recognize them.

On a canoe trip down the Millstream River a few years ago I approached a beaver dam and suddenly, just below the dam, a large buck stepped out into the river.  It was another great scene and I was able to take it in and appreciate it.  The other day, my Dad, who was with me that day, asked if I remembered the day.  We both had the same outlook on the memorable day.  It was rare and special.  The more time I spend outdoors in the wilderness however, the more I think "Huh, maybe it isn't so rare?"  As I write this column and I think about which special moment to write about I realize how many I've had.  The beaver in Falls Brook, the cow and calf moose in Newfoundland, the pair of moose in Maine, the osprey on Trout Creek and many more.  It isn't just animal sightings that inspire these moments; there have been sunsets and sunrises, lightning strikes, and even insects that have inspired me.  Again though, the hardest part is recognizing those moments when faced with them and avoid racing by them like the truck on the bridge where my son and I stood.

For 2013 I am making a resolution to create more of those "Wow" moments.  Further I want to share those moments with more people.  So far I have shared a moment with my son and I'm hoping there will be plenty more in 2013.  I hope you have a memorable 2013 too and take the time to get out and wander the woods.

A Great Christmas Parade with Exceptions

Did you see the number of people at the Sussex Christmas parade?  Main Street looked very impressive with the Christmas lights, music, people, and the parade.  Kids were laughing and having fun and adults were all chatting and from time to time warning the kids not to play in the street.  It was a great evening of family entertainment.

For those who feel I'm overly positive and never create enough controversy in my writing...guess what?  I wasn't completely happy with the parade.  Don't get me wrong. I loved the parade.  My discontent stems from the people who feel the need to parallel park, on a crosswalk, and leave the car running for the entire parade.  Onlookers of the parade were essentially forced to breath in the fumes the car was putting out.  I think the Town should consider a parking ban during the parade or consider a section where if you need to, you can park and idle if needed.  For me that isn't a great option because of the environmental impact.

Really why would anyone really need to idle their car for the entire parade?  The car doesn't get that cold over the hour long event.  If it does, pack more blankets so you'll be warm enough.

Just so I don't leave this on a bad note, I want to tip my hat to the Town of Sussex.  Well done with the one exception which I don't feel you should have to address, people should know better.

Ranting Against Youth Nature Deficit Disorder

Our family uses Fundy National Park regularly for our vacations.  Its much cheaper than Disneyland.

BLOGGER'S NOTE: I had this blog published in the Kings County Record recently.  I hope you enjoy it.

 

I've heard it said many times that there is a "Youth Nature Deficit Disorder."  This disorder is tough to swallow for a guy like me and I try to ignore it as much as possible.  Recently that became difficult when some youth I was mentoring indicated that out of the group, less than 20% had spent time outdoors in a tent.  This blew me away and I couldn't believe it.  It gave me a new resolve to increase the writing I do about outdoor activities and such and try to mentor more youth in outdoor adventure.

As I try to understand the problem further I am starting to think that it is not the youth with the issue but rather the parents.  Sorry folks but I have to put the blame where I feel it lies.  Now to be honest you can't be fully to blame, after all our economic needs have changed and have required that we work harder so we can afford our lavish lifestyle and all the organized sports that we want to play.  Don't get me wrong organized sports have a role too, heck I'm a minor hockey coach, so I'm not against youth sports.  As our cost of living has gone up and families have moved from one income to two, it has meant families have less time to vacation together.  Oh and when they do marketers have us believing we would be better to go to Disneyland or somewhere extravagant like that.

This last point is where I really get frustrated.  I don't need to pay hundreds of dollars to wait in line so I can shake hands with an oversized mouse, I can go in the backyard and find a real one and not pay a dime.  I don't need to meet a certain weight or height requirement to enjoy a 3 minute, thrill ride.  I can jump in a canoe and take one that can last for hours and for a bonus I can see not just two ducks, but I can see a whole flock.

As parents we seem to think that unless we take our kids to Disney or Seaworld or some other notable location that we are a failure.  I have been waging this battle myself and I'm not sure I'm winning.  I will make an effort to get my kids out for at least one hour of exploration a week, even if it means I have to take them out after dark.  Already my son and I are planning to spend a night out in a quinzhee this winter and that is definitely something you can't do at Disneyland.

