Spring in VT

Yours truly running the falls on the New Haven

Last weekend we made the what is be coming an annual trip to Vermont. We drove up Friday night to find the Big Branch was at a prime time level at midnight, only to find that by about 8AM it had dropped really low. We grabbed a little breakfast in Rutland, hoping it would stop snowing and warm up a little. After freezing our asses off at breakfast (apparently heat is optional in diners in Rutvegas), we got back to the BB to find it had dropped even more.

So off to the Middlebury we went. I (and others) was pretty nervous but it was defiantly everything it was cracked up to be. Pretty continuous class IV with some Vers in there for good measure. The boof entering into the Birth Canal might be one of my favorite boofs anywhere. It's a beautiful place that I don't know if my stunning linguistics can do justice for. All I can tell you is that I will be back!

After a pretty good dinner, we headed up and camped at the take out of the New Haven ledges. We got two laps on this run, which was a little low but really fun and a bit more relaxed than Saturday (until I pinned in the last rapid). We did a quick second run that was really nice to get into a groove. Here are some pictures.

Danny running a slot on the upper section

Jim boofing the falls

Old timer doing a little cliff jumping

Below: Yours Truely. Peace

Ice is out, so is SPED

I finally feel like a kayaker again. After the longest dry spell in my kayaking "career", I got back on the water Sunday when Paul, Danny, Martin, Jim and I went up and got a cold lap on the Grasse. I got the pleasure of helping set safety for Danny and Paul to fire up Large Marge, which was interesting to say the least. It was surprising how nervous I was getting back into the boat. I didn't feel good on any rapid all day until the last one, which I have informally named Tricky Boof. I finally crushed a line and felt good about the way I ran it, just in time to get back in the car and drive the 4+ hours home. I hate being a kayaker in Rochester, and I have only been on 1 trip to the dacks. I told the boys we have to befriend someone who boats alot and lives up there so we only have to take one car (like these D-Bags did to me when I lived in P-dam). Then I can drink and sleep in the van the whole trip!

Anyways hopefully Danny will get a video together so I can throw a copy up here.

LaFlair

The BIG 4 0 (thank God not mine!)

Well if kayakers had jerseys, it would be time to retire Uncle Jim's. Matt and I vowed not to paddle with Jim once he turned 40, so as of yesterday his status is back to "Driver". I can't wait to give him his gift tomorrow at the party. Hopefully the old fart can still get out and paddle with us in a few weeks, which brings me to my next point: It's getting freakin close!!! It was about 40 degrees today and a full sky of sunshine. One of those days that gives you the crack itch for some boating. Hopefully Sally-pants upstairs will get off his lazy ass tomorrow and we will hit something up. I need to get out there!

I got the tent, bill's bag, and knife for the trip today yesterday. Paul just walked in and he is saying we are going. I need to round up my shit.

LaFlair

Life

It's been a crazy month for me, as you can tell by the time between posts. We ended a 7 year relationship, hit some crazy concerts, did some riding (snowboarding & snowmobiling) and much more.

Atreyu and Flogging Molly were on the concert list. Atreyu was great, venue was small and beer was cheap. Went by myself, which was an experience. Then Sunday Jim, Matt, a lady friend of mine and I went to see Flogging Molly at the Main Street Armory. It was one of the best shows I have seen, those guys and gal know how to get it done. Drank Guiness the entire time too which was pleasant.

I went riding snowmobiles for the first time in about 3 years with Matt and Q a few weeks back. We rode from my folks house to a place called DWI (ironic right?) which is over near Mexico. It was great to get back on a sled. Q & Matt figured out pretty quickly that I hadn't lost the edge either.

Went snowboarding for the first time to Bristol. I had to say that I was pleasantly surprised at the mountain. Not huge, but had some good trails. Conditions were perfect so that always helps. Jim, Paul and I rode for 4 hours on Valentines Day (what a date).

The best news is that I committed to heading to Utah in May. We leave April 30th for 6 days on the Green River. We will be paddling the Deso/Grey canyon sections of the river. There isn't much beta out there on this river, but it looks like bigger water, but mostly great scenery. The trip will be raft supported, which will be pretty sick. The good news is that the bonus I got this year should cover everything. Screw paying down loans, we gotta go boatin!

Peace.

LaFlair

Enter Peter Nincompoop

So I picked up this 4 year old St. Bernard at Lollypop Farms in Victor last weekend. He is awesome. Team Special Ed officially has a new mascot.

Other than that and the Anti-Flag concert last Sunday (which was sick), it has been business as usual in these parts. No boating, no snowboarding. A little skating.

The good news is today I got the time off work to go on the trip to Utah to run the Green River in May. Paul and Shaun Goodwin are kind enough to be acting as tour guide, so all I have to do is exercise my liver, pick up a few items gear wise, and get a plane ticket and I will be on the water for like 6 straight days. There are some sweet side hikes including one to one of Butch Cassidy's hideouts. I am pumped. It is some really big water paddling too, which should be interesting.

Something to talk about...

....Finally! As of late it has been nothing but moving, work, and learning to skate. Exciting but nothing any of you might want to read about. But today I made my first of many van rides to the Black with Paul, Jim, Danny, Kernan (sp?) and Martman. Level was about 1800, water was freezing and air temp was about 40. First time back in the boat since Sept. or Oct. of last year!

It was fun. I got a few good rides, with one "Peanut Butter Jelly" (Blunt to Backstab) which was definitely the highlight of the day for me, as I think it was only the first couple of ones I have ever hit, and definitely the best I have ever hit. Of course no pics or video, so you will have to take my word for it (and besides if I was going to lie about it, I would tell you I hit a Pan-Am or something!). I took a long break, and got some great pictures of Danny, Paul & Jim on Jim's camera, which he needs to send me so my blog will have some photos again! I went out for the last ride all alone, and hit one really nice blunt. It was so cold under water, everyone wasn't really trying much, so it was pretty easy to take paddler of the day with just a limited amount of effort (BAM!)

It was a good day. Got back in the boat finally and killed a 12 pack plus. Again I must remind you that I am not a role model.

Cheers!

All Moved In

So I am all moved into the new place, thank god. It has been a busy few weeks but now thanks to being done and ripping off Paul's internet connection I get to put up a quick post. It has been snowing like mad, but I haven't been able to hit the slopes again yet. Hoping to get to Bristol one night next week.

Other than that, not much to talk about. Although I did find this video of me when I was just a youngster.....

Baby Loves Metal

Cheers!