So what's this I see???

Is it the sun? Whoa!

It's amazing how just a couple of hours of sunshine can lift your mood. It's been freaking cold, cloudy and rainy for the past several weeks. I really dislike Novembers in Ottawa, since it's so glum and depressing. All you see is cold rain and clouds.

However, I can't complain TOO much. At least this isn't Vancouver. Isn't it like this during the summers?

Random question: Do British Secret Service agents really have the license to kill?

Yes. Read here.

So many mountains, so little time

I should mention a trip some friends and I took a few weeks ago. We headed down to the Adironidack mountains in upstate New York hoping to see some spectacular fall foliage. However, what we got instead was Narnia-esque winter wonderland. Not that we complained. This picture below was typical of the scenery throughout the entire day.

The conditions were perfect for winter hiking. While it was icy and snowy, we were able to make it to the top of Wright Mountain, one of the 46er's in the Adirondacks. Here's a pic of G. near the summit. I wasn't able to make it up much further than the treeline due to cold, but G and T ventured on.

Now, this is the first of the 46's peaks that we successfully hiked. We made an attempt last year on Giant Mountain but were turned back by a nasty stream turned "raging torrent over a freaking 300ft waterfall". Sigh, I just realized that at this rate of one mountain per year, we'll have completed the 46's when I reach 75. Great.

On a side note, let me talk about pants. Yes, pants. During these types of hikes, moisture control, breathability and wind resistance are essential. Otherwise, you end up like a sweaty, soggy, wimpering mess (like I was once last year). In wet, cool conditions, hypothermia is a real possibilty, even in summer. That's why I can't recommend these pants enough. The MEC Ferrata Ultra pants look a bit dorky, but they performed very well during the winter hike. Highly recommended. They'll work great for cross-country skiing too.

Remembrance Day

El Comandante

Yikes. It's been a whole month since I've last posted something. So I guess my loyal readership (hi Mom) is wondering where I am. Did I:

1. Get run over by a bus
2. Win the lottery and buy my own secluded Caribbean Island
3. Successfully overthrow the government of some small country, and install myself as Comandante for Life.
4. Get busy with real life, and never had time to post anything.

I'm afraid my life's not that exciting. Pretty ho hum, if you ask me.

So if you chose #3, you're right. Give yourself a pat on the back. Military marches are held in my honor every Tuesday. Be there.

Some photos

Here's a few shots I took on Saturday morning. Some really thick fog rolled in, so I thought I would take the opportunity to take some photos in the Gatineau Hills. The photo below was the only one I was pleased with.

Once the fog lifted, I managed to get some fall colour pics. As you can see, it's just about to peak in the Ottawa area. We probably have another 1-2 weeks before it's all gone.

[Photograher's note: The angel was cropped, blurred, toned and converted to B&W with Photoshop. The rest of the photos were cropped and corrected for levels and contrast. Equipment: Pentax *ist DS, with Pentax FA31/1.8 limited and Tamron 28-75/2.8]

Farewell, Ralph

"Because the premier can't be seen supporting one team over another, I've had to sit in the stands at the Labour Day Classic and the Battle of Alberta hockey games cheering like an idiot for both teams. It's unnatural. It's like living in Red Deer." - Ralph Klein

It's the end of an era. Alberta premier Ralph Klein resigned yesterday as party leader. I haven't always agreed with his policies, such as the brutal budget cuts during the 1990's. However, I've always respected his candor. You never had to guess what his real opinion was - he always said it straight and to the point. I guess that's why he appealed to so many people. That part of Ralph was refreshing in the world of politics.

So while it's about time he left, his shoot-from-the-hip style will definitely be missed.