“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever” ( Cousteau)

Well, I know the dogs were in awe at all the smells, sounds, and sights, as they visited the ocean for the first time! The dismal spring weather ( 6 inches of snow yesterday, and 6 inches of freezing rain,snow,and ice predicted for tomorrow)  has driven us to the point where we just had to find some spring somewhere!  So we headed out to southern NH, to take in the New England Paddlesports show.  We met lots of nice folks, heard interesting presentation about kayaking in the arctic , saw some fantasy canoes and kayaks,  confirmed that we are really not interested in SUPs, and generally began to get real antsy for the upcoming paddle season!  It would be pretty cool to win the GoPro camera in the raffle!

At the UNH Field House…lots of interesting paddling gear

Since the dogs were so well behaved while waiting for us in the car, they received a nice treat…a trip to the ocean! A “lovely”, but thankfully short,  trip through suburban traffic and strip malls ( quite foreign to us), was the price we paid to get to the NH coast, where we found a beach in Rye,NH that was being used by surfers, runners,walkers, and lots of dogs!  Our dogs, the mountain pups, were faced with miles of beach, crashing waves, and water that chased them…they had a ball!

The dogs were very interested in the sea gulls, and piles of seaweed on the beach. Edgar did not really understand why we would not let him drink from all that water! Gryphon is field-testing some boots for a dog gear manufacturer; they were a good safety feature in some of the more rugged, rocky parts of the beach.  We did let him feel the soft,cool, wet sand on his bare feet, though, and he left some awesome paw prints, that will be gone when the tide comes in….

Gryphon says  “now this is terrain I am familiar with!”

I think Edgar would like to return to the sea….

So now we are all excited for canoeing season. In theory, in 2 months we will be paddling . However, we have to wait for quite a bit of snow to melt, before we can even access our canoe storage!

So after a winter marked by 36 days with temperatures below zero, and many days of dangerous wind chill levels…..does this magical equinox mean all is fair? Not in Vermont, where spring snows, cold, and storms are not uncommon. This has not been a record breaking winter, just the coldest since 2007 ( 41 days with below zero temps!). On Memorial Day weekend 2013, we had snow, so maybe we still have some strange weather in the offing!

A sloggy snowshoe, in 47 degree temps, just before the rain arrived….

The March 13 storm dumped 2 feet of snow, making for fun playing, and challenging snowshoeing. Thoughts of green grass, fresh,warm breezes, and cool summer nights are invading our thoughts.

The snow was so heavy and deep, it collapsed the old sugarhouse on this trail network.

Edgar hoots at the snow..he loves it!

The dogs were able to both get out skijoring…in the sun and in one of our snowstorms.

Snowy and blowy!

Edgar really into the pulling!

We head off to a PaddleSports show in a few weeks…the sight of canoes and kayaks in water (even if it is a pool!) will certainly be welcome!

 In 2014, spring began with the vernal equinox on March 20 at 12:57 P.M. Edgar greeted the new season with a regal stance, overlooking the water where we’ll be paddling in less than two months!

Last moments of winter…..

Yes, most folks around here head south to escape the temperatures below zero, blowing snow and brutal winds. This winter has seen a plethora of days with such conditions, so we have been optimistically thinking of warmer days ahead, and planning for summer canoe camping excursions. Recently we left behind the cold of Vermont….for the even colder conditions in the mountains of Western Maine.  We brought along X-C skis, the kicksled, snowshoes, micro-spikes, and lots of warm technical clothing.  Our plan—have fun with the dogs while we scope out Cupsuptic Lake, Aziscohos Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, and many other prospective summer sites .  We found the lakes ( very frozen,snow covered, and tracked by snow-machines…perfect for kick-sledding), some really nice hiking spots, a lovely dog friendly X-C center, and a waterfront hotel that welcomes dogs! So, despite the bitter temperatures that restricted some of our activities, we had a successful excursion. Next time we head over, the Swift Kipawa will be on the roof!

We had hot cocoa at Picnic Point, on Saddleback Lake–a beautiful and peaceful spot!

Beautiful trails…but a bit too firm for skijoring, at an unfamiliar area. ( The staff made us wear snowshoes on the groomed trails). We had the place to ourselves!

Gryphon is waiting for his trailside lunch..no hot chili for him, just Buddy Biscuits!

Outside our motel room..a lovely , hardy, Cedar Waxwing enjoying the sun.

Edgar could really run, across the frozen snow on Rangeley Lake.

We stopped for a hike on the way home..NorthWoods Stewardship Center. Sunny , but still cold.

On the way home, we saw a pair of Bald Eagles…one was munching on his lunch, about 75 yards from the road.

Dixville Notch,NH…”First in the nation”

So many lakes, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, mountains, islands…really looking forward to a return visit!

Yes, some glorious sun this week! With lots of fresh snow, this past week got off to a “deep and steep” start, and finished with a sun-baked skijor in 38 degree temps.  But, as is the norm around here, it cannot last. Tonight and tomorrow’s forecast includes those nasty meteorological words “rain” and “sleet and freezing rain”.

Both dogs love breaking trail..but this may be a bit much!

Knee deep..at least it was fairly light stuff.

Edgar is enrolled in a Focus Skills class…to help him on the trail; ( well, more accurately, to help us on the trail). He was focused on this hike!

We have been trying to get out on skis and snowshoes as much as possible, prepping for an upcoming trip to the wilds of Maine…our ideal weather would be 35 degrees, and bright sun, with a soft carpet of nice white snow on the trails.. Just like we had for a few days on a new local trail network!

