Suzy and Goddard Grave, with Edie hidden behind, on the smooth, easy-to-enjoy trail (Warner Shedd photo)

As we said in a previous article about Becoming Eagle Scouts, Prince Edward Island is a fine place for Active Seniors looking for new and interesting adventures. Several days after seeing the eagles and herons, we met our friends and near neighbors (“near” being a relative term where we live in very rural Vermont), Suzy and Goddard Graves at the Greenwich Park section of PEI National Park  for a fascinating hike though spectacular dunes. The hike was about 3 miles round trip, nearly level, and perfect for Seniors of any fitness level.

We started out from the Visitors’ Center on a wide, level trail which led along the edge of the woods, and we soon encountered , a snowshoe hare  munching on some of the lush grasses along the trail. Brown in its summer coat, it appeared fully grown, but  we suspect it was a naive youngster because it showed so little fear of us and allowed us to approach quite closely.

A young snowshoe hare beside the Greenwich Dunes Trail (Warner Shedd photo)

After the hare had finally taken leave of us, we moved on. Soon the trail swung into a nice stretch of woods, where, out of the wind that was blowing in the open, the mosquitoes were  obnoxious. Despite the bloodthirsty hordes, this was a pretty portion of the hike, with several kinds of forest flowers. We were especially delighted by some gorgeous pink lady’s slippers – a great treat! The stretch of woods was quite short, so we managed without major bug avoidance measures.

Pink lady's slippers in the woods (Warner Shedd photo)

Once we emerged from the woods, the dunes loomed on our left, with a small lake and marsh on our right. This little lake had once been salt water until the dunes blocked its connection to the ocean. Walking here was on a  long, well-built boardwalk, complete with excellent information stations at various intervals. Part way across, we paused to survey a large muskrat house with most of its inhabitants at home. Three half-grown young muskrats were sitting on one edge of the dome-shaped reed-and-mud house, while one of the parents was busy feeding in the reeds a few feet away. It was great fun to spy on them with the binoculars.

The start of the long boardwalk (Warner Shedd photo)

One of the dunes, with marsh in the foreground (Warner Shedd Photo)

Leaving our muskrat friends, we continued along the boardwalk, observing the plant life that grew in the marsh and in the dunes. The boardwalk led up and over a gentle rise, and we descended a steep set of stairs to stand on a wide, sandy ocean beach. Though we could have gone farther along the beach itself, we turned around and retraced our steps to the cars. The return hike was every bit as pleasant.

This was a truly  marvelous adventure (especially in the company of good friends), an easy, rewarding hike we believe most Active Seniors, Active Families with younger children, and all lovers of remote beaches could enjoy.

A muskrat house viewed from the boardwalk. The owners were home, but they didn't invite us in! (Warner Shedd photo)

Active Indoors

The following day we visited  the Orwell Farm Museum, which has everything from old farm machinery to a blacksmith shop to a general store, stocked as it would have been in the 1890s www.peimuseum.com. It was well worth seeing.

Then we headed for Belfast Mini-Mills & Teahouse, a site that shouldn’t be missed! The Teahouse has a limited but delicious menu of sandwiches on wonderful toasted homemade bread, with crumbled potato chips inside the sandwich – all accompanied by excellent lemonade. Next we toured the mill itself. These people invented the mini-mills, which are quite astonishing. With dimensions only a few feet on a side, they take raw fiber from sheep and alpacas, bison, musk ox , etc., (but not Turtle Fur), convert it to yarn, and then weave cloth with it. We had no idea that it took so many steps (at least seven, though we lost count at some point). In addition, these amazing little mills were designed for water-scarce regions; the water used in various steps can be recycled.

And Back Outside Again

After we all left Belfast Mini-Mills, Goddard and Warner sought further adventure in the lovely Experimental Forest at  the Sir Andrew MacPhail Homestead, (Sir Andrew was a native PE Islander, author and physician famous throughout Canada). Goddard, who knows the place well, led us on a short hike through hemlock groves and along a pretty, sparkling brook (Ever vigilant for opportunities, we kept looking into the brook to see if any trout resided there. Alas, we saw none.)

An educational trail sign in the MacPhail Model Forest (Warner Shedd photo)

At the end of that hike, we joined a guided tour. The tour guide talked about the history of the forest, pointed out interesting stands of trees, and identified a number of birds by their calls.

At length, we came to an entrance to the “Homestead” bracketed by two amazing stone pillars – intricately carved and more than 12 feet tall – which have quite a history! Originally these pillars graced the entrance to one of the buildings at the famous McGill University in Montreal. Somewhere about the early 1900s, the building burned, and McGill’s plans for rebuilding didn’t include the pillars. Sir Andrew arranged for the pillars to be carted by railroad, boat, and ox cart, to the spot where they now stand. True, these pillars aren’t nearly as tall as the Washington Monument, but they’re still impressive!

One of the ornate pillars at an entrance to the MacPhail Homestead. (Warner Shedd photo)

If You Go

Adventures for Seniors abound on PEI! We should emphasize that our PEI adventures only covered the eastern part of the island, and there’s much, much more to see and do. The PEI Tourism Bureau has reams of information, including maps and the comprehensive Visitor’s Guide.. Prince Edward Island beckons, we’re taking our hiking boots and going back!

We stayed in a small, very pleasant vacation house with 3 bedrooms, a nice kitchen, and a lovely living room looking out at the ocean about 100 yards away. The house is fully equipped and in great condition. The landlord, Bruce Beaton, is wonderful: anything that needs fixing or replacement is taken care of immediately. Bruce also owns three other lovely rental properties. He can be contacted at peibruce@live.com. If you’re interested in renting one of these, we’d advise contacting him early in the year before all the rental time has already been filled.

Related posts:

1. Active Seniors: Pushing Our Limits with A Giant (Falls) Hike!
2. Active Seniors: The Snowshoe Hike That Wasn’t!
3. Active Seniors: Think Summer At Trapp Family Lodge

Danny Mongno demonstrating (with his usual enthusiasm!) a basic paddle stroke exercise at one of his paddling seminars. (Greg Maino photo)

For many years, kayaking has been one of the fastest-growing segments of the outdoor industry. No surprise there; kayaking is easy to get started with, fun right from the get-go, and, once you have the necessary gear, it’s a very low-cost, low-environmental-impact sport. It’s no secret that most of us here at EasternSlopes.com are kayak enthusiasts. Most of us own one (or more) kayaks and paddle them often. But none of us are “Experts.”

At the 2012 New England Paddle Sports Show in Durham, New Hampshire (which is put on by Kittery Trading Post each year in late March or early April), EasternSlopes.com’s Executive Editor Tim Jones attended a seminar called “Selecting The Perfect Kayak Paddle”. This was presented by Danny Mongno, a kayak fanatic, paddling instructor and all-around bundle of energy and enthusiasm who also happens to work for Werner Paddles as a “Regional Sales Manager,” and “Field Marketing Coordinator” (which we guess means he gets to paddle a lot). Impressively, however, Mongno never mentioned Werner paddles until the seminar was almost over. Instead, he jumped from floor to chair to table top to blackboard as he diagrammed and demonstrated how to hold a paddle, different styles of paddlestrokes and how the correct paddle, matched to paddler, paddling style, and boat, improves paddling efficiency and allows the paddler to have more fun with each on-water adventure. It was a fun, informative hour.

Danny Mongno on the water, showing an efficient high-angle stroke with a bent-shaft paddle. In conditions like these, the right paddle can help! (Bill Thompson photo)

 After the seminar, Jones caught up with Mongno and got him to hold still (no easy task) long enough to outline and expand on the essential points covered in his seminar. Here then, are some thoughts from a real expert on how to select the right paddle for you.

 ES: First of all, Danny, let’s answer the basic question: Any paddle will move a kayak through the water, why spend so much time and money looking for the “right” one?

Mongno: Selecting the perfect kayak paddle is probably the most important decision you will make as a boater. The paddle is the tool that transfers your energy to the water and ultimately, to moving your boat. Choosing the proper blade shape will allow you to perform at the highest level for your body and your boat. A paddle that fits perfectly will allow you to be more comfortable, use less energy and spend more time on the water. Although it is such an important decision, it does not have to be hard.

