Passing a year, A day at a time.

[qp]

Poles are put up. Canoes and paddles hung to dry. Soon ice will form and what will you do? The frost was on the pumpkin this morning and Fall is my favorite time of year. Some are paddling their last few days some like me are wishing we were paddling. But soon the last leaf will fall and Winter will be here Yes my favorite time of year! What will you do? Fly south like the Loon? Stay in the cabin till spring like the bear? Or prowl thru the forest like a wolf in the snow?
Soon the short days will start to gain longevity. Again my favorite time of year. Turning the Cabin Fever days and nights into planning and seeking out your individual needs. I ask what will you do? As the ice rots and in the need for it to turn into water. Will it quench our individual needs of thirst? To glide your canoe with the strength of a stroke only you can feel once again we move into my favorite time of year. I ask this, what will you do?
A year has past as I sit and look around at my surroundings. I feel young at heart but old in knowing the truth. That tomorrow I'll awake as I did this day and ask What will I do?
Simple and complete within a wilderness we all live. It really doesn't matter where we go or what we do. It matters that we see everything around us. And most important that we know already what we will do.
I ask this last time, What will you do?

[Orygoner]

There will be plenty of outdoor activity in Oregon. We'll go skiing (cross country and downhill), play in the snow and tube with the grandkids, canoe on the coastal lakes and streams, hike lower elevation trails.

Of course there is the eternal quest for the winter steelhead and an occasional foray onto an open trout stream.

I will cook outdoors all winter (not every day, but frequently) in the Dutch Ovens.

Yard work goes on year-round. I have actually had a year or two where I mowed the grass at least once in every month of the year. Rarely does a February pass without a mowing.

I will spend much time planning for next year's outings...pouring over maps. This is an exercise that can consume endless time for me.

I will tie many flies - never as many as I swear I am going though.

I will read outdoor books and will spend much too much time on this message board and others. ;D

And, then I'll wonder where the winter went and how spring could be so far along, so fast...

[Canoearoo]

With winter upon like a crisp morning dawn
I tie on my snow shoes go looking for white hews.
When the adventure is done I head home for more fun.
And ice fishing is here with the onces I hold dear.
To sum up the day I seek out a way, to ski near a bay.
Finally cuddling by fire, the warmth makes us tire
So I get so much closers and crank up the roaster then we become toastier

[Debbie]

Well let's see, what will i do this winter?

The Wreath season is among us now and I'm still trying to get motivated to get the PR portion of that going. So I'm sure there will be many hours of planning and selling. Not to mention the scrudes and scratches once production begins.

With three teenagers, - two of which are new drivers - I'm certain there will be many hours that I would like to be online but need to keep the phone lines open until destinations are met, at least.

Considering I work for a Truck Dealership I'm sure the 4X4 business will become more demanding very soon.

I am hoping for a Sewing machine for my birthday this month, my first ever, therefore I hope to learn to make most of what we will be wearing in the coming year. Plus I would like to learn to quilt.

However, my number one goal for this winter is to convince my Northern Wilderness Loving Husband to move me the "HECK" out of this boring state. Encouragement from his friends may help. ;D

Mrs. QP

[troutbreath]

I can't quite address this post yet... I am still clinging to the hope of some good weather. My canoes have hung way too much in the second half of this summer for me to be willing to give in just yet. Ask me in another month and I might be willing to think about it!

TB

[Yellowbird]

Fall switching to Winter here in Yooperville. I've been as busy as a grey squirrel with the wood supply. Now its time to spend Saturdays in front of the fireplace. Set the alarm for 6 a.m. Get up, get the fire going, boil a pot of camp coffee and pull the chair up close. On the end table is several books, a note pad, a twice read BWJ (maybe more). The birdfeeder has brought in the chickadees just after daybreak. The bluejays will chase them out shortly. If I'm lucky, more than one pair of cardinals will come in later on. I've got 2 maybe 3 hours before the munchkins get up. They will come down the stairs and crawl up in my lap. Snuggle is the first order of the day for them. They look forward all week to dad being home on Saturday morning. Pancakes have become a tradition and I can count on plenty of participation. Cabin fever, not so fast. I'll see you in March!
-YB

[qp]

A post I made a little over a year ago. I was thinking it is fitting to bring it to the top again.
After reading IC's post on Crossing Thin Ice I was remembering this post. Thinking that surely there are others crossing the ice this winter? Or even those crossing the water in those areas where Cabin Fever is non existent?
Anyway this year is much different for qp over the last. As it looks like two trips to Quetico are a possibility next year. Planning started several weeks ago. My Q Room has grown from a room of 10 x 12 to a room of 12 x 16 ;D So the winter wilderness these days seems much bigger than that of a year ago. I know it's not the true wilderness but on those cold winter days it gets me real close to it.
I'm considering getting into fishing a little more next year. I've been reading up on a possible new hobby (like I need that), as if I don't have enough going on right now? But all the same it keeps things fresh for me. This new hobby is that of making replica antique fishing lures. Though it might be hard for me to actually use the ones I attempt to make in the woods (er, I mean water). Unless I were to make three of each one.
1. One to put in the Q Room display.
2. One to fish with in the Q next year.
3. One to have on hand when the fish are biting good, and as a gesture to give to my partner so he can catch fish too.

I still feel young at heart even knowing I'm a Grandpa now .
And tomorrow I'll awake as I did this day and ask myself. What will I do today? Hmmm! I'll dream of big fish, swim in cool water, and paddle like crazy to the next portage. Yep thats exactly what I'll do. How about you?
qp