BS: I love winter because.....

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: leftydee
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 03:44 PM

I love ice fishing! No better way to spend some winter calories.

Here's a trick for you winter campers taught to me by a friend that tested cold weather gear for the army. In very cold weather build three fires in a triangle leaving enough room for your tent and a place to sit out etc. Be sure to keep the fire back from your tent and you need three times more fuel, but......inside the triangle is shirt sleeve weather. No more burned face and frozen arse. I've used this trick several times and it's quite amazing inside the triangle.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: gnu
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 02:34 PM

.... the Northern Lights are so bright and awesome.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 02:08 PM

Oh yeah, winter camping! Once I get the leak in my kayak fixed we'll paddle down to Ceti Bay and go camping there. It's really supposed to be beautiful. Hang a hammock and doze off under a tarp while the surf roars and the trade winds whistle through the cassuarina pines...

Oh, uh, that's not what you were thinking about when you started this thread...

Well, don't blame me if I gave up all that cold weather for the tropics!

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Peace
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 01:28 PM

Raptor, I have slept in a few of them in my time.
Quinzee--how to 'build' one.
As an incidental remark, they can be a great survival shelter if y'ever need one. If you are not familiar with them, the one thing I'd add is that you should let the snow 'set' for three to four hours before hollowing it out. That's the only drawback. However, in a pinch, let the snow itself be your blanket.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 12:57 PM

You can find Raptor's place easily enough. The World's largest free-standing William Shatner monument is there on the front lawn, and can be seen from many miles away in any direction. It's a statue of Big Bill in his harvest gold Lycra uniform with leather boots, holding a phaser. It was erected in 2002, in anticipation of the Clinton Hammond World Tour, which unfortunately got cancelled shortly afterward. It is hoped that the statue will serve as a communications beacon to interplanetary travellers, encouraging them to land and make peaceful contact.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Midchuck
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 12:57 PM

...there's cross-country skiing (and downhill if I have cash and want to fool myself about my age).

...you can always put on more clothes, blankets, etc., but you soon reach a limit in taking them off in summer.

On the other hand, I hate it because:

...there aren't many gigs unless you do bars, and we don't.

...the pretty women put more clothes on too.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: number 6
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 12:34 PM

Hey Raptor ... I know that area well ... sounds like a great idea, and would luv to particiate in such an event but I will not be making it out that way this winter ... we're planning a trip back there this May.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 12:30 PM

hmmmm.......it's not as nice as summer, or spring come to think of it, or autumn.

biting winds that ambush you when you pop your head out of the door, weeks of rubbish christmas television, not so much as a parking spot near any built up area for days up to christmas, carol singers, recording artists that you really like putting out christmas albums, endless really depressing charity appeals in newspapers and on the tv, inevitable news stories about the rescue of some idiot who has gone moutain climbing in a blizzard...

However they always show Casablanca at Christmas and I like that - its on Channel 5 on Christmas day. Play it again Sam. Arrest the usual suspects. We'll always have Paris. unfortunately I've got a gig, so I'll miss it.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 12:13 PM

I guess I like the fact that it's easier to dress for Winter. I can always put ON enough of the right clothes to stay warm, but there are time in the Summer when there is no comfortable way to dress. I live in an area where Winter is not really 'fun'....it doesn't stay cold enough for snow to be stuff you live with and coexist with and have ways to enjoy.....it is just snow, melt, refreeze into ice....gloppy and messy usually. Bad traffic and discomfort without the fun.   But I can wear comfortable and interesting shirts and jackets...etc..(and I don't have to mow the lawn)

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: SunnySister
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 11:58 AM

Since I live in the Bay Area of California (work in San Francisco), the winters aren't bad at all here- just rainy as it is today.

My favorite part of winter is that time when you finally are able to snuggle warm down into the blankets. Feeling my cat sleeping at my feet- and the silence.

--- SunnySister, who also thinks hot whiskey's are extremely important in keeping the chill off.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 11:23 AM

...it's such a pleasure when it's over. I'm a spring baby!

best to all,

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Raptor
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:58 AM

A bit west of Barrie Ont.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:13 AM

I love cold, clear winter nights when the ground is covered in snow and the moon is bright. There isn't a need for a flashlight, I can go outside and wander in the fields where it seems that every single branch and remaining tall weeds are covered in diamonds...snow sparkling in the moonlight, stars sparkling in the sky, the smell of the very crisp and cold air, the silence except for an occassional owl, a cold nose and red cheeks....all of it is wonderful and twice as wonderful if you are lucky enough to have someone to share it with.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: *daylia*
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 09:48 AM

I love winter because it's a change, and because it gives me a reason to put those comfy cozy fleece sheets on my bed all snuggly snuggly snuggly ... My mom found those sheets in Quebec many years ago. I've never seen anything like 'em here in Ontario. They're absolutely AWESOME!