Theresa Willette of Coastal Maine Kayak shows off her personal paddles. Left is a low-angle straight shaft paddle, center is a hand-made wooden Greenland-style paddle; right is a high-angle paddle with neutral bent shaft. (Tim Jones photo)

ES: OK, So where do you start?

Mongno: It really takes only a few simple steps to fit you with the perfect kayak paddle. You begin by choosing the right blade shape for your style of paddling.

ES: Whoa, stop right there. We aren’t all kayak fanatics. What do you mean by “style of paddling”?

Mongno: Basically, if you are paddling correctly, most of your paddling power comes from the big muscles in your torso as you twist your upper body, not from your arms pulling the paddle through the water. But the position of your arms determines how the power in those muscles gets transferred to the water and, ultimately, to moving the boat. Most recreational paddlers (not racers) paddle either “low angle” or “high angle.” The “angle,” in this case, is the angle of the paddle shaft relative to the horizontal surface of the water. That angle is determined by the upper hand on the paddle and where it positions in relation to your body.

ES: What are the advantages and disadvantages of “low angle” paddling?

Theresa Willette demonstrates a low-angle paddle stroke with a straight shaft paddle. Note the upper hand is at about shoulder height. (Tim Jones photo)

Mongno: Most people start out with low angle paddling, which keeps your top hand at about shoulder height through each paddle stroke. A low-angle style allows paddlers to still use good torso-rotation paddling technique and focus on using core strength rather than arms strength, but it’s also more relaxing, which allows you more time on the water just having fun. With your hands in a low-angle position, you put significantly less pressure on your upper body, arms and shoulders. For low-angle paddlers, a longer, narrower blade shape, “fits” in the water better and presents more surface area to the water for more paddling efficiency.

ES: If low-angle paddling is both relaxing and efficient, why would anyone ever choose “high angle”?

Theresa Willette demonstrating a high-angle paddle stroke with a neutral bent shaft paddle. Note how close the blade is to the kayak. (Tim Jones photo)

Mongno: High angle paddling requires more commitment to technique, but it’s more efficient. You move the boat farther in the direction you want to go with each stroke. In high angle paddling, your top hand stays at about forehead height as you take your stroke. The first thing you will notice is that the blade travels closer to the kayak. With the blade traveling in this path your boat will track significantly straighter—you won’t see the bow moving left or right of your intended line with each stroke. Now this style does place more emphasis on proper torso rotation since more pressure can be put on your shoulders. So you have to learn proper technique. The commitment is worth it though for those looking to take their paddling to a higher performance level, especially  in longer, sleeker light touring and touring kayaks. For high angle paddling, a wider, shorter blade shape puts more surface area of the blade into the water.

ES: What do you do if you can’t decide or don’t yet know what style of paddling you prefer?

Mongno: Ask yourself “What do you see yourself doing the most out there?” Do you want to paddle long distances? Do you want to go fast? Do you want to just relax and not think about it? Look at the boat you are paddling and your goals in the sport and then buy the blade that works best for that application.

If you are in a wider boat, just relaxing on the water, think low angle. But that longer, narrower blade is more likely to “flutter” if you dig it deep into the water in a high-angle style. If you want to travel faster, farther in a high-performance boat, think high angle. But remember, unless you use proper technique, that wider, shorter blade is going to put more pressure on your wrists, arms and shoulders than the longer, narrower blade of a low-angle paddle, and probably tire you out quicker. Just remember the proper blade shape is going to offer you maximum performance in whatever paddling style you choose.

Paddler height and boat width determine the correct length. (Tim Jones photo)

ES: What about blade size?

Mongno: This is really common sense and easily determined by your body size. Smaller people would look towards a medium or smaller blade surface area to put less stress and strain on the body. Larger boaters, generally go with a medium- to full-sized blade depending on their fitness level. Remember, a bigger blade is not always going to make you more powerful, especially if you are working too hard to move that extra blade area through the water.

ES: OK, what next?

Mongno: Once you have the proper blade shape and size for you and your paddling style the next step is getting the right fit. Perfect fit will assure comfort and the least amount of energy used with each paddle stroke on the water.

The first choice you are going to make is length, and here are some easy-to-follow rules:

For low-angle paddling, if you are 6 feet tall or less, choose a 220cm. paddle; if you are taller than 6 feet, choose 230cm. And if your kayak is over 28” wide, add 10cm to the length of the paddle.

For high-angle paddling, if you are 6 feet tall or less, choose a 210cm paddle; if you are taller than 6 feet, choose 215cm. Kayak width generally does not come into play here since most high-angle paddlers are in narrow, light touring and touring kayaks.

Choosing a low-angle paddle that's too long will make paddling in a straight line more difficult. (Tim Jones photo)

ES: What’s the penalty if you choose a paddle that’s too long or too short?

Mongno: Well, you should be able to purchase the right paddle by sticking to the simple formula I gave you for low angle and high angle length based primarily on your height. However, let’s say you borrowed a random paddle and it is the wrong fit. For low-angle paddling, too long a paddle is going to seriously affect your tracking. Essentially, you’ll be making a mini sweep-stroke with each stroke, which will make it difficult to paddle in a straight line and you’ll waste energy moving your boat in the wrong direction and correcting. Low-angle paddling with too short a paddle means you are always going to be reaching for the water. You’ll feel tippy, keep hitting the side of the boat with your paddle or your hand, and you won’t be able to submerge the entire blade so your you lose energy with each stroke and your paddling efficiency will suffer.

With high-angle, a paddle that’s too long means your top hand is too far over the top of your head and you can’t generate as much pushing power with the top hand. Too short and you lose catch length, you need to paddle like a windmill to keep up.

"OKay!" This is how you should be gripping your paddle, with relaxed fingers and hands. (Tim Jones photo)

ES: What about shaft options? It seems there are lots of choices.

Mongno: The two basic choices are straight shaft or bent shaft. One benefit of a straight shaft is the familiar feel. We have all used straight shaft at some time and it is what most of us are used to. Other benefits are lighter weight and lower cost. If good technique is used and a paddler holds the paddle loosely  with relaxed hands (grasping the shaft with the “O-Kay” symbol—using just the thumb and forefinger and keeping the other fingers relaxed), most people can paddle all day pain free.

But some of us have developed some aches and pains in hands and wrists through age and overuse. And some people feel more comfortable with a tight grip on the paddle (let’s face it, we all do that when we get nervous in wavy and windy conditions). In those case, a “neutral bent shaft” becomes an insurance policy for your body. The bent shaft always keeps the wrists in an ergonomically correct, straight alignment, putting less pressure on the small tendons and ligaments of the wrist. You paddle farther and harder with less pain. Although bent-shaft paddles are more expensive, that investment can mean spending more time on the water and having more fun. The “neutral bent” allows for a smooth transition from your old paddle, as your hand position is familiar and exactly the same as it was on your straight shaft. The only thing that changes is that your wrists remain straight while paddling.

ES: Any other choices to be made when it comes to shaft?

Mongno: Proper shaft diameter is determined by hand size: Smaller hands would choose a smaller diameter shaft for a more relaxed grip. Larger boaters, generally with larger hands, prefer the standard diameter shaft. Most people are going to feel more comfortable with a standard diameter shaft.

ES: What about feathering?

Mongno: “Feathering,” which is the angle of one blade of the paddle relative to the other blade is entirely a matter of personal preference. Many modern paddles allow you to almost infinitely vary feather angles quickly and easily, which lets you experiment easily and find what feels exactly right for you and your paddling style.

Checking the "swing weight" of a paddle can be fun, just make sure you have enough room! (Tim Jones photo)

ES: What about paddle weight?

Mongno: Well, a lot of people seem to want to judge a paddle just by its overall weight. You’ll see them in a paddle shop hefting one paddle in one hand, another in the other. But that really doesn’t tell you much about the paddles on the water. More important is “swing weight.” A paddle that feels lighter as you move it back and forth through the stroke path, will tire you less, allow you to feel fresher as the miles and hours wear on. You can get an idea of a paddle’s swing weight in the store: grasping the paddle with both hands, hold it parallel to the floor, and twist your torso to move the paddle back and forth in an arc that mimics a good paddling stroke. Just make sure you have space and won’t hit anyone or anything. You’ll pretty quickly feel the difference in swing weight among paddles.

ES: What about ferrules?

