Skagway Alaska - The Buckwheat Ski Race - Cancelled

Climate change continues to impact those of us who live up North so much more than those Southern Canadian Vast Majority who hug the US Canada border.

This time... for perhaps the first time ever... the annual Buckwheat Cross Country Ski Race was cancelled because of melting trails.  In contrast... last March was mostly a balmy -30 degrees Celsius. Even last April saw a majority of the month at  -20 to -25.

We still enjoyed our annual long weekend in Skagway... enjoying warm walks in the sunshine...

And snowshoed to the more than slightly melted central trail snow fort that our Skagwegian American brethren carve for the race each year.

Rain! Here Comes Climate Change

We have never had rain this early in March. Today we did. Is it wrong to be a little happy about climate change? 

Upcycling Underwear

Eww is what you are thinking I’m sure. My long john shirts last a good few years but eventually get so thin in spots that you just can’t fix them anymore. There’s a couple that I’ve been trying to decide what to do with.  Today I decided and here’s what I got. Mitts and a neck warmer. 

More Ottawa Walks

I find our national capital buildings beautiful and in a perfect setting. The sun setting on them is particularly lovely. 







I did a loop, made treacherous by snow and ice, below Parliament Hill over the bridge, along the Gatineau riverfront and back over the Alexandria bridge. It was perfect, although a little cold in the bridges in the full blast of the wind. 

Sussex Drive

You may have guessed that I’m travelling (in Ottawa) while Christopher and Isla are home. Yesterday to work off some energy I went for a walk along Sussex Drive. It is very different in the summer on bikes I can tell you. In the winter the wind just whistles and the snow is deep where there isn’t ice. My walk turned into a jog when I want producing enough heat to keep warm. But the views over the river are nice. 

Rideau Canal Skate

I’ve been to Ottawa a few times in the winter recently but each time the skateway has been closed. This winter has been long and cold and the skateway is still open. This was too good a chance to miss. It’s been more than 20 years since I last skated on the canal. After my meeting ended I asked around to see if any one wanted to join me. I was the only hardy Canadian soul up for it. And it was fun! 

Labradors

Why do we sacrifice ourselves on the 'altar of Labrador'?  I'm sure many of our friends and family think we are crazy to always have these beautiful dogs.  Could we have a great dog that is not a Labrador?  Yes.  For us though... without exception... they are such wonderful souls.  We can't imagine living without one in our lives.

This is just one example for the sceptics...

Sarah is away in Ottawa for a meeting.  Last night was the first night Sarah was not going to return home after work.  Isla began waiting for her Mom to arrive home at 1630hrs... I took a picture every 15 mins or so.  There was one break for dinner (about 45 seconds), and another for a quick drink (30 seconds)...

First 1700 bus arrival time immanent...

Maybe the 1800hrs bus?

1818hrs... given up.