welshkate

Part of the reason I love living in the Pacific Northwest is the variety of outside activities in which I can engage. Oregon’s geology, climate and precipitation make it a prime location for outdoor recreation. This year, instead of partaking in the usual New Years fun filled, PBR fueled, merriment I hit the hay early (but after midnight)  in anticipation of hitting the snow early on New Years Day. That was abnormal behavior for me- strange things like this have been happening to me all the time since I hit the big 3-0. Lucky for me I awoke (early and hangover free) to find a bright, sunny day and off I toddled to the snow. I went cross country skiing for the first time. Being a downhill snowboarder, I’d been under the false impression that cross country may not offer that full shot of adrenalin that boarding does. How wrong I was-especially when you dont know how to stop. Skiing cross country was an absolutely remarkable experience with the undulating trails empty of people and devoid of the noise of the chairlifts.  Best of all, it was free (and we all know kayakers are cheap, so I was super happy).

HAPPY NEW YEAR from a snowy sno park, somewhere near Sisters.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of boating with the 13 year old ‘Wonder Midget’, Devin Morton. Devin is an incredible boater and his talents far exceed many boaters twice his age-not only is he a class V creeker but his advanced playing skills are well honed too. Dad Corey, Devin, Alex, Aaron, EJ and I headed to a low but runnable Lake Creek. For the first time, I ran the Horn upside down- unintentionally of course. I was spat out into what is usually a nice wave below it. At this level that wave was a sticky hole, but i flushed eventually. Then I went back in for a second ride, followed by Aaron (see photo [L]). It was not a wholly pleasant experience, but I’m glad i did it. I find its good for my psyche to choose to get beat up in hole once in while. Aaron’s rides were good. Just below the Horn are a set of ledge drops called….yep…you guessed it, Ledges. Corey had some good rides (photo [M]). Just below Ledges was Bus Stop- and we stopped here just to check it out (photo [R])

Most of the features were small but usable at least for front surfs, back surfs, spins, cartwheels and blunts. Aaron even managed to get in a helix or two at grassy lawn. Devin was definitely the super star of the day, nailing his back stab time and time again. Here are some photos of Aaron on the Mill Wave.

I put together a short GOOGLE VIDEO OF LAKE CREEK so that readers can check the features at this low level.