Mongno: One of the problems with buying a used paddle is that the ferrule, the joint where the two halves of a two-piece paddle join, can get worn so the paddle feels sloppy. You can actually feel movement between the two halves. Shop for a ferrule system that is easy to use and gives your paddle a solid, one-piece feel when you put it together. If the ferrule is designed well, no matter how many times you take your paddle apart and put it back together, it will never wear out.

ES: Any final words of advice on picking a paddle?

Mongno: Remember that, in a kayak paddle as with anything else,  you get what you pay for.

A higher-end paddle is generally made of lighter-but stiffer material and will flex less, allowing less water to “escape” from the blade face with each stroke. You’ll waste less energy just moving the paddle and create more forward motion. Some higher end paddles (like Werner’s Performance Core) offer buoyant blades which lift from the water more easily. These will help you brace with more confidence and, for experienced paddlers, make rolling easier.

Spend as much as you can afford on your paddle. Your paddle is your engine. With a better paddle, you will use less energy on the water, paddle farther and faster and perform better with less fatigue. That means you’ll paddle more. Think of a good paddle as an investment you can enjoy for a long time.

Special Thanks 

EasternSlopes.com would like to extend a special thanks to Theresa Willette of Coastal Maine Kayak in Kennebunk, Maine for her help with photos for this article (even if it did mean she HAD to go paddling with us on a lovely spring day!). Theresa is an experienced paddler, and exceptional instructor, and a pleasure to paddle with. If you’ve never paddled along the Maine coast (or even if you have . . .), take one of the kayak tours which leave from her shop in the summer. You’ll see some beautiful spots, learn something about kayaking and likely have a wonderful time.

Related posts:

1. How To: Picking A Kayak Paddle
2. How To Pick A Kayak
3. How To: Learn To Roll A Kayak!

The Hen Of The Woods comes to roost in the kitchen--to the delight of all mushroom lovers. (David Shedd photo)

Too much rain can literally dampen a lot of outdoor fun, but it does have one major side benefit: mushrooms sprouting everywhere! Here at EasternSlopes.com, where most of us like to cook and eat almost as much as we like to play outdoors, hunting edible mushrooms is one of our favorite excuses for getting outdoors and having fun.

A lot of folks get a little queasy at the thought of picking and eating wild mushrooms, believing they are going to die a slow, agonizing death if they eat any mushroom that doesn’t come wrapped in cellophane at the supermarket. Well, yes, as a matter of fact, that is exactly what can happen if you aren’t careful. Some of the most enticing mushrooms to look at, are among the deadliest. Some innocent-looking little mushrooms could send your mind exploring alternate universes. And some of the best edibles look like they could kill you. Go figure . . . ?

If you want to be absolutely 100 percent safe, don’t eat any wild mushroom, ever. But what fun would that be? If you are cautious in your approach, learn to identify a few species that can’t be mistaken for anything else, and pick ONLY mushrooms you know, you can safely enjoy eating wild mushrooms. Many of us have done it for decades with no ill effects and none of us are true mushroom “experts”; rather, we are just people who love to eat mushrooms and have learned to pick with caution so extreme that it borders on paranoia. Among us, we currently have a dozen or so mushrooms (of the many hundreds or even thousands that grace the New England landscape) that we’ll pick and eat. These tend to be unmistakable varieties, or ones that we’ve been taught to recognize by real experts.

It’s easy to see the difference between these two mushrooms. One is a delicious edible; the other will kill you—do you know which is which?. Don’t eat any wild mushroom unless you are 100 percent sure you know what it is! (David Shedd photo)

While mushroom hunting is a great excuse to get outdoors and go exploring, we usually find our best mushrooms while we’re doing something else. Some of us have been known to spot a good cluster of Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) while driving a highway at 65 miles per hour . . . .  And, when it’s safe to do so, we’ve been known to slam on the brakes, pull over and harvest them.

We’ve also been known to spot mushrooms on people’s lawns or on the trees in front of their houses and stop, knock on the door and ask permission to pick them. Yes, we get some strange looks sometimes, but people are usually very nice about it.

But hiking is usually a far better way to find most mushrooms, especially some of the smallest, choicest varieties like morels and chanterelles. You can sometimes find edibles along trails—keep your eyes peeled. But the best way to find mushrooms is to go bushwhacking in areas where other people rarely, if ever hike. Think about it. Mushrooms often grow in the same general area year after year. One person sees them growing along a trail and comes back year after year. Good for them, not so good for you. Go find your own mushrooms!

David Shedd, the publisher of EasternSlopes.com, and Tim Jones, the executive editor always take at least one hike a year with the specific intention of finding edible mushrooms. They mainly look for the “Hen Of The Woods” (Grifola frondosa) which is pretty common in rainy fall weather, but various Boletes, Chantarelles and of course, Oyster mushrooms (which also like rainy fall weather) are also on the menu. Typically, they’ll find lots and lots of mushrooms that certainly look edible. But if they aren’t 100 percent sure what they are, they’ll leave them in the woods.

You don’t always have to take long hikes. Last fall, for example, Tim found  a large cluster of Golden Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) and several very choice large King Boletes (Boletes edulis) on his daily stroll down the driveway to the mailbox. Correspondent Susan Marean Shedd seems to have a knack for finding Hen Of The Woods in her neighborhood back yards.

Just learn to identify a few edible mushrooms, always have a knife and some plastic bags handy, and then keep your eyes open as you have fun outdoors.

Executive editor Tim Jones found this unmistakable Giant Puffball at Fort Ticonderoga while on a bicycle tour. All 20 tour participants enjoyed it the next morning at breakfast. (Chip Martin photo)

Pedal-powered Mushrooming

Last fall’s mushrooming season began with a tremendous find. As Tim tells it: “My sweetheart Marilyn and I were riding our tandem bike near Lake Champlain with Vermont Bicycle Tours. One day, we took a ferry ride across Lake Champlain to visit Fort Ticonderoga. While pedaling the access road to the fort, I spotted what looked like a soccer ball in the middle of a lawn and stopped to investigate. It turned out to be the largest giant puffball mushroom (Calvatia gigantea, which some mushroom books describe as ‘edible, choice’) I have ever seen. I might not have seen it from a car, but it was hard to miss from a bike. It was absolutely perfect, still firm, not an insect hole to be seen. So I collected it and handed it to Chip Martin, the tour guide driving the sag wagon for VBT, who had come along at just the right moment.

The next morning at breakfast, Dominic Francis, the chef/owner at Shoreham Inn where we were staying presented our group with a huge platter of puffball done in three styles—grilled, deep fried and sautéed. Everyone at least tried it; I think everyone liked it. I know I sure did. It was one of those special moments that captured the pure joy of finding edible mushrooms.”

Learning Fungi

Look for the Hen Of The Woods near Oak trees, and rejoice when you find one as beautiful (and tasty) as this specimen. (David Shedd photo)

The web is loaded with so many resources on mushrooms that it can get confusing. If you know nothing about the subject, try starting at http://ediblewildmushrooms.com/ from Forager Press, which publishes a number of good mushroom guides. This site gives you five good mushrooms to start with. Add the Giant puffball and Oyster mushrooms and you are well on your way to becoming a proficient collector. Another online resource we’ve used is Mushroomexpert.com.

If you really want to learn mushrooms, however, join a club: You can usually find a local group if you look hard enough—though mushroom hunters are sometimes as elusive as Morels (a particularly tasty but hard-to-find mushroom species that comes out in the spring).

The Northeast Mycological Foundation has an extensive list of local clubs, as does Mushroom, The Journal of Wild Mushrooming. In addition,  The Connecticut/Westchester Mycological Association, The Boston Mycologial Club, and The Berkshire Mycoligcal Society all sponsor regular walks, and there are many others.

Among experts, you’ll learn to see mushrooms you’d miss otherwise. You can put names to them.  Learning to name some, fuels your desire to learn more. Just remember, when picking mushrooms to eat, the rule to live by is “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Related posts:

1. Stalking The Wily Wild Christmas Tree
2. Wild Skating: Put On Your Silver Skates and Go The Distance
3. Getting Started: First-Timer Tries Cross-Country Skiing at Weston Ski Track

A typical view of the forested, undeveloped shores of the Green River Reservoir. (Warner Shedd photo)

Say the word “reservoir” and most people think “drinking water.” Sadly, some (not all!) water supply reservoirs are off limits for recreational boaters, including paddlers. But reservoirs created for either hydropower or flood control can be a dream if you enjoy kayaking and canoeing in unspoiled places!

