Ilse de la Madeleine After a few months of meticulous planning we finally had the car packed, bicycles loaded and were waiting for the alarm to go off early the next morning for our adventure to begin. Well I should say a few months of Ysabel planning...Thanks Ysabel. I'm more of the fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy, no expectations, no schedules to keep...that sort of guy. First before starting my story I have to say I am reluctant writing this. Ilse de la Madeleine is one of those hidden gems that you wouldn't want to... Continue reading

Cross country skiing in Algonquin Park By going skiing in Algonquin Park, I’ve closed a loop, I’ve enjoyed the park in all seasons now and although only a day trip it was spectacular non-the-less. It took a little convincing on my part for Ysabel to go there. “Only a short drive.” “A lot closer then Gatineau park.” Etc, etc. Well to me it was only a short drive…I just had finished a course in Borden in December so I drove through the park almost every weekend, and to my recollection Algonquin was really close. We set off at 10h30, a... Continue reading

Le p’tit train du nord I never thought I would be bicycle touring for a vacation but with a love for bicycles and a love of camping it seemed like a natural progression. Le p’tit train du nord is an... Continue reading

Ok...if you thought my day was over think again. At 6:30 pm....18h30 for you army people...I get a call from Ottawa..Meyer's transport. First let me explain...31 Mar is the last day for the military budget...so everything has to be in location, and on the floor before midnight...thank goodness it wasn't midnight but I digress... First I get a call from the driver...who has never been on base before...he's in Pembroke...and will be there soon. My Daughter still has my car...crap..eco day is just gonna continue so I bike into work. So maybe the sweating and breathing hard wasn't due to... Continue reading

Ok, if you can't laugh at yourself who can you laugh at. So today it was sunny, but just zero degrees so I thought, I'm going to ride my bike but it's cool so I'll wear my jacket and toque and gloves... Oh look, a lucky medalion that one of my ex's gave me...maybe I should wear it for luck. Just over the half way point to work my peddaling got easy...too easy. I looked down just in time to see I had NO chain...WTF Getting off the bike I had to make the decision...walk to work with my bike... Continue reading

A restless night Fatigue never enters the realm of my mind As I become yet a spectre in my own house. Peering out into the illuminated winter skies From the blackness within, From window to window I roam As I patrol my domain. Nightmarish thoughts haunt my sleep Of deeds seen and done as faces from My past visits me, friend and stranger alike. I watch my lover as her slumber is sound. She is the true vision I wish to see, A breathing beauty. Only if my peace was that of hers. Continue reading

A winter’s night Tonight as I put on my skis the winter’s wind Bit deep into my skin. Drifts of deep snow blocked the way to go. On my left western Quebec barely loomed Trees covered in white, bare birch stark stood out Black inky water spoiled the ice as islands Stood stranded with no passage like apparitions. A trail not yet taken by man nor beast on this Cold winter’s night. Legends of the snow walker haunted my thoughts As the evening sky transformed from mauve To indigo as an arch light pierced the horizon. The light house still... Continue reading

A Sunday Ski As a bitter Northwest wind pushed snow at my back, The river boiled its cold grey water interrupted only by The frothing white caps. The swish, swish swishing of cross country skis are drowned Out by the arctic wind whipping through the trees. The normal creaking of the swaying maple With the bark on bark of spring and summer Is replaced today with the groaning of A tree with its sap frozen and the Wave not graceful the threatening of a trunk Wanting to explode and not sway. With a hunter’s eye a glimpse of antlers Under... Continue reading

My father's paddle; This weekend has been bitter sweet, Friday the anniversary of my fathers passing; Saturday my youngest brother has gone off to the alter to be married; and Sunday, Sunday is an afternoon paddle on a calm river. Not only a Sunday paddle, but a leisurely paddle on the Ottawa River; The canoe is my pride and joy the only possession I cherish. The paddle I use is my fathers', a fathers day gift from long ago. It is a beautiful chestnut brown, with a light heft; The shaft is thin and flexible, the handle worn; The blade... Continue reading