Another Combo?

So, been having fun this winter when I figured out that skiing combined well with steelhead fly fishing after I figured out that Caberfae (ski) and the Pere Marquette river (duh) are fairly close geographically.

After cross country skiing on Sunday and enjoying it, I got to thinking...

Always thought that the Olympic biathalon was really cool. And, I've gotten into shooting .22 target rifles. And biatheletes use .22 target rifles...

Hmmmm.....

Winter Fun

Couple of brief things...

First, I dug out my cross-country skis on Sunday. After a nice 10" of fresh snow that was so much fun! I skied XC all the time as a kid and until I started downhill skiing. Then it kind of faded. Was so pretty out that morning and it was great exercise. Glad I dusted them off!

Second, went to Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited meeting last night. Speaker was Mike Schultz, fly shop manager from Colton Bay Outfitters, and river guide. Presentation was on steelhead fishing using indicator rigs. Mike's knowledge is just amazing, especially for such a young guy. I learned a lot more about the theory and strategy that my steelhead attempts have lacked. Stop in and see Mike -- good guy and very willing to teach. Plus, that TU chapter just has some really nice and enjoyable folks. I always enjoy the meetings.

Cold weather coming. And more snow. Good for winter fun!

-Sean-

Mind, Body, Spirit

As you can see, a New Year always seems to fire me up. Some years I'm rich with New Year's Resolutions, others, less so.

Last year's New Year's Resolution was to really start an aggressive fitness program, including a fair bit of weightlifting to balance out cardio activities. And, I've done it. Since last January I'm in the gym three mornings a week fairly religiously. This summer I was averaging 100 miles per week cycling.

And it's truly been worth it. I'm in the best shape in well over a decade, maybe two. My physique is more balanced (always had much stronger legs from cycling and skiing), I have more energy, and I sleep better. The whole mind-body-spirit connection really seems to ring true for me.

But the biggest benefit has been for strength and endurance in my outdoor pursuits. Went pheasant hunting with some friends last month in pretty deep snow. Had TONS of energy, even at day's end. Skied a VERY long hard day last Saturday with very few breaks. Felt great at the end. Hiked in through deep snow to fly fish the day before and just powered through it. I can truly feel the difference.

It only takes three weeks to form a habit. Many have told me this. And you can sure benefit.

-Sean-

Good Wiii Hunting

In this post-holiday season I keep hearing Wiiiiiiiii and XBox buzz. And at the same time I've been reading of declines in participation in outdoor pursuits - especially fishing and hunting. These two things seem oddly correlated.

With all this online interaction, including things like Facebook that allow you to have hundreds of "friends" with whom you never DO anything, we've become a society that has all these virtual experiences, but doesn't DO much. Instead of messaging with your so-called friend, maybe you should be having dinner with them? Or better still go cross-country skiing.

Have you seen the Wiiiiiiiii commercial where the two female friends have an online session and go to the park and go shopping together over the idiot box? For real. Can't make this stuff up.

And we wonder why obesity is rampant in both children and adults. Do you burn more calories on Wiiiiiiiii Skiing, or ripping down Milk Chute at Solitude at 9,000 feet? And don't even get me started on Wiiiiiii Fit. Really? Try a gym. A real one.

With all these virtual experiences you lose the vibrancy of real life. The things that the outdoors does to you that make you know you're truly alive. Whether that's standing in a river (like the Pere Marquette above) in the snow, walking an upland field looking for birds, whistling down a steep ski slope, or whatever you like to do.

Get outside. Now. And take someone with you. My new suggested application? Wiii Trashcan.

-Sean-

My Review of Yakima FatCat Ski Mount - 4 Pair

Originally submitted at REI

A new design, this Yakima® FatCat mount takes ski and board mounts to a whole new level! Holds four pairs of skis or two snowboards.

Yakima FatCat Ski Mount - 4 Pair

Very Happy!

By Seanahee from Ann Arbor, MI on 1/7/2009

 

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Quiet, Good Looking, Easy to Use, Easy to Install

Cheaped out and bought Big Powederhound to save a few bucks -- whistled badly on the car, and KILLED my mileage.

Thanks to REI's satisfaction policy, was able to exchange for FatCat 4. One drive on the expressway was all I needed -- SUPER quiet and SO much better.

Installation was quick and simple, thought it's easier if you buy a T-handle allen wrench instead of using the supplied one.

Spend the extra money for the FatCat. Looks cooler, too!!!

(legalese)

You Meet the Nicest Folks

Great day at Caberfae skiing on Saturday. Bluebird skis. Cold, but no wind. Snow on South Peak area was very nice.

When you ski by yourself, you get to meet some nice folks during the day. Chatting with people on the lift ride is one of the things I truly enjoy about skiing, actually. The social animal in me just loves it. But a few times a year I make a really good connection. Last year it was a local who turned me on to a great restaurant and bar in town, and another who showed me some AMAZING powder stashes. Foot of fresh even a week after a storm (what's a few trees to ski through?)!

Saturday was no exception. Toward the end of the day ended up skiing with Shannon and Shereen (with apologies to the latter -- I think I botched your name). Both were skiing solo and had connected and invited me to join them. Nice folks, super-interesting and they could both RIP down the slopes! It was fun to share a chair and a hill with both of them. Was cool to ski with some folks who could push me a bit, too. Most of my friends who ski are more intermediates. I had to kick it up a notch to keep up with these two. Plus riding up together meant avoiding the usual introductory ride -- "Where are you from? Do you ski here much? Shoulda' been here LAST weekend..." -- and have some very interesting discussions.

Ended the day with a beautiful sunset. Of course, the camera batteries had died by then, so no pix! Nice day steelehad fishing prior -- but that's for another post this week.

Seasons Greetings

Whatever your beliefs, and whatever you celebrate -- seasons greetings to you and your family.

I hope the holidays afford you the opportunity to experience the outdoors in some way. For me, I hope to do a little skiing, some fly fishing for steelhead, break out my old cross-country skis, and perhaps spend a little quality time on the shooting range.

And, make plans for next year's outdoor antics!

Best wishes,

-Sean-