We were reminded of this when we read Perfect Places to Paddle and The Road Less Paddled by Executive Editor Tim Jones. As Tim points out, the shorelines of flood control reservoirs are, of necessity, undeveloped, and often provide a near-wilderness paddling experience close to home. Generally speaking, power companies, at least here in New England, haven’t allowed much, if any, development along the shorelines of their reservoirs, either. 

This narrow passage between a small island on the left and a large island on the right invites a kayaker to see what's beyond. (Warner Shedd photo)

And on many reservoirs of all sorts, motors are either not allowed or are limited in size; even where motors are allowed, boat speed is often limited, too. This means that the kayak or canoe enthusiast won’t be subjected to the noise and large wakes of jet skis, water skiing, or other noisy, high-speed intrusions. The peace and quiet, plus the absence of shoreline development, can provide a wonderful recreational experience for active seniors, who are apt to be particularly attuned to this sort of relaxed boating. As an added benefit, most of these bodies of water have places to launch canoes and kayaks free or at minimal charge.

With all this in mind, we set out one late September morning last year to explore the Green River Reservoir, less than an hour’s drive from our home. Or, at least, it SHOULD have been less than an hour’s drive. Our trip unfortunately got off to an inauspicious start and took a BIT longer than we had planned. We had canoed this body of water once, many years ago, and therefore were supremely confident that we could easily find it again with no trouble at all. Big, big mistake! What was it that Robert Burns said about “the best laid plans of mice and men”?

The Green River Reservoir is for small boats only. This is the short, broad path leading down from the parking lot to the water, which can be seen in the background. (Warner Shedd photo)

Things had changed over the years, nothing looked familiar, and there were absolutely NO signs to indicate the location of the durned place. It turned out that a covered bridge, the landmark we were aiming for, is no longer there. After driving a maze of back roads in the area for an hour or two, going back, forth, around and around, we were finally forced to ask directions. We should have consulted an up-to-date map. With directions, we eventually reached our destination. Better late than never. . .

This particular reservoir has an interesting history. The Green River (really more a large brook than a river), flows into the Lamoille River which, in turn, runs through the village of Morrisville, Vermont. Long ago, Morrisville started its own Water and Light Department, which, to this day, uses the flow of the Lamoille to generate electricity. Many, many years ago, Morrisville constructed a dam on the upper reaches of the Green River to store water which can be released to augment the flow of the Lamoille River. Thus the Green River Reservoir was born.

This magical, fog-shrouded view greeted us when we finally found the reservoir. (Warner Shedd photo)

For a long time, the reservoir was known mainly to locals and was not heavily used. But the word spread about this beautiful spot, and more and more people visited, creating more and more problems. In 1999, the State of Vermont purchased 5,110 acres, including the 653-acre reservoir, from the Morrisville Water and Light Department, and the area became the Green River Reservoir State Park. Now, the park is well managed and staffed from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. 

On this late September morning, when we FINALLY arrived, there was only one other car in the parking lot. We unloaded our lightweight kayaks and carried them the short distance down to the water on a well-maintained path. Or, rather, we carried my Wilderness Systems Pungo 100 sit-in kayak. Edie’s liquidlogic Coupe has a built in wheel in back which lets you roll it easily to the water. Edie received this kayak as her 75th birthday present; she chose it after testing sit-on-top kayaks for our story Yakking About Kayaks. Incidentally, there is also a wider and more circuitous path to the water specifically designed for people with disabilities.

Edie paddles away onto the misty Green River Reservoir. (Warner Shedd photo)

Even though we had arrived (MUCH) later than planned, a thick mist was still rising off the water as we launched our kayaks. The limited visibility made the whole scene mysterious and magical, like something out of a beautifully filmed movie, only better because it was real and we were there to enjoy it. We split up after launching: Edie paddled along the shoreline looking for birds, while I elected to paddle straight ahead, where at least one island was visible through the mist.

One of the major charms of the Green River Reservoir – and there are many – is its great variety. Over three miles long, it has forested, undeveloped shores, several large islands, and a number of small ones, some very tiny, which provide ever-changing views to the paddler. In addition, there are several long, fairly narrow bays that invite exploration. With the mist on the water, and limited visibility, it was great fun to see an island, large or small, suddenly loom up out of the mist to make it seem like an enchanted place. I made my way around one large, forested island a number of acres in size, past a few smaller islands, and then through a narrow channel between another large island and a much smaller one. It was great fun!

A loon, which surfaced near the kayak, flaps its wings to dry them. (Warner Shedd photo)

Although widely separated, Edie and I were sharing a great treat: the wild and haunting yodeling and wailing of loons echoing across the reservoir. Each year, one or two pairs nest on the reservoir. To our ears, it sounded as if two families of loons on opposite sides of the reservoir were calling back and forth to each other. At times it seemed almost like an echo; one family calling and the other responding almost immediately, with the calling frequent and prolonged. We found it a rare treat to listen to sounds which so powerfully evoke a sense of wilderness.

There are signs at the launch asking paddlers to respect the privacy of the loons and not to approach them too closely. However, loons either can’t read signs very well or aren’t inclined to heed them, because one of the loons kept popping up near my kayak, sometimes within 25 feet. These loony violations of the rules gave me several good opportunities for photographs, which didn’t bother me one whit. Neither did it appear to bother the loon! 

Gradually the mist cleared, and I could see farther and farther ahead. Some splashing up the shore quite a distance ahead caught my eye. As I drew nearer, this resolved itself into a man in a kayak fishing close to shore. I paddled toward him and eventually drew close enough for a very pleasant conversation. It turned out that he and two friends were camped at one of the 28 primitive camp sites on the reservoir, though their campsite was set far enough back in the woods so that it wasn’t visible from the water. 

One of the many small islands to be explored in the Green River Reservoir. (Warner Shedd photo)

It was now getting quite late in the morning, and time to look for my long-lost spouse, so I headed back in the general direction of the landing. Soon, Edie appeared, and we paddled along together, conversing quietly about our separate-yet-shared experience. Off in the distance we could see a very large bird that we decided was an osprey, but it soon disappeared from sight.

Since we had planned to be on the water a couple of hours earlier than we actually were, we had not brought a lunch. So we decided to end this outing and head for a local restaurant to refuel. It had truly been a wonderful adventure, so enjoyable, in fact, that we determined to do this sort of thing more often. We’re making plans for a number of kayak explorations near our home this paddling season– so stay tuned for more on those magical reservoirs!  

Edie checks out the wide, smooth, wheelchair-accessible path leading to the water. (Warner Shedd photo)

If You Go

Before you go, be sure to visit Vermont Department of Forests and Parks. This site also (and this is important because, to repeat, there are no signs to the park) has detailed directions. Don’t make the same mistake that we did and wander around lost for a couple of hours! Be forewarned: the parking lot at the Green River Reservoir is very small, and once it is filled, the park is closed to additional visitors; no parking is allowed along the road.

Because the park is now so popular, we recommend that you plan your visit carefully. One strategy is to arrive very early in the day. Weekdays are always less busy than weekends, and cloudy or rainy days less busy still. Before Memorial Day or after Labor Day are also less busy. If you plan to go before Memorial Day weekend, check the website to be sure that the park is open.

The state charges a very modest $3 per person day use fee for Green River Reservoir. By the way, Vermont offers free lifetime day-use passes for resident seniors 62 years old or older (for a nominal one-time $2 price), good for all Vermont State Parks; click on the section for “Fees“, and scroll down to “Green Mountain Passport.”

Related posts:

1. Active Seniors: Ozark Mountains Part 2: Devil’s Den State Park, Hogeye and Diamond
2. Escape The Heat By Paddling the Charles River (Great Views of Boston, Too!)
3. Active Seniors: Ozark Mountains Part 3: Two Visit-worthy National Sites: The Buffalo River and Hot Springs

Icelandic Horses like to relax as much as they like to work. (Barbara Thomke photo)

Mud season in Vermont is not kind to people who love to play outdoors. But horse riding is a great adventure, and when it comes to spring time, adventures are what you need to get body and soul through Mud Season. That’s our current theory, and to test it, my friend Muffy and I set up a trail ride at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm in Fayston, VT, about an hour’s drive due south from where we live at the western edge of Mt. Mansfield. It was also our spring adventure. Did we enjoy it? Did it inspire us? Will we want to ride Icelandics again in other seasons, you might ask? You, Dear Reader, will have to read on to find our answers to those questions, and decide if an adventure like this might be right for you . . .

