Water, Woods, Wear

We've had some nice evenings this spring for paddling. The lake has been pretty quiet as far as boat traffic, keeping the loons and swans and other waterfowl around.

Paddling with Jack last week on a still evening.


I've crossed the Ottertail river probably a 100 times this spring. Going through the Tamarac refuge, (the source) hiway 34 or hiway 10, you cross it multiple times. I have never paddled down it. Saturday between kid shuffling, dropped Jack off in Rochert with the kayaks. I drove down to the 34 crossing by Charlie's tubing. Road my bike back up to the start and Jack and I kayaked the 3 miles. The hour trip was perfect. Nothing to rapid but a beaver dam we had to get around and managed to do so without getting out or wet. Jack did roll at the end at the smaller bridge that had a "fall" but just a few minutes until the end and a fun little adventure. Starting at round like by Ice Cracking down to Hiway 10 would make for a nice two day trip with a overnight along the way.

Nothing too rough but enough to pick the speed up nicely.

Nothing too rough but enough to pick the speed up nicely.

 Working around the beaver dam. Jack took charge picking the way through.

 Mellow section. Lot of wood ducks sitting on the river, grouse drumming, and a few turkeys sighted.

 

Saturday was prom. Jake and Jess. What to "wear" handled nicely by mom.

 North of Maplelag off the goat ranch road is the Sugarbush trail and Sugar creek road. I have ridden on these two trails countless times but Friday discovered some new trails I have never been on before that cut in between the two. There are a lot of trails that shoot off the side. It was dry except for a few potholes holding water.

 Jens and Jack at piano recital on Sunday. Might possibly be the last one?!?

 Got Jake's Salsa going for Jens over the weekend. Jake's first real mtb he raced with. Jens was so jacked to be pushing big wheels, gears and suspension making the singletrack riding easier. Jumping jacks in between to curb the enthusiasm.  "Dad, I don't want to ride the ski trail, thats boring....let's just ride singletrack!" Love it. Great stuff.

Jon's evening campfire with buddies. Just glad the house was standing in the morning.

Jon's evening campfire with buddies. Just glad the house was standing in the morning.