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: number 6
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 09:02 AM

Where abouts are ya north of TO?

Would love to join in.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Raptor
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 08:43 AM

I'd like to cordualy invite any and all to my house in the country one hour north of Toronto for Snowshoeing, Guitar playing, Music making, Snowball fightin, and merryment some weekend this Jan/ Or Feb.

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: number 6
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 08:03 AM

Winter camping .... used to, it's all in the past now ... and thoroughly enjoyed it. Snowshoed up along the French River in Ontario .... but used a tent I must say ... still have those snowshoes hanging in the garage, won't let go of them, in spite of knowing they'll never be used by me again.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: gnu
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 07:08 AM

I awoke this morning thinking I'd like to go for a tramp. However, it's a bit of a chore compared to back when... sniff... I live in the house next door to where I grew up. When I was a lad, about thirty-five years ago, I could be in the woods in less than two minutes. I spent many weekends in those woods. Now, There are $30M of apartment buildings and condos to cross before you reach the Walmart, Costco, Superstore, Kent, auto dealerships, strip malls, motels, you name it - it's there. And my lean-to's are a memory. But, a good memory.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: gnu
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 08:25 PM

I use to build a lean-to and a big fire and sleep on fir boughs when I was a lad. Now, I prefer the wood stove inside my camp... and my bunk. And my 4X4. And my ATV. And.... fuck that roughing it! I likes me comfort!

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 08:18 PM

Hmmm. Well, I... Umm... I guess... Uh...

It looks pretty when the sun is shining.

And it's a good time to go to the tropics if you can.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: bobad
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 07:23 PM

I love winter because I can curl up in front of a blazing fire with a glass of a nice single malt and read a good book and listen to some fine music.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Raptor
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 07:18 PM

I do a lot of winter Camping I meke what you'd call Quinzee's. Its an Igloo but you pile the snow up then dig it out. No matter how cold it gets outside it's always 2 degrees inside my quinzee!
Much better than tents!

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 06:06 PM

I've done winter camping and yes, in a snow cave even. I really don't recommend it, but to come into a snow cave from a nasty, windy, cold day that has sleet feeling like broken razor blades against your skin can be pure heaven. Why it might be a balmy 40 F in there! -- you want to strip to your skin and cool off!

Yeah, I've done it. But I'd rather have a hot ruttered bum by a fireplace and watch the snow fall outside the window.

Granted, I do have cross-country skis and all....

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: GUEST,Skivee
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 06:01 PM

Decembers Moon beams high in the heavens.
If there's snow when it's full that's the time
to go outside and remember...
The time to hear wind in the pines.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 05:47 PM

I have to hide indoors on the really cold days because my lungs just don't function right -- asthma. But when the mercury's above minus 10 and the sun is shining, or even if the sun isn't shining but the wind is comparatively low, I like to get out and toddle about, just enjoying a little mobility. No camping or such heroics for me; I'm satisfied if I can walk to the office. I look quite eccentric with my spike-tipped walking stick and my Polartec hat, but I consider myself ahead of the game if I'm vertical and moving.

Remind me -- what did we do before Polartec?

The Ottawa winter is fairly brutal, as it is both very cold and somewhat damp. We have heavy snowstorms that the city crews may or may not be able to clear up after, and "temperature troughs" when the thermometer dives to below minus 20 for a week or two or even three. Then we get a thaw -- and I can go out again, feeling like a prisoner out on parole. An imminent snowstorm is announced by aching bones responding to the drop in air pressure, and the smell of paper mill borne on the northeast wind from Thurso, Quebec.

The only wild critters I see at this time of year are squirrels, crows, Military Police, and the occasional street person hunkered under a sleeping bag in the By Ward Market, but that's downtown living for ya.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 04:39 PM

I've done a lot of camping- but never winter camping. Alwasys wanted to. Probably never will now. Not this go 'round, anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Peace
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 04:33 PM

Man, oh, man. I love that. It IS heaven. Do any of you do any winter camping? Snow caves? That kinda thing?

Subject: RE: BS: I love winter because.....
From: gnu
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 04:20 PM

Yup... gettin out fer a hike in the woods. A nice fire for cooking up a scoff of whatever right in the can. The fresh, clean air after a snow. Seeing game. Getting home tired and looking forward to a good night's sleep. Heaven.

Subject: BS: I love winter because.....
From: Raptor
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 03:23 PM

I just got back from a snoeshoe up the Wye River. Lots of tracks. Deer, Coyote, Fox, Hare. It was wonderfull.

Raptor