I encourage all of you, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, big brothers or sisters, take someone younger than you out to explore.  You won't just find adventure, you'll find your mind letting go of financial worries and work stress.  Even better you won't incur the un-needed increase in both just to have vacation.  The memories of Disney will fade as will those made in the local forest but won't fade are the bonds you create while spending time with family.  Do we really need to travel more than 5500km producing 263g of greenhouse gas for every kilometer on average.  If the environmental argument is good enough than take a look at the price of fuel today ($1.23 in Sussex) and consider that a car gets 12km/l, roughly.  That means that if you were to drive it would cost almost $590 just to get there…oh and by the way gas is cheap in Sussex right now.

So again get out side here locally.  Heck if you need ideas of where to go or what to do search out some of my old columns.

The video is rough but shows how even a puddle on a sculpture is like Seaworld to a small child.  There were no lines and everyone was having fun.

Getting off the Trail in Sussex

What a fantastic day.  It is approaching mid November and the temperature today reached 16C according to the thermometer on my truck.  My wife and I took advantage of my rare day off and took the kids for a long walk along the nature trail from Sussex to Sussex Corner.  We met a friend and her two boys in Sussex and walked to Sullivan Park in Sussex Corner.  The warm temperatures meant that we could walk in t-shirts and enjoy the warm sun on our faces.

On every turn of the Trout Creek there were mallards swimming playfully and the kids loved watching them take flight.  Blue jays flitted low to the ground and their bright blue feathers stood out now with no leaves in the trees to keep them hidden.  The aging poplars, that are so abundant along the trail, provided a great lunch for a hairy woodpecker that my wife spotted while I was showing the kids the blue jays.  The whole day we were serenaded by chickadees but it took me a while to listen.

The trail was relatively dry and the older boys jumped at the opportunity to explore off the trail when I offered it up.  The flood plain was even dry and the well spaced ash, poplar, and birch allowed the boys to jump and climb what ever they could.  It was cool watching them explore.  The naturalist in me noticed how many poplar there were and how old they were.  I also noticed that there was very little undergrowth to replace the aging hardwoods.  There were lots of deer tracks around but I saw none but the number could explain the low understory cover.

It was a great day and it paid to get off the main trail.  We walked more than anticipated and it was a battle to put the kids to bed tonight.  When we have to battle like that it usually means they are really tired and it takes all of ten minutes for them to fall asleep.  That means that tonight I can do some writing.  I hope you enjoy what I wrote.

A Bit of a Pet Peeve

I was driving down Main Street in Sussex today and witnessed something that frustrated me.  I was driving my work truck with the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee magnets on the side.  If it was the first time this summer I had seen this it might not have bothered me so bad but this was the third time.  If I had a more confrontational personality this environmental crime would not have gone unpunished.  Luckily for the woman committing the crime I let it go, after all, it is not actually criminal but in my opinion it should be.

So what did she, and two others, do that frustrated me?  She was emptying out a bucket of wash water directly into the storm drain.  So why should this be an environmental crime?  Well, when you empty anything directly into the storm drain it usually has a direct path to a natural stream or river.  This means what ever grease and oil you cleaned off your car, windows, or whatever and throw down the storm drain it could potentially pollute your nearby stream.  If every one did this can you imagine the impact. Who knows what was in the bucket the lady emptied out but even the cleaners you might use are harmful to water quality and fish and other aquatic species.

Even when we park our cars at the grocery store, if we have fluids leaking, they will find their way into the storm drains and then into the rivers.  Next time when you're in a large parking lot find a storm grate and look around for the telltale sheen of oil following the low drainage areas of the parking lot.  Then look at all the cars in the lot and consider if every car leaked how much oil or gas that could be entering the local streams.

There are programs that try to draw attention to this issue but the results are hard to quantify and so to is the impact that such actions have.  As for a car leaking fluids, I know it is next to impossible to stop, but if you can keep your car tuned up to reduce such leaks.  Every bit helps.

Re-Evaluating how We Develop Recreational Opportunities

This entry was published in the Kings County Record a week ago.  My hope is that people who read it will think about how we promote and develop outdoor recreation infrastructure.  I hope it makes you think.

Was this bridge and river side parking lot necessary to improve recreation and tourism along the Fundy Coast?

