The Whim of the Great Magnet: April 2014

4-12-14 Winooski

It was above 60 degrees today and the water at the Delta Park launch point was melted so I was able to put in. That river behind me? Yeah, running really fast.

It was amazing to kayak through the ice flow. I have being wanted to take my kayak out in these conditions for a very long time. The sound of all the loose ice was like hearing a thousand crystal chandeliers in the wind. Quite incredible

The return to the launch point up that crazy river almost did me in. Such a powerful current. I saw at least 4 other kayakers out there.

4-11-14 Little River

Gave Sal another run at Little River. The snow was gone at the lower elevations but was at least a feet or more deep at the higher elevations.

Sal was up to his belly in this and the wet snow made my feet soaked.

A pretty little stream running strong.

Surreal how much snow is still out there.

A little cemetery site for the Rickers.

4-6-14 Litte River

With the snow still so deep I have to go to places that are packed down enough for Sal to run. Little River is always a good bet as it's repeated entries in the winter testifies.

Sal is always so happy to run.

I was here a month or so ago and you can see they have been draining the the lake to be ready for the melt.

It looks at least 10 feet below where it normally is. Can't wait for it all to melt so I can throw my kayak back into these waters.

4-3-14 Mount Philo

I decided after work to race the sunset up Mount Philo. I got to the top just as it was setting.

3-23-14 Red Rock

Wandered down to Red Rocks and even though it is frozen over the lake is starting to thaw. You can see the water starting to show at the shore.

Still pretty slippery out there.

3-15-14 Mount Philo

I seriously go here too much. The panorama was a bit bleached out for some reason.

More moody clouds...

3-12-14 Winter Storm

A proper blizzard hit Burlington and I got out on the bike path to ski in it. It was beautiful but the wind was driving. When I was going into it I was almost blinded. Because it is Burlington I wasn't the only one out on skis, there was couple out wandering as well.

3-9-14 Shelburne Bay

Lake Champlain's frozen state provides a new variety of recreational opportunities. This is normally a spot I run but I was able to return on the bay instead.

It was a beautiful day, people were out on the ice with cars ice fishing.

There was a Bald Eagle chilling in the trees here, I couldn't get a good shot of it.

The river under the bridge was completely frozen over. Sal was intrigued.

Sal claimed the lake as his own.

2-16-14 CAT Trail

Honestly, I think this was the CAT trail but I am not entirely sure.

I managed to walk out on Lake Champlain to catch the sunset.

2-15-14 Snake Mountain

I decided it was time to get my snowshoes out and have some fun. So I headed to Snake Mountain.

The view from the top was a bit obscured.

A panorama, a bit washed out.

You can barely make out NY here.

Yay my snowshoes in their native environment.

2-8-14 Lake Champlain

For the first time in many years Lake Champlain was fully frozen over. Most of the Burlington residents wandered out to enjoy it.

Beyond the breakers the ice turned from white to clear.

Looking over the breakers back at Burlington.

The ice was surreally clear, you could look down into the water. It was very unnerving. When people threw ice chunks across it, it made a singing sound.