Ok, first we want to get this out in the open; Muffy and I are both experienced horsewomen. So we have to admit that, more than just the chance to ride, we were intrigued by the idea of riding Icelandic Horses, a 900-year-old breed we’ve only encountered through picture books, regional horse expositions and more importantly. . . hearsay! We thought it would be a lark to get up close and personal with the critters, compare the reality to all we’d heard about their quiet natures, their terrific work ethic, and their calm, easy going demeanor. How would they rank against animals we had owned and ridden in our combined 90 years (can that be right?!?) of riding? And, more importantly, how well did we think Active Families and, especially, beginner riders would fare riding one of these creatures for the very first time?

Shirley grooming Fleygur. Icelandic horses come in all colors. When this one sheds out he'll be a blue roan. (Barbara Thomke photo)

Getting a Leg Up on An Icelandic Horse

We pulled up to the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm in the Mad River Valley late on a Monday morning. We poked our heads into the barn and Lucy greeted us. “Karen will be right here to take you out,” she called cheerily as we signed our lives away on the requisite release forms. Lucy was mucking stalls and had already tacked up the two mounts we were to ride: Skotta and Rauthka.

One thing you learn quickly about Icelandic horses is that their names are nearly unpronounceable – unless, of course, you try really really hard to wrap your tongue around the sounds. At birth they receive a “first” name which describes them in some way, and a last name which is usually the name of the farm where they were bred. Muffy was to ride Skotta (rhymes with the way someone with a thick Boston accent would say “motor”) which means both ‘good witch’ and ‘horse with mane and tail of different colors’. I was to ride Rauthka (trill the r and rhyme it with vodka) which means ‘red mare’.

Can you say "wicked cute"? Gobs of hair protect Icelandic Horses from the cold climate of their ancestral home which also makes them ideal for Vermont. (Barbara Thomke photo)

Both creatures had kind eyes and perky little ears with mops of mane, tail and forelock (hair on the forehead) making them appear, well, kinda goofy, like over-watered Chia pets. Muffy pulled out her native Vermontese and called them “wicked cute!” On their tip toes they stood about 13 hands high, which is approximately 52″-56″ from the ground to the withers (where the neck smooths out onto the back). They stood both small and narrow, but I’d read they can carry a person up to 225 pounds. What strong critters they must be, I mused. Together Muffy and I wouldn’t reach that poundage and for a moment I chuckled at the thought that the two of us would only require one horse!

Karen Winhold, the owner and operator of Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm since 1988, appeared and we also met Shirley Bate, a professional reading tutor who boards her horse with Karen and was joining us for the trail ride. We had asked to be treated like any other riders showing up for the first time, and Lucy helped Muffy and me mount our steeds. I don’t know about Muffy, but I felt kinda foolish having a groom hold my horse while I climbed up a block to swing into the saddle, like a rank beginner. I’m used to handling my own pony, don’t ya know? Still, it’s nice to know they would take such good care with inexperienced riders! Lucy adjusted our stirrups and tightened the girths so the saddle wouldn’t slip. She offered some advice on how to hold the reins and how much pressure to use with these horses. This assistance would be reassuring to a rider of any age or ability and I made good use of her advice myself.

Icelandics are long-lived creatures. Here is Muffy atop Skotta, a 24 year-old mare, who was spritely and enjoyed being the lead horse on the trail ride. (Barbara Thomke photo)

The Icelandic Riding Experience

With Karen astride Röst and Shirley on her Fleygur (please don’t ask me what their names mean!) we rode out of the yard and up a short driveway to the quiet dirt road that meanders by the farm. The scene was idyllic: tidy farm and the remaining dozen or more Icelandics (and three miniature donkeys – also wicked cute) lounging in their pastures, some lying down soaking up the sun. The barn, stables, house and pastures rest on a hillside with Vermont’s Green Mountains shooting up around on all sides, with a teensy blush of spring green on the trees and small puffy clouds chasing across a crystal blue sky. Perfect day for riding! We could just see a few white ski trails on one of the peaks at Sugarbush far in the distance. I took a deep breath and sighed contentedly.

One thing we noted right away was how easily managed these horses are compared to others we have ridden. The Icelandics ambled along amiably in pairs.Typically when you go on a trail ride you also receive instructions on where your horse falls into the queue, (The bay will only follow the paint, that the pony has to go last or gets upset, and so on). But we didn’t have to worry about any equine pecking order on this day. We rode single file, in any order, in every mix of ones, twos, threes, or fours, all quietly and with no fuss – like bumper ponies bouncing off each other harmlessly! By no fuss I mean the horses exhibited no irritation in relation to each other. They didn’t pin their ears back or attempt to nip, there was no tail swishing as a warning to stay away, and no staring and baring teeth. Even if this lack of assertiveness in establishing a pecking order were the only admirable trait we found in their characters, I already loved them dearly for it. I felt totally at ease.

Learning to Tölt

After about ten minutes with the horses stepping purposefully forward in a ground-covering walk, Shirley asked us if we wanted to try the tölt? Now most horse walk, trot or canter. These Icelandics  can also tölt – a very smooth four beat gait where there is always at least one foot on the ground and that foot acts as an anchor to offer a bounce-free ride. It’s similar to the running walk of a Tennessee Walker—like fast trotting with no jolting. Additionally, some Icelandic Horses are five-gaited, also showing the “flying pace,” a lateral racing gait where the horses can reach up to 30 mph.

Post-tölt smiles! Muffy, Barbara and Karen in the woods, the horses standing quietly for the picture taking. Icelandic Horses are particularly bred for their rideability, a characteristic that is highly prized in the breed. (Shirley Bate photo)

Yes!, we definitely did want to tölt! Shirley instructed us to gather up our reins a little more securely, then she urged Fleygur into a tölt, Karen asked her Röst, and our mounts followed. Suddenly, I was tölting for the first time, and I just started to laugh out loud. The pace was speedy and your butt jiggles a bit with the motion, but otherwise there is no riding technique needed – you are just flying forward, free and easy! Whoo hoo!

When we slowed back to the walk, I was still smiling inside.

Our trail ride continued for another 45 minutes or more. We left the road and climbed up a long, steep hill on an old logging trail, then down the other side, looping around. We appreciated the feel of these sure-footed ponies placing their hooves securely on the uneven ground, while we atop their backs could look around, duck a branch, or chat with our companions. Karen and Shirley had each visited Iceland and seen and experienced how these horses are bred and raised. They knew their history - how the Vikings first brought them to the island aboard their ships to be used for overland transportation. Muffy and I plied the women mercilessly with questions and learned many interesting facts about this fascinating breed (unfortunately too much to tell in this narrative). They are bred to work and socialized in ways specific to Iceland’s terrain and climate. That brings out all the characteristics that make them such good riding partners. Plus, Muffy and I both agree, they are just naturally smart and seem to love having fun!!

We eventually returned to the farm and Lucy met us in the corral. After we’d dismounted from Skotta and Rauthka and removed their tack, Lucy led them to the pasture  where they clearly enjoyed a roll in a dry, sandy spot and a bite of hay. “Life is good,” they seemed to say, and we couldn’t have agreed more. .

Why Ride Icelandic Horses? Why Ride Horses?

We hugged our new pals (the humans) and said good-bye. What an incredibly fun experience we had just enjoyed. That’s why we ride horses!

Muffy is a farmer’s daughter who grew up with animals in Vermont. She’s also a seasoned instructor and veteran organizer and ratings judge in the U.S. Pony Club system. And she’s also a grandmother teaching her own granddaughter to ride. Combine all that experience, and she’s uniquely qualified to tell you some of  the reasons we feel horse riding makes a good family adventure, and in particular why the Icelandic Horses are ideal for this.

Is the eye a mirror of the soul? This Icelandic Horse shows us his kind eye. (Barbara Thomke photo)

Riding the Icelandics

 by Muffy Howard

I  was really looking forward to riding the Icelandic ponies, although my only experience with them was seeing them from afar. They had already impressed me with their speed in their signature gait and their seeming zest for living, tearing around an arena with reckless abandon. In person they were cute to look at and friendly little creatures, but it wasn’t until I was onboard and headed out on the trail that I truly made the connection. They do indeed have a zest for life and they also like to motor right along. Unlike the usual stable horses, they know their job and they do it eagerly, well and safely. Lazy they aren’t. This gives you a great sense of confidence as a rider. 