 

I'm hoping this column will prompt you to consider the value of future developments in our pursuit of greater tourism dollars and outdoor recreation for everyone.  Sometimes, in the name of recreation, people justify altering nature so that they might better enjoy themselves.  This might come across a bit harsh, but I want people to think about, and possibly re-evaluate how, we develop nature. 

In the Sussex area we are blessed to have a beautiful walking trail.  A couple of years ago they decided to "develop wetlands" along the trail to improve the experience.  My question is; what was wrong with what was there in the first place?  Why couldn't we just appreciate what was already there?  I will enjoy the wetlands that are now there, and indeed I think they may actually serve a modest natural function as well but so too did the landscape that was their prior to the wetlands.

After the wetlands went in the Town decided to develop a dog park, which is rumored to be further enhanced soon.  I have a dog and I can understand the need for a space to take my dog.  Trust me my dog needs space and the poor trees in my backyard can attest to that.  When I go for a hike the dog is now a solid companion.  I still need to work on her fishing etiquette but she has lots of time for that yet.  Sorry, I'm off track.  Nature provides us with an excellent dog park so I don't know why we would spend resources on creating a fenced in, un-shaded, dog park. There is no better place to exercise your soul, body, and your dog, than in nature.  Your dog likely still feels constricted behind the fence of the dog park so why not let him run a little in the woods and fields around Cornhill or Apohaqui.

Similarly, I would say that we need to re-evaluate how we invest resources into building trails.  Those resources might be better spent elsewhere. This might seem a bit odd coming from someone who promotes hiking and active living but I also promote natural ecosystems and sustainability.  I'm not saying there isn't a need for groomed trails and dog parks.  I am suggesting that we need to re-evaluate our infrastructure and development needs before altering what Mother Nature has created.  Bush whacking through a spruce thicket is better exercise than walking a nicely groomed trail and gives us a better sense of where we came from as well.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the Fundy Trail Parkway.  A number of years ago there was a push to increase tourism in our region.  To do so we have potentially altered the natural area that we seek to promote and made it very unnatural.  It is very unlikely that this development will truly have a financial gain, with the exception being to the maintenance contractors who will continually pave and upkeep the roads and other infrastructure. 

I do not stand opposed to development but would like to tip the scale a little to give nature a greater weight when deciding what type of development we need.  Cities and towns in recent years have built expansive one story buildings on prime agricultural ground or flood plains when two blocks away there might have been derelict buildings or underdeveloped lots.  As we move forward we need to consider how future developments will impact our natural surroundings and when possible we should fully minimize any developmental footprint created.

Stairs such as these create maintenance costs and if not maintained a safety hazard.  As a tax payer how do you feel about maintaining them?

A Relaxing Walk While Competing

Thanks for the pic Jamie Roach

Through past experiences that led to other columns I often have come to realize how I am aging.  One sport that I recently thought I'd like to try again is golf.  As a kid I spent my summers at one of three locations; the ball field, a good fishing hole, or on the golf course.  Once I had to start paying intermediate membership rates however, my golfing heavily decreased.   The majority of golf I play now is on the computer that I use to write my columns.  On the online World Golf Tour, I play as a pro with a 6 handicap but hardly burn a calorie through 18 holes.  Even with the online opportunity I still only play maybe 3 rounds a month, after all my lap top is for writing not playing.

A little over a week ago I was able to take part in a one day golf social as part of the local Chamber of Commerce tournament.  I was a bit nervous heading into the day as I was scared I would not be able to reach my own expectations or those of my own teammates.  The tournament was a four ball scramble which means we take the best ball for each shot with some exceptions.  My biggest fear was that we wouldn't want to ever play my ball.  Luckily my golf game was not as rusty as I thought it might be.

I struggled through the first two holes but my drive on the third hole was long enough that we used it for our first shot on the hole.  My next shot was terrible however as I shanked a five wood.  Golf is frustrating that way but when you hit a sweet shot you are hooked once again.  It is an up and down relationship for a player like me and it is that roller coaster and the challenge of keeping my emotions in check that has always got my competitive juices flowing.

Despite my online WGT ranking, I'm no where near a pro so I can't give anyone tips on golf.  I can say that it is a game that everyone should try because you don't have to be good to enjoy the walk.  In the Sussex area we are blessed with many courses and each has its selling features and no doubt everyone can find a course they enjoy, even if it is just for the walk.  Walking is the greatest exercise and after carrying your clubs and walking 18 holes you'll believe it.  After my first 18 holes of 2012 I know I sure could feel it.  My right wrist ached, my back was as tight as a drum, and I was exhausted, and we had taken a cart. 