We did have one skijor trip during a pretty heavy snowfall…the way Griff squints as the snow hits his face, thinking maybe he needs Doggles!

So we are at the mercy of the weather gods…24 hours from now, we’ll have a better idea of what the weekend will bring. As the famous explorer Sir Rannulph Fiennes said, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”  We have the required gear and clothes, the dogs were born with theirs…so we’ll head out somewhere, and do something, and make some more great memories.

UPDATE…so the rain never caused a problem, the sun came out….40 degrees, for 2 stupendous days!

Above the water, where we spend many hours in the summer, in the canoe!

It was quite warm, so after a drink of water and a cookie, Griff decided that the cool snow would feel nice….

On the top of the Corps of Engineers Dam….the wind was brisk, but it was refreshing.

The week started off with a brief warm spell…30 whole fahrenheit degrees mid-day, and  a little fresh snow.  Griff was anxious to get out, so off we went, for a short, easy, ski near our home. I was taking it easy with Griff, because he has developed a “quirky tail”…his bodacious curly tail one of his most obvious physical features was somehow recently injured. Perhaps a case of “limber tail” aka “swimmers tail”, or “cold tail”.  (http://www.askavetquestion.com/limbertail.php ). A trip to the vet reassured us it is not broken, and may have been injured while rough-housing with Edgar. Some anti-inflammatory meds seem to be indicated. In any case, it does not seem to bother him at all, and he has been anxious to get out and be active.

The cold weather hit us with a bang again on Tuesday, so it was not until Thursday that we trekked out again.  My sister-in-law is also an avid outdoors-woman, so we took both dogs out, to a local trail that runs along a river that ( in the summer) roars as it rushes over falls and through chasms. This day, it was peaceful and quiet, with beautiful ice formations. I used the trekking lead with Edgar, as he can be a bit more “active”, and my sister in law is not used to hiking with a trekking lead. At first, Griff was a bit unsettled with his not having ME behind him, but he quickly got with the program, and had a wonderful time. Both dogs appreciated the chance to get out together mid-week!

Aunt Jackie and her Trail Buddies!

Where is that curly tail?

Friday was a chance to get out skijoring again…our 5 mile recreation path was freshly groomed, so we had soft, untracked corduroy…Griff kept his steady,loping pace, and I only had one wipe-out!

On trail! Skiing alongside the West Branch of the Little River….5 miles downstream of where we hiked the day before!

The forecast for Saturday involved a messy mix of rain,sleet and snow arriving in the afternoon. So we headed out early, for an amazing trail network located near the  “Granite Capital of the World”, Barre,VT. It was microspikes conditions, 28 degrees, and partly sunny…we saw not another hiker, but the dogs found lots of great wildlife smells! This is primarily a mountain bike center, but in the winter is open, with free access, for skiers and snow shoers.

“The 50 historic quarry sites with their water filled abandoned quarries and evocative quarry ruins provide some of the most unique scenery in Vermont. The dozen or so rock pile lookouts, surprisingly accessible, provide amazing scenic vistas, at times extending almost 75 miles”.

In the summer, the quarries are filled with emerald green water…at this time of year, they are pristine white sheets, and the trails negotiate the rocky cliffs and outcroppings.

Only about 30 feet down to the water here.

At Cobblestone Corner

A LONG way down from here, and long views across the quarry.

There is railing only on the right side…Edgar didn’t seem to mind, but Griff was not thrilled!

So, as February comes upon us, we look forward to the return of fluffy snow, sunny days, warmer temps, and a very special curly tail!

Well, the snow gods may not have smiled on us, but they gave us a little smirk…3 inches of light snow. This snow was barely enough for us to get out the kicksled….we were anxious to try out a new harness for Gryphon, and new waterproof boots for me! A local field that had avoided the recent grey, frozen ice-ups of the trails would have to serve.

Griff is “nose to the grindstone” style, and Edgar is a bit more of the pogo-stick style!

The new harness, a Howling Dog Alaska Wheel Dog Ultra ( fancy name!) is designed to prevent pressure on the dogs hips, and is reportedly good for kicksled use.  Interestingly, the day after I ordered it, Kev Roberts of Skijor OxfordDogs posted a review of this harness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9gohWZD4jo&list=UUPcAn5czIA_phE4qtwm_PhA&feature=share

Working on commands, and turns….

 At first Griff did not know what to do…the longer harness sits longer and lower over his back end, and he seemed to think it meant he was supposed to sit down! Once we got him all hooked up with Edgar by his side, he seemed to catch on…oh yeah, run and pull! The new harness also brings the connection to the bridle a bit lower, so that it is the same height as Edgar’s connection.

It will be nice to be able to skijor and kicksled on the trails again…all we need is a foot of snow!

(Next blog post has video of today’s adventures)

Well, we have been on quite a weather roller coaster here lately. It has presented some challenges in terms of getting out with the dogs. It has been tough even for northern Vermont!

Precipitation..has included rain, freezing rain, graupel, snow…but chart does not show the amount of ice buildup, nor the unpleasant snow loss.

The dogs have been suffering from cabin fever, since our outings this past week have been sporadic. Today,we go out…no matter what the environment presents us with, we will be ready!

Delightful temperature swings!

So here is documentation of our hike today…some hiking in “mashed potatoes”, some on shiny, wet, ice…and all while the skies were grey,and the wind was whistling. Didn’t matter…the dogs had a great time!

No skijoring or sledding on this trail today!

What’s a little water and ice?…it’s warm out! (35 degrees)

Soft landings!

The river was running fast and cold…carrying large chunks of ice downstream.

Essential for today:

Kahtoola Microspikes