Snow-Ho-Ho!

Big time snow in Michigan today - the first big one of the season. I cleared 5" off the drive at 7am and weatherman's calling for another 4-7" today. Needless to say, I am happy. I hate gray/brown Christmas.

One thing I'm certainly happy for is the Element. I was thinking as I drove out of my unplowed subdivision this morning that I was really glad to be rid of the Mustang. Snowy days always took too much creativity and effort. Element just chugged right through it all. I was surprised as I thought it a little low -- after owning several Jeeps -- but really no issues.

Still snowing as I write this. Nice swirling flakes. A friend is travelling on business in Miami and was just trying to make me jealous - no way, this is where I'd rather be. I think a little skiing tomorrow and perhaps a little time on the river with a fly rod, too.

Ahh, snowy winter in Michigan. Perfect!

-Sean-

Quotable Quote

“I’m not a perfectionist. I’m a serial obsessive... a seventy-five percenter. I get bored with doing the same thing. So, I isolate one thing, study and improve on it until I feel good about it, and then move on.”

Yvon Chouinard
Founder , Patagonia
January/February issue, Fly Rod & Reel

This quote spoke to me on an elemental level. It seems like I'm always moving from learning one thing to another. And once I get pretty good at it, I move on. Some things persist in my life, others don't.

Friends who know me well would say this quote seems to embody me. Always picking up something new. Looking to get out of my comfort zone and when I find something that connects becoming a bit obsessive about learning it.

-Sean-

Joys of the Season

I love ski season - especially in great snow and conditions. The season in Northern Michigan has sure been off to a nice start, though I hear rumors of temps in the 50s arriving next week. Not a fan of that.

Had an epic ski day Saturday at Caberfae. Drove up through some nice little squalls on and off. Upon arrival in the parking lot it was coming down nicely. The mood was interrupted when I realized I'd left my outer shell jacket on the table in the basement - but no matter, I'm pretty cold-tolerant.

Being a Midwesterner, we don't get a lot of powder days. Especially those of us who don't live up near the northern ski resorts. Why I felt compelled to by my big fat Line Prophet 100's is a bit of a mystery, but I tell myself it's for Utah ski trips. But they got a workout on Saturday -- snow just kept coming down. Really picked up around 3pm. And not just the usual powder on the treeline, but all over. I do love those skis. Every time I get to use them in their element, I'm just floored. And I'm really surprised by how well they handle groomed snow.

Those who know me are aware that while I like to buy toys, I have a love of a deal that pervades. Ski area food is one of my sore spots. It's expensive, usually REALLY unhealthy, and sometimes downright questionable. Last year I started on a more aggressive BYO approach. This year's big addition? A THERMOS -- ah, now it's more than just a cold sandwich. That hot chili tasted GOOD on a cold day! I've also become an afficianado of the convenience store sandwich. It's no worse than anything you'd get at the ski area (and many are quite good) and it's half the price. My favorite is the 7-11 at the entrance to Little Cottonwood Canyon (home to Solitude and Brighton ski areas). Great sandwiches, I can stock up on Diet Dew, and they actually have really nice souvenirs - I got my Solitude t-shirt there for 7 bucks!!!

Unfortunately, around 4pm the 30+ mph winds rolled in. About this time that earlier issue of forgetting my jacket becomes more of a problem. Top of the hill was like being sandblasted. Great fun skiing the bumps that have formed from the traffic and the heavy snows. I had my fly rod and gear for steelhead fishing (yes, I forgot THAT jacket, too...) in the truck. But with that kind of wind, time to scurry back downstate.

-Sean-

Flakes & Flies

Saturday may have been the best possible combo for winter fun. My main ski area Caberfae opened the Friday after Thanksgiving. I was suspect of the snow and crowds, but wanted to check out my new boots after some custom fitting work.

Friday night, I decide to pack up the trusty Element with ski gear, and fly fishing gear. Caberfae is only about 25 miles from some great steelheading on the Pere Marquette river -- one I'd never fished before.

Turns out Saturday is BEAUTIFUL skiing -- blue skies, few traces of those nice fluffy clouds you see in ski area brochures, and surprisingly good snow. Didn't see a single rock or stump. Just a great morning.

But...

