2011.4.29 - All I can eat Sushi

After visited a local all-you-can-eat-sushi, I feel much better now. Ready for tomorrow's hike!

2011.4.28 - Sick day

Feeling sick again. No food for over a day and still have to do running. Started eating at dinner time but my stomach was kind weak, ended up diarrhea.

2011.4.27 - Merrel ST Stature 2

Bought a pair of trail running shoes, hopefully it will take on some trails this weekend. Weights about 302gram.

2011.4.26 - Columbia day pack

 Bought a Columbia day pack. About 25L volume.

 Top little pocket.

 Another little pocket on the bottom. The water bottle holder is the kind I like.

 Pocket on the waist belt. Notice the whistle on the chest buckle.

Has a hydration pocket. Many little pockets inside.

2011.4.21/22/23/24/25 - A few days to the south

Driving overnight to the states after work. Dinner stop near border.

Morning at friends' house. Loving country house at suburban of a small town.

Friday morning was raining all the time.

 Exotic Southern Rosebud Tree in blossom.

The 555.5 feet Washington Monument.

The Capital Complex in the distance.

 Early survival equipment at Air&Space museum.

 Display at Air&Space museum.

 Painting inside the art museum.

 Street view.

 Jefferson memorial from top of the Washington Monument.

Seafood market.

Highway back to Cumberland.

Shooting range at New Germany State Park.

The U.S. is a gun friendly country.

2011.4.20 - Retire my old boot

It's been with me for 2 years and it's now retired. Getting a new pair for the new track.

2011.4.19 - Castles in the sky is a beautiful movie

Stumble upon this movie via Sara's running blog.

2011.4.18 - Fingers crossed

When you are prepared, all you have to do is pray, and cross your fingers.

2011.4.16/17 - Missisauga River canoe trip

Great trip. Number of portages was impressive, end up spending more time carrying boat than paddling on the river.

2011.4.15 - Sick

Sick as dog today. The good thing is I'm going canoeing tomorrow and that would be the cure for my sickness.

2011.4.14 - Milne Dam

 Went for a stroll after work.

 Dead fish

 Garbage everywhere in the bush. What can we do about this?

2011.4.13 - East Duffins Creek

 Duffins creek water shield provides the best water quality among all the water system within the GTA. However the water quality has been dropping due to development and unethical human activities over the years.

For some, the river seems the be the most convenient place to dump their waste. It's not uncommon you will see tires, cans, toilets, plastics... in or along the river bank. I really want to dump those bustards to the river if I could.

After week long warm temperature, still some ice hiding under the bridge, biding it's time.

2011.4.12 - Can't wait to paddle Missisauga River

It's a go go rain or shine. Excited!

2011.4.11 - Come back to the creek again

 See no fish upstream from the dam. The erosion of the creek bank is extensive from spring flood. Lots of down trees and a few chewed up by the beavers.

 Boardwalk can use some repair here. It may not be necessary but you need to take it into consideration when you do night hike.

 Still lot fish at the dam.

 Beautiful.

I like the color when fishes flash on their side.

Video clip.

2011.4.10 - Feeling unsettled for no apparent reasons

Raining in the morning. Felt like a caged animal, didn't know what to do. Early spring is a strange feeling, everything will be same a few weeks, and than all the sudden everything changes in a snap, a full play will be on showing you all the wonders of the mother nature.

Nice afternoon, went to the creek again check on the water level. The skipping stones were showing except one in the middle. A 10k D3 loop hike will be possible next week.

2011.4.9 - What a great day!

 Tulip buds just can't wait any longer. All the living things in the woods are undergoing rapid changes.

It's the opening day for the ice cream wagon at village of Whitevale. The new development on its side is almost done. A B&B will open to public soon.

 Paraglider (apparently motor powered) over the West Duffins Creek.

 Coltsfoots is one of the first spring blossoms. In just 2 weeks, you will be seeing lots of trillium along with other wild flowers magically appear on the forest floor. 

 One interest thing about coltsfoot is the flower appears before the leaves.

 Dead tree across the stream forms a natural bridge.

 There are hundreds of salmons in the creek (I should say salmon family, including rainbow, brown, etc)

 Putting my boy in danger would likely get my father's license suspended for a while.

 I love the sunlight at dusk.

Someone on CCR mentioned the old canoe route on this creek but it seems to be unrealistic due to the lowered water level for decades.

Whitevale dam. Abandoned, but still functions as a hazard.

 Fish trying desperately jumping upstream but it's a task impossible. Should we make a fish ladder here? I might raise this question to the TRCA or related authorities.

Upstream from dam.