If I recall, I always played better when I walked than when I played out of a golf cart.  The reason for this was that I could stay more relaxed when I walked.  I could let my mind wander away from golf for a bit and take the competition out of it.  The biggest competition in golf for me was myself and when I relax I play better.  I encourage everyone to get out on your favorite course and relax.

Flattering Thougtfulness

This is kind of cool.  The Sussex Literary Initiatives and Cultural Events group has asked me to mentor part of a writing workshop to be held in Sussex.  The date is June 2nd but I will fill you in on details as they become available.

This is very flattering, as I am certain there are many people involved that could easily host such a mentoring session for youth.  It is nice to learn that my writing is being recognized in writing circles.  When you continue to write and simply do it for the enjoyment of writing, I think, good things simply happen.  I look forward to this event and likely learning more than I might teach.

A Ward's Creek Surprise

This is an article I had published in the January 24, 2012 Kings County Record.  It was inspired by a hike I took with a work colleague.  We were investigating the topography around a watershed that we have been working at restoring as part of my job as the Project Manager for the Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee.  It is days such as this one that drive home the reason why I don't work for money but rather for the enjoyment of my job.

 

This porcupine was one of many we found in this scenic area.  A small but rewarding wilderness area.

Nature is always full of surprises.  That is one of the bigger reasons why I love getting out and enjoying it.  Sometimes the weather changes suddenly and a summer shower changes the whole outlook on a day and makes it, strangely, more enjoyable.  Maybe you're walking across an expansive farm field and a large buck prances out in front of you leaving your heart racing and short of breath.  I could go on and on but I want to tell you about a surprise I recently received.

If you read my column regularly you'll know that I often am looking for ridges to hike and during the summer of 2011 I spotted one while driving along Route 111.  It took me until January of 2012 to get there.  From the road the ridge looked like it was hiding a ravine but I wasn't sure and the topographic maps and on-line map sources didn't show a great deal.  This really had me curious and so I headed out one afternoon with a colleague.

We parked along Route 111 and then worked our way across Ward's Creek.  Once across the Creek the terrain becomes very steep and as we work along the side of the hill large boulders are strewn through the woods.  They serve as an indication as to what lay ahead.  We aren't following any specific trail but we do find a farm road that heads in the direction we think we need to go.  We decide to move off the road and head further up the hill as we feel we need to actually crest the hill to find the hidden ravine,  I think is there.  As we stumble onto another farm trail I see the rock face that I spotted from Route 111 and it is much bigger than what I imagined.

Looking down the valley along the top of the ridge.

The rock face is not extremely high but does stand well above the surrounding landscape and extends more than 100m in length.  Beech, maple, and birch trees dominate the narrow valley floor while spruce and pine stand along the top of the face.  Scree is scattered along the foot of the rock wall and makes walking difficult.  The conglomerate rock is solid with large boulders imbedded into its cement like texture.  The whole scene stands out in front of me and leaves me feeling a bit giddy.  It was so much more than what I had anticipated and it was going to throw another surprise.

I explored the barren looking rock and some of the cracks in the wall seeking for a route I could climb up over the face.  As I looked up one such crack I noticed a large amount of porcupine scat, then as I looked up further I saw three porcupines sleeping while wedged into the crack.  I moved down to the next crack and actually climbed up approximately 30m to the top of the ridge.  As I took in the scenery below me I heard some rustling to my right and when I turned I saw another porcupine.  I was able to snap a number of great pictures and take some video of it as it made its way down the rock face.  To be honest, I had no idea; porcupines were that comfortable on rock. 

From the top of the scree the rock face was pretty much straight up.

We circled to the top end of the ravine and worked our way back to the valley bottom.  There would be no more big surprises for the hike but a cool spring on the descent was mildly surprising.  We followed its waters down to the road we had walked earlier and made our way back across the nearly frozen Ward's Creek.  The hike left me wishing I could find more time to take more such wanders through the woods. 

The map below shows the route we hiked on this day.  If you go out make sure you treat the land with respect and leave it better than you find it.  

 
View Ward's Creek Lookout Hike in a larger map