I now had visions of those cartwheeling chrome beauties on my mind. And fishing a river that's legendary, but that I've never tried. That's when the lift lines suddenly got REALLY long. Even skiing as a single, it was crowded. My cue to exit to the parking lot and trade ski boots for waders!

A short drive, with a stop at Baldwin Bait & Tackle for some suggestions, and I'm at the Green Cabin access point on the PM. Still sunny skies and almost 40 degrees. What a stunningly beautiful and peaceful place. I can see now the appeal of that river. Nice gravel flats, sandy tailouts, and lots of nice holes. Relatively easy wading, and great access. I hiked a mile or so upstream and waded back down to my starting point.

Saw a few jumps and splashes, but didn't hook up with anything. Well, except a few logs and snags. Lesson learned for the day -- I need to brush up on my knot and rigging skills if I'm going to do this. I ended up with some sort of half-ass rig after making do with what was in my vest, and in my memory from a quick demo at the local fly shop.

Fished until the sun hit the horizon and saw only one other soul -- a guide who floated past me in a drift boat with a client and some sort of cockapoo kinda' dog. Odd sight. But you see all manner of stuff when you get out...

This weekend, they're calling for snow in that area and I don't have commitments on Saturday, so I think I'll repeat! Flakes and flies seems the perfect wintertime combo - at least for me.

Tight lines!

-Sean-

Winter's Coming

While I seem to have really increased my enjoyment of summer in recent years, I'm still a winter animal.

Been out fishing for steelhead on flies a few times lately at the Flat Rock dam on the Huron River. No results yet, but I'm still figuring it out. Two hooks means twice as much opportunity to snag stuff. But being outside in the cold, crisp air along the river sure feels good. Drives an energy that really doesn't come from anywhere else.

Finished up final bootfitting with Rob of Sun & Snow just in time for snow arriving and Michigan ski areas opening up. I'd always thought that ski boots had to be a little uncomfortable -- being rigid plastic boxes and all. After Rob pushed, pulled, tugged, twisted, and deformed them I was 110% wrong. Wow. Difference is ASTOUNDING.

And really enjoying the onset of cold and snow with the Mustang out of my life. While it may look like a toaster, the Element is so much better suited to my lifestyle and interests.

-Sean-

Changing Times

First and foremost -- I'm very excited about the prospect of change in the White House. I think President-elect Obama will bring a fresh perspective. I'm thoroughly fed-up with the results of the past eight years. And I think Mr. McCain would have been more than likely much the same.

But...

I joined the NRA the next day. And that's odd because I've had my issues with them in the past. But a friend asked after the election, "Are you concerned he'll take away your guns?" My reply, "No, that'll never happen." But then I got thinking about it -- why won't it? Well because of the power of groups in Washington that will prevent it. And then I realized that one of those key groups -- the NRA.

Don't get me wrong -- I have some strong issues with allowing things like assault rifles, as well as the loose regulation of gun shows, and even a belief that ALL guns should be as closely regulated as handguns. I think it would be just fine to require proof of legal registration at public shooting ranges. And I've shot an AR-15 and can completely see why they should be restricted to the military and law enforcement.

But, someone needs to stand up for regular folks like me and my friends who safely use and store their firearms who own responsible and reasonable guns that are suited to the activities they participate in. Does the NRA defend a lot of whackos? Yup. But they're also the only group that defends the regular guy, too.

Oh, and while we're on the topic -- instead of punishing those who legally own and use guns, how about expending that same level of effort on getting the illegal ones off the street? A much greater return on effort, in my humble opinion.

-Sean-

First Flakes

Well, it's here. First snow that stuck fell last night. It's cold (and dark) in the mornings. Stopped in at ski shop over the weekend. Now comes that LONG few weeks until skiing gets rolling. The anticipation is palpable - and contagious. All of my skiing friends seem to have it - newbies and old schoolers like me. We know it's coming, we just don't know when.

Heard this morning that areas around Traverse City got 6" of snow. Only a matter of time now. In the meantime, I'll get boot fit tuned up, get skis waxed, double- and triple-check all my gear. And watch the weather forecast every day.

In the meantime, I learned that there's a decent steelhead run in the lower reaches of the Huron River. An hour from home is MUCH better than 3-4 hours. May need to run down this weekend and check out that action!

-Sean-