Because of the marvelous personality of these ponies, I have no hesitation in recommending an Icelandic trail ride  to old and young alike. Being out in nature on a sturdy pony is much different than being on wheels, motorized or otherwise. You have a buddy to share the ride with. You can travel along in comfort (the Icelandic saddles are great) talking with your friends and enjoying the day. It is a great adventure, especially for spring and fall, when the days are cool and the bugs are elsewhere. The guides at the farm regale you with the history of this ancient breed, which helps you understand why they are so good at their job. Most fun of all, you can have the excitement of the tölt, which, as Barbara said, makes you want to laugh out loud.

So get out and give it a try. I can hardly wait to go again. Next time, I’ll bring my eight year-old granddaughter who does have some riding experience. Her own pony is very hard to get going, so I’m sure she will enjoy these zippy little critters!

If You Go

The Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm offers trail rides year ’round and this is a great add-on if you are in the area for skiing at Sugarbush (see a resort review here), or Mad River Glen, cross-country at Ole’s or Blueberry Lake, sledding at Lincoln Gap, or any of the myriad summer adventures you can enjoy in the Mad River Valley.

The folks who run the Horse Farm also run Mad River Inn, which offers special “Bed & Breakfast & Bridle packages” and Inn-to-Inn horseback treks.

Related posts:

1. Family Fun Flotilla!
2. Active Families: Everything Looks Better from the Back of a Horse at Mountain Top Inn & Resort
3. Active Families: Gunstock Mountain Resort Goes Zip Line Crazy For High Ropes Family Fun

In many ways, "Eric" is a very typical kid who loves to be outdoors playing and benefits from his adventures. (Susan Shedd photo)

(Editor note: Here at EasternSlopes.com, we honestly believe that getting outdoors, being active and having fun is important for everyone’s well being. That’s true for people of all ages and all abilities—including those with physical and mental challenges. Susan Marean Shedd, the author of this story, is a social worker in Maine who often takes her clients to the outdoors to help them heal and grow. We’d like to offer our thanks to Jane and Walter, the adoptive parents, for sharing their story about their amazing son, and to Shawnee Peak Resort for helping make this possible. To protect his privacy and confidentiality, his name has been changed. Here’s “Eric’s” story:)

My friend Eric is a smart, athletic nine year old boy, who also happens to be a survivor of horrific family violence. Though he has now been adopted into a stable, loving home, Eric was brutally shaken as an infant by his biological father. This violence left him with broken legs and broken ribs, which healed quickly, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) which still impacts his life today. TBI impairs Eric’s personality, emotions, judgment, self-monitoring abilities, and organization skills. He has difficulties with his awareness of his own abilities and limitations, with planning and anticipation, problem solving, and with self-control. Still, Eric loves to get outdoors and have fun. And sometimes, “fun” is just what’s needed to spur mental and social development.

Last November, Eric and I were out riding bikes together. Destination: the playground. Not only was he learning road safety, WE were  getting great exercise! We arrived at  the playground with lots of energy, so we played cops and robbers (I, of course, was the bad guy!).

After we returned home that day, we started discussing what we could do together during the winter months. He wanted to play ice hockey on the pond in his backyard. While I love to be outdoors and being active, I’ll pass (no pun intended) on a hockey puck flying in my direction. So, we started thinking of other things we could do together. Ski? Well, we live in Maine, and with Shawnee Peak nearby, we had the start of a plan. But there was one hurdle: Eric decided  that if he didn’t have his own skis, he wasn’t going. Eric’s Mom and Dad turned a little pale; buying even used ski equipment would be tough on their budget. But, they graciously offered to do their part. We all decided that the real work was going to have to come from Eric; in order to meet his goal, he would have meet his responsibilities.

Sometimes, it’s easy for a child with a mental illness to expect that life is a “gimme.” As Eric’s mother says so wisely,  “It is hard not to just take care of the illness/disability; it takes real work to parent the child.” We all decided that Eric would work collaboratively with his parents to earn money to purchase his own ski equipment. He made a checklist with his mom:

Each day, he would:

• Get himself dressed without being told
• Pick up toys and hockey equipment
• Keep his bedroom neat
• Use nice manners
• Eat dinner at the table with his parents
• Brush his teeth without being told

In addition, he would volunteer at the local animal shelter three times a week.

Some of these may seem trivial, but they are monumental steps in Eric’s world, goals that Eric and his family had struggled with.

Would you please hurry up? I'm waiting... (Susan Shedd photo)

Fast forward to February school vacation – Eric had achieved his goal and his parents took him out shopping to buy him used skis! He not only earned the money for skis but was motivated to set new goals for the future.

He was so excited! I picked him up at 7:00 a.m. in freezing rain. Truth be told, if it wasn’t for Eric, I would have gladly stayed in. But this wasn’t about me, it was about him – we were celebrating his  accomplishments! We sang in the car on the way to Shawnee Peak, and he excitedly told me about the trails he wanted to show me. Despite the weather, there were no clouds over our morning. We arrived at the slopes eager to gear up!

Eric stated that he wanted to start on the Pine Quad Chairlift, so that’s where we headed first. Unfortunately, before we could start our first run down Happiness Trail, we had to wait. In his excitement, Eric had inadvertently dropped his pole from the chairlift. He’d been waiting for this day for several months now, and here were; ready to go, but we couldn’t because he only had one pole! While we were waiting, Eric got to display his patience. We talked about how hard he had worked to here. Soon enough,patience was rewarded, the staff at Shawnee Peak delivered  the errant pole, and we were off.

At first, he was wobbly and nervous. He wanted so badly to show me what he was capable of (and, if I were in his shoes, I would have felt the same way, wouldn’t you?). Falls brought aggravation, not giggles. Not a great start. So, we talked about it and decided together that our next run would be on the easier Rabbit Run Double. GREAT decision!

Eric immediately felt comfortable here. He was able to practice his turns without fear. Suddenly, we were skiing together! He was cautious and meticulous with his turns, and we were having a blast! We did this run a few more times, and then Eric asked if we could try the Pine Quad Lift again. At this point, we were both feeling comfortable with his abilities, and I didn’t hesitate.  ”Yes.” We tried Happiness Trail again, but this time, we were flying down the mountain, both smiling like crazy. Even the sun seemed to celebrate Eric’s success by making a welcome appearance!

"Speedy Gonzales" shows his stuff! (Susan Shedd photo)

After several trips down Happiness, our time was drawing near an end, and we wanted to finish with the smiles that we just couldn’t seem to wipe off our faces. Eric asked if we could go to the top . . . this meant riding up the Summit Triple. Based on our day at this point, the answer was yes, but with a condition. Together we discussed his limitations, and together we decided that we should play it safe. We decided to get off at the mid-station and ski down Riley’s Run. This was our best run of the day! Eric was comfortable making turns and stopping when he wanted. Once in awhile, he would stop, look at me and smile big, and then take off again. The sun was out, we were surrounded by other happy skiers. We skied to the bottom like there was no tomorrow  . . . WHAT a day!

Not only was this a special day for us, but Shawnee had a “Family Day ” event going on and and skiers and riders of all ages were dressed in costume on the slopes. As we approached the lodge, families were making snow sculptures…there was music and laughter everywhere, and Eric was just another kid having fun on the slopes!

For  Eric, his parents, and me, this day outdoors and all that led up to it was a gift. Eric made amazing progress, took more steps toward a better life.

Sort of makes you wonder about what you could be doing, doesn’t it? Eric’s challenges are clear, but what challenges do you face that keep you from getting outdoors, having fun and making your world better? And what do you do that you could share with someone who faces challenges in life? For another view of this, see Cassie Willner’s story on volunteering for Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports.

This whole experience only reinforced my belief that everyone has the capacity to LIVE an enriched life no matter what challenges they are facing. Eric ‘s world has forever changed, his horizons have expanded, and now he’s talking about other outdoor activities that he’d like to try: hiking, fishing, backpacking, camping, sliding, and cross country skiing. He’s an incredibly special young man and he’s not going to let anything stop him.

Resources: 

If you or someone you know has suffered from a brain injury or simply suffers from mental illness please reach out – there is help and there is hope!

