I am sorry I do not have any pictures to add to this post. It has been about mid 20's (F) in the mornings and around mid to high 40's (F) in the afternoon here in Wisconsin, so my dog Jake and I decided to rack the 15 foot Chestnut Prospector one for more weekend of paddling and exploring the timber. Saturday was dead calm with the sun shining down on a glass like lake. It felt so good to feel the canoe under me responding to the paddle in that gentle "sure footed" way she always does as we watched the leaf strewn shoreline glide by. We were the only ones on the water - it was as quiet as it was beautiful. I really appreciated the day paddling as I usually do not get to canoe in Wisconsin in December.

After we explored a bit of shore line, we parked the canoe in the timber and went walking. I so love to explore the rock outcropped hills with my dog, he is so lithe the way he effortlessly jumps the rocks and downed logs. After a good walk we got back into the canoe and took our time going back to the truck, what an excellent day.

This morning, after church Jake and I again racked the canoe and headed back to the lake. It was sunny, with a slight breeze, but the temps were not rising as quickly as yesterday and it was a cool 37 when we began our day. Again, it felt so good to be back in the canoe, and like yesterday we had the entire place to ourselves. As we paddled around a bend it was evident this "shadowed side" of the lake was quiet a bit cooler - the sound of the canoe breaking the skim of ice seemed to unsettle Jake a bit. I was a bit unsettled as well wondering if the canvas might be cut from the sharp ice we were breaking up. As we paddled on, we found a nice "out of the way" piece of timber to explore. Jake loved jumping and climbing the blow downs and rock outcroppings. As we continued I noticed a lot of deer sign, heavily used trails, rubs, even some hair that was removed, full of burdocks. I may have discovered another place to spend some time with my longbow in the future.

Completing our timber romp, Jake and I headed back for the canoe. We plied the shore noticing submerged logs, old fish beds and recently placed muskrat traps. The sun was still shining, but the breeze had picked up a bit more - the temps had not. Jake was getting cold and it was time to head back home. We tied the canoe on back on the truck and were on our way. Parked in the drive way, and putting the canoe for the last time on my shoulders heading to the shed all I cold think about was I can not wait for spring!

May your winter pass quickly and peacefully,

Bob.

Sounds awesome. You may also be getting the winter storm much of Minnesota will get Monday. Ending the canoe season.

I think I floated down the Great Miami river for the last time today. It sure was a nice day out here in Ohio.

quote QueticoMike: "I think I floated down the Great Miami river for the last time today. It sure was a nice day out here in Ohio."

I bet it was nice and quite. All to yourself.

There is nothing better than the sound of a wood/canvas canoe cutting through the water, or in your case skim ice. I assume the canvas was ok?

Thanks for that imagery.
And I learned a new word today...burdock.
I had never seen that word before.

jwartman59 ,

Yup the canvas is no worse for wear - thankfully! That boat has seen some country, but really does not look to beat up. Going for a paddle with her is kinda like hanging out with an old friend - it just feels like that.

Bob.

jcavenagh

Burdock - that vile weed is the scourge of the timber - natures Velcro. I think it is in the night shade family making its leaves poisonous - so nothing eats it. If you wear wool or have a fluffy pooch, you will grow to hate the stuff.

Bob.

Glad you got out, did my last paddle by Alma Wis. on the 3rd, about twenty degrees when I started only had to break a little ice to get where the water was flowing, fun day.

jcavenagh: "And I learned a new word today...burdock.
I had never seen that word before."

Yep, we always just called them burs,