Brrr, its cold. After having a week of warmer weather the Canadian winter has continued full force with another upcoming week of cold highs and even colder lows. At the moment a chilly negative 20 degree's Celsius keeps me inside the house. It is days like this that turn my mind to days of adventure and the hope to get outside soon. The thaw cannot come soon enough! But enough hopeful thoughts for one day. As cold as I am when I go out for walks in this weather, the animals that inhabit the

forests of Canada are colder. They cannot go into a heated house to escape the cold. They cannot put on a extra layer of clothes when the temperatures dip in the low 20s. Yet they get out of their dens and burrows to battle the temperatures. They wear nothing but the fur on their backs. It shows you that these creatures belong here. They have everything they need to survive any sort of impending weather system. Yet us humans would die here in a matter of hours if we didn't have some sort of external material to cover our naked skin. We are aliens to the Northern winters, we clearly do not belong in this environment. Yet here we are with the squirrels. They must look upon us with pity!

Impressions of the Winter Wood

   On a cold and dreary day the Ontario boreal forest can be a drab to travel through. The dominant colours are the brown and grey of the woods hue and the dark green of the spruce and pines needles. It's a hard prospect to come upon something vibrant, and if you do its usually due to human littering or is just another person walking along. This point in the season people are yearning for the snow to start to melt away and the sun to shine bright along their skin. Going outside is a chore for most in the middle of february up here, and sometimes I admit it can be if your mind is not in the right place, like thinking of the future warmth.

   Try not to though.

   Every walk in the woods is a difference experience if you just turn off your music and focus your attention to your surroundings. The forest you think to be boring and lifeless is dying to be heard from wanting senses. The squirrels in the tree's are seeking an audience to show themselves gracefully soaring from branch to branch, tree to tree. The bird's patiently wait for someone to hear their songs, and the river churns impatiently for you to stop and listen to its voice roar or whisper. Even your own footsteps make a rhythmic tone through the tree's, which all the forest stops to hear.

   To clear your mind of wasteful thoughts and to pin your attention down to the task at hand will bring much enjoyment to your walks in the woods. Remember that each day is unique, and tomorrow the forest you be changed. So revere in her today! With eyes open you will unlock her secrets. Today I found Highbush Cranberries as red as the ripest cherries. They seemed to be giving off their own light!

Close up of a cluster of Highbush Cranberries

Highbush Cranberries

   Slowing down to the pace of the forest also puts all this winter into prospective. Remember, winter is only a season, it comes then it goes. If you look at the tree's closely you will see this fact of life. The buds of all the deciduous trees are starting to open up. They are reminding you not to worry about the cold so much because nothing is forever.

Budding Branch

   My words of wisdom is to dawn a jacket and a pack and get lost in the woods, no matter the excuse you have on the tip of your tongue. 

Good day.  

    The Florida Loop from Start to Finish

  The Maps from Adventure Cycling Association (ACA)

• Atlantic Coast Bicycle Route 7 
• St. Augustine, FL to Key West, FL
• 513.5 miles
• Florida Connector Bicycle Route Section 1
• St. Augustine, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
• 530 miles

   I started the tour in St. Augustine Beach, about 10.5km south of St. Augustine. I took 14 days to get down to Key West. That means on average I did almost 37 miles (58km) average per day. From Key West I headed north again along the US 1 highway that connects the Keys. I then followed State Road 987 and 27 from Homestead to West of Fort Lauderdale to connect with the ACA Florida Connector Bicycle Route which added another 179 miles. I also did 38 miles riding my bike between Sugarloaf Key and Key West one day after I already completed the Atlantic Coast Section. So subtracting the 6 miles south from the proper start I cycled 724.5 miles for the first leg of the trip.

   The second leg started when I went underpass of Interstate 75 on day 20. That is 22.5 miles away from the actual start location. From there I went west to Fort Myers and than north to where I started. I again did not go to the finish St. Augustine, again subtract the 6 miles. I also didn't complete the 6.5 miles marked the Ferry Spur but thats not included in the Florida Connector's final milage. In total I cycled 507.5 miles on the second leg. 

   The total trip miles accumulates to 1232 miles or 1971.2 km in 34 days. 

PS: I towed a 30 pound dog on a BOB trailer with a fully loaded Long Haul Trucker

Julie the Dog

The Ride minus the Border Collie

Day 34

   I sit in the Super 8 in St. Augustine all cleaned up finally wearing an acceptable set of clothes. All my things are scattered all over the floor which is their accustomed habitat, be it home or anywhere else. I can't help but let my mind wander to new things that are over the horizon. With this cycle tour behind me I can set my thoughts to new doings. The one thing I am most excited for is to walk slowly through the forest with just my camera. The forest that I know all so well, the forest of Canada, the great boreal woods. The tree's that I know by name and the birds familiar songs. And for Julie the squirrel's that need to be chasing. It's great to get out to places that are new. To learn new experiences is life's greatest joy, for it helps the progression of all mankind, but on a more personal level it reminds me of what I left behind. Thank you Florida of the United States, you let me in with open arms and I hope to visit you again another day. But for now, fairly well.

Day 27

   I managed to get through the sprawling masses of Fort Myers and Port Charlotte (that is a bit of an exaggeration, they weren't too big). The American Cycling Associations map that I'm following polity reminds me that I am 305 miles from the trusty ol' Jetta that sits in a storage compound in St. Augustine Beach.
   On day 25 I slept in this so called Wilderness Preserve that disallows the use the motorized vehicles. I set up camp early due to the potential of heavy rain and thunderstorms. I laid in my hammock for hours. When the sun came down a battalion of mosquitos under control from General "I'm a gonna ruin your night" attacked with relentless efficiently. I retreat to the confines of my tiny bivy bag with Julie taking a spot at my feet. Here I hunkered down in safety only subject to the annoying buzzing. I managed to fall asleep.
  However, then the most unexpectedly thing happened. As a opened my eyes due to Julie's sudden movements, and saw two huge bright lights coming down the trail I was happily laying across. No motarized vehicles my ass! I panic hoping to god they see me . I finally manage to find the zipper and opened the bag just in time to let three ATV full of teenagers pass. Holy shit!
   Anyway day 26 saw the likes of Fort Myers North Fort Myers head into my rearview mirror without incident. The night was magnificent compared to the last few because it did not rain and the mosquito's were nowhere to be found. It did clear during the night letting the temperature drop significantly. Shitty nights really make you appreciate the good ones.
   Today I will be clear of Port Charlotte and heading into rural central Florida. I see hills on the topo's and lots of potential camping spots.

   Here are some photo's of the last couple days:

A bird of prey. Comment me the proper name. 

West of La Belle in a Preserve looking for someplace to camp. 

Tripods aren't only used to hold a camera still. 

  Anyway, I will finish the Arsenal game. They are 0-0 going into the second half of the game vs Crystal Palace. With a win they are back on the top!

   Cheerio for now!