For help with brain injury, visit the Brain Injury Association of America for more information and resources.

For non-injury related mental illness. Contact your primary care physician’s (PCP) office for referrals, your local Emergency Crisis Center, or Department of Health and Human Services for resources.

Related posts:

1. Family Skiing In Aroostook County – A Completely Different Maine Experience!
2. Resort Snapshot: Spring Night Skiing Wachusett Mountain, 3-08-11
3. Getting Started: First-Timer Tries Cross-Country Skiing at Weston Ski Track

Worry not! There are lots of tricks to help you turn your inertia into motion. The one very best tip that has worked for me is the one I’d like to pass along to you: make a regular date to exercise.

The Monday Night Riders pose for a group photo during their annual June biking weekend in 2010. (Barbara Thomke photo)

To Exercise . . .  SOCIALIZE!

I believe there’s only one way to build an exercise habit, and that’s to exercise routinely. And there’s only one way to exercise routinely, and that’s with a buddy. I promise you, when you find your own personal exercise partner, your motivation will soar. Here’s my story:

Twenty years ago we moved into the development where we still live. There are walking paths among the houses and one day my husband Bob and I were taking a stroll. We saw Beth weeding her garden and Bob introduced us. Beth was a member with him on the homeowners’ association board. We chatted for a while, Beth telling us remorsefully that she had lost her walking buddy to a relocation move. “Barbara will walk with you,” I heard my husband tell her.

Now my husband is a smart man. He’d NEVER volunteered me without checking with me first. Except he just did. WHAT was his motivation? Could it possibly have been that he thought I needed more exercise?

All of this went through my head in a fraction of a second. “Sure,” I heard myself say, and before I knew what was happening to me, Beth and I had a 5:30 am walking date on Tuesdays and Thursdays! It lasted for many years, developed into biking one of those mornings in the summer, and into snowshoe forays in the winter – all at that unearthly early hour. Neither of us ever wanted to disappoint the other with a no-show, so we always went, rain or shine, heat or cold, in sickness and in health. And that’s precisely the way an exercise date works!

You may not have such an easy time of finding a walking buddy, unless of course your partner is as equally outspoken (brave? foolhardy?) as mine and ready to fix you up. But with a bit of imagination I’ll bet you can find ONE from your store of acquaintances. Who among your neighbors, your book club, church members, charity volunteer crew needs more exercise?  Hey, the next time you are at a neighborhood cocktail party, just ask. It might set you up with an exercise partner for the next 20 years.

The Monday Night Riders become the Sunday Afternoon Snowshoers in the winter, here climbing the Nebraska Notch Trail in the Mount Mansfield State Forest, Vermont. (Barbara Thomke photo)

Socialize To Exercise

Where one exercise buddy is good, more can sometimes be better. Bob and I discovered another exercise nirvana. It’s a cycling group called the Wednesday Night Riders (WNR). Somehow, I’m not sure how (maybe someone looking for more exercise buddies—or new victims?), but a number of years ago, we received an invitation from a member to participate in their rides. They ride for 16-20 miles on a variety of routes near Shelburne, Vermont. We were told they had a ”fast” group and a “slow” group.

Given my riding strength and endurance at the time, I was skeptical. No, make that VERY skeptical. But I let myself be talked into giving it a try. Bob promised to pedal with me in the slow group – which turned out to be pretty fast for me! I strategically positioned myself at the tail end of the peloton and, I’m proud to say, mostly kept up. I had enough fun to try it again and, over time, I got better. Neither Bob nor I ever “graduated” to the fast group. But don’t feel sorry for us – we preferred the mellower gang in the slow group! We also liked joining them afterwards at the local Italian restaurant for dinner! That’s when we had a chance to get to know the members. This one-time date to try out the WNR turned into a slew of new friends and multiple invitations to rides on weekends, for longer summer tours with overnights, and even dinner invitations with no biking required!  My advice: Just say yes to an exercise invitation!

Exercise Begets Exercise

From the WNR concept Bob and I developed a group of Monday Night Riders in our own community. By the end of that first cycling season, the MNR gang had had so many good times we didn’t want to stop. So we morphed for the winter into the Sunday Afternoon Snowshoers and continued our exercise gatherings (and potluck dinners!) all winter long. We all have so much fun that nobody ever wants to miss a “meeting” and we end up exercising together pretty much year ’round!

Other tips that help to make an exercise habit stick

*Break out of your procrastination by taking one small step. Make that first date to exercise and stick to it.

*Choose something fun to do. Remember, when we were kids, exercising outdoors used to be called “play”!

* Set yourself up for success by preparing for your exercise date ahead of time – set out your clothes and shoes, water bottle, snack, or whatever is required for your rendezvous.

*Be prepared to make lifestyle changes. Begin with small changes such as walking once a week. Over time you will get the exercise bug and expand the schedule as your motivation grows and your fitness increases. But you have to start where you are.

*Don’t question the “why” or “where” or “how”. Just do it. When you have a regular date, you’ll know the “who” and the “what” part.

*Be committed to your buddy or group of friends. They depend on you as much as you depend on them.

*Exercising in a fun way is key and provides opportunities to meet new people. Check online in a community forum or in the local newspaper for the startup of a outdoor sports group or form your own. It’s contagious!

*Join a class. Then show up early and talk to others. Ask questions. Make friends.

Finally, may I just say again, make a date to exercise, you won’t regret it!

Related posts:

1. Active Seniors: Get Going With An Exercise Plan
2. How To: Group Dynamics In The Great Outdoors

Tires are all-important when you're taking a corner fast in a pack. Is it possible to get race quality grip and ride quality AND reduce your number of flats? (Susan Marean photo)

The average cyclist doesn’t get a lot of chances to test tires…they typically ride the tires that come on the bike, then grab whatever’s available at their local bike shop, or what’s on sale online, when those wear out. But one of the most common discussions among riders on long group bike rides is “what tires are you on?”

The connection between a rider and the earth is so much more immediate and important on a bike than in a car that it’s easier to feel the differences; there’s no power steering between you and the tires to deaden the sensations, and, of course, ride comfort dramatically affects butt comfort after a few hours in the saddle. Choose the wrong tires, and a bike can feel numb, sketchy or overly stiff.

Beyond those characteristics, though, is one that’s not as often discussed, and that’s reliability.  Simply put, if you take a tire under high pressure with a lot of weight on it and run it over a nail, staple, piece of glass, or sharp-edged piece of rock, the foreign object is likely to penetrate it. Most of the time, the natural flexing of the tire will spit the nasty back out; if you look carefully at the tread of an older pair of tires, you’ll see innumerable small cuts.  Particularly as the tread wears over time, those cuts become uncomfortably close to the casing of the tire, the last line of defense between the tube, the sharp object, and the psssssssssss that signals, at best, a break in your ride, time spent repairing/replacing the tube, getting your hands filthy and messing up that white bar tape you just put on . . . At worst, it can mean a lot of walking the bike, hitchhiking, or hoping your sweetheart is answering the cell phone and can come pick you up.

A few years ago, I had what’s best described as “one of those summers.”  A total of 12 flats, two tires slashed to the point of needing replacement, and a ridiculous amount of time wasted/rides ruined; I was ready for a change. As a racer, my focus had always been on the lightest, grippiest tire available; but was there something out there that would be light and fast AND reliable?

A handful of tests later, I wasn’t all that excited.  Most of the major companies were putting flat protection on their lower end tires, which meant heavier tires and less grip. In addition, the extra layer of casing led to a less supple feel. Given that the greatest need for flat protection is on rough roads, it was almost  a Catch-22; put on tires that would allow me to enjoy a ride without flats, then hate the ride because the bouncing was painful. Great. I borrowed a friend’s Continental “Gatorskin” tires; they felt fine at first ride, but with a price tag of $65 each, they’re a stretch on most wallets (including mine), so unfortunately weren’t an option.

Clearly, I wasn’t getting to where I wanted to go, literally or metaphorically. Then, a breakthrough. Testing of the Kenda Small Block 8 cyclocross tire revealed a supple casing that flowed over terrain and helped make up for some of my bike handling deficiencies. Yet, the Small Block 8 also had Kenda’s “Iron Cloak” flat protection system. That raised several questions; would the suppleness disappear in a smaller road tire casing, would Kenda’s tire technology allow for a light enough tire with enough grip to make it a serious alternative to the big boys…and, frankly, would the Iron Cloak actually work, or is it just hype?

After one particularly nasty encounter with glass on a group ride (with multiple riders getting flats), the Kriterium was clearly gashed to the Iron Cloak layer; now, 1000 miles later, it's still working perfectly (David Shedd photo)

Might as well try the worst case scenario first, right?  So, I put a pair of Kenda’s lightest tires, the Kalientes, on my lightest wheels. Rated to weigh in at 190 grams, they actually came in at 205; still, that’s competitive with some of the lightest racing tires out there. And, immediately it was clear that they were NOT excessively stiff; in fact, ride quality was on a par with the Hutchinson racing tires I’d been using. Even more surprising, given that they were nearly half the price, was the road feel; rock solid on descents, grippy and predictable in corners. Very confidence inspiring, and after a good part of the summer on them as racing and training tires, treadwear was reasonable. Around 1500 miles into them, they still hadn’t developed a wide flat spot, which to me signals the time to get rid of them as it compromises handling and increases road friction.

Better still…not a single flat! Now, that’s anecdotal; it IS possible to go through a season without getting any flats. But, I HAD been on multiple group rides where one or more people had flatted out, and had been aware that I’d ridden over glass several times. Not bad.

With fall and winter riding coming, I wanted to switch over to a tire with a bit more beef to it; the roads get worse, they’re wet more often (you get more flats when it’s wet, for two reasons; one, things stick to your tires longer, and two, you can’t see and avoid bits of glass), and changing a tire when it’s below freezing or in a November rain is just plain miserable. So, I switched to the Kenda Kriteriums. Still a light tire, they’re designed more for the rough city road characteristics of a criterium race than the ultralight Kalientes, which are geared more toward long road races with lots of climbing. And, their handling characteristics were remarkably similar to the Kalientes; I was immediately comfortable on them.

A winter later, nothing had changed my opinion…and still no flats. With the Tour of the Battenkill race coming up and my comrades who had done it before strongly recommending larger tires, I switched over from the set of 700x23s to 700x25s. That allowed me to run lower pressures, which made the back roads of the Battenkill race more comfortable (and when you’re comfortable on dirt roads, you go a LOT faster). The Kriteriums performed beautifully, still rolling fast on the pavement, but soaking up the worst bumps and giving me traction that allowed me to make up time on faster riders in the dirt sections. My finish was better than I’d expected, even given that one of my teammates had dropped his chain in a climb, which meant leaving the group I was in and going back to help him.

With that much personal experience on the tires, and all of it positive, it was time to see what other riders would think. We put two other people on Iron Cloak equipped tires; one woman rider who tends to do group rides (group rides are a worst case scenario for flats, as you can’t see or avoid glass, nails, or anything else in the road), and one commuter. Feedback was identical to mine…the tires felt great, and zero flats, period.

Long story short…at this point, I’m at nearly 3 years on Kenda tires with Iron Cloak, and among the three riders, there’s probably around 5000 miles on them. The score? Three flats in total, all pinch flats, which are caused by hitting objects that cause the tube to get caught between the tire and the rim. NO tire can stop that from  happening. Other than that…zero flats. Now, I’m not cocky enough to think they’re foolproof; hitting a nail or tack straight on is still likely to cause penetration, and a long piece of glass or sharp metal edge could still slash the tire. But short of that, these things are the most durable tires I’ve ever used.

The Iron Cloak shows in red on the left; the Endurance uses that, plus another layer directly on the tread area, for even more protection (Courtesy Kenda USA)

While all of that testing was going on, Kenda decided to up the protection game with the Kriterium Endurance; basically, take the Kriterium and add yet another layer of protection along the tread.  Winter riding season was almost upon us, so I decided to give them a try. The 700×23 turned out to be difficult to mount on my wheels; the added stiffness created by the belt made it hard to get the tube inside the casing, and the casing definitely appeared to be smaller than a normal 700×23.  Also, the ride quality definitely deteriorated. At the pressures I need to run to avoid pinch flats, they had a feel more like other, less appealing, tires with flat protection. The 700×25, on the other hand, was much easier to work with; and, running them at a slightly lower pressure gave them much the same feel as the standard Kriteriums. Our recommendation?  If you’re a lightweight (say, under 140 pounds) and can run 90 psi in the 700×23, fine…but if you’re heavier, head straight for the 700×25. It’s slightly heavier (the 25 came in at 295 grams), but these AREN’T race tires…they’re training tires with similar handling characteristics to the ones you WOULD race. If I spent more of my time riding in urban environments with lots of road debris, these would be my first choice for daily riding.

Are the Iron Cloak tires the only ones out there with flat protection? Nope…there are plenty of others now. Will the others work better or worse? Only testing will tell.  The most important point, though, is that knowing there are tires that help you avoid flats without a major weight penalty or compromising ride and handling significantly means that there’s no reason to buy tires without that extra security. The cost savings in tubes alone can be relatively large, and the savings in time and shredded nerves from not having to fix a flat in lousy conditions, or try to thumb a ride home with a pair of flats, is beyond price. I’ve definitely been enjoying having that worry lessened; let’s hope it works that way for you!

Related posts:

1. How To: Winter Cycling In Safety And Comfort
2. Rolling Into Winter On Skis
3. Road ID: It’s Not Just For Cycling Anymore (Plus A Chance To Win Your Own!)

The coffee ritual may not quite be as old as time itself, but it certainly predates the Caucasian invasion of North America. For many, it goes beyond the drink itself; generations of adolescent males looked upon that first 4 a.m. cup at hunting camp as a rite of passage, their first acknowledgment of becoming a man among men.

Can modern backcountry options like the GSI Java Press actually produce decent coffee? We were shocked to find out just HOW good! (David Shedd photo)

However, the true awfulness of that camp cup is legendary in its own right. A couple of handfuls of grounds thrown into a pot of boiling water produces something that’ll curl your hair, even if you don’t have any. Methods to make it more drinkable are bandied about…add some salt, or an egg white, or even eggshells. None of ‘em work.

Now, many hunting camps these days have electricity, and there are good solutions for car camping, too (including propane powered coffeemakers!). But for backpacking? Yup, that morning cup is about as close to rock bottom as it gets in this age of high technology.

Humans being what they are, though, solutions HAVE been created, with varying degrees of success. Hard-core AT thru-hikers who cut the handles off their toothbrushes have spent their “luxury” weight allowance on little enamel or aluminum espresso makers for years; yeah, they work, but they’re messy, difficult to use, and ridiculously inefficient. This is the 21st century, though, and if we can manage to create global warming, we ought to be able to come up with something better than that. In a spirit of true altruism, we decided to look around and see what we could find…and, in fact, it’s good! After a bunch of testing, we broke it all down into three categories; instant, drip, and french press. Read on for our favorites!

Instant Products

No longer just “instant coffee”, which brings up soul-searing memories of Sanka, there are actually some mostly drinkable options in this class. First comes true instant coffee…granules or chunks in a jar, just waiting for some hot water to become liquid Ebola. Every once in a while, we get suckered into trying something new…I mean, “Medaglia D’Oro Instant Espresso” simply HAS to be better, doesn’t it? Ummm…no. It really isn’t.

The only thing we’ve found that actually is slightly better came from an oddball European import store, and goes under the label of “JFK Indian Instant Coffee”. The texture is a little finer (it’s spray dried, according to the can, and does have a very unusual, very fine crystal structure), the flavor a little less disgusting. It says right on the can, “Best Instant Coffee”, so of course it must be. Best use? Climbing Everest, where a few extra ounces might actually be a life-or-death choice. It IS, at least, cheap, at $1.79 for more than you’d ever want to drink.

Today's instant coffee options no longer require a skull & crossbones on the label, particularly with the Starbucks VIA and Java Juice. (David Shedd photo)

However, there ARE two instant options that are drinkable. The first is Starbucks’ “VIA”, a somewhat odd little packet with a mixture of instant coffee and microground coffee beans. The basic idea is that you’re sort of brewing itsy bitsy coffee beans that are so small you won’t notice when you drink the grounds, and will make you forget that there’s actual instant coffee in there too. And, it’s pretty close to the truth. The texture is ever-so-faintly gritty, but the flavor is MILES ahead of standard instant.

Oddly enough, though, it doesn’t have much of any aroma, which was a big issue for some testers; as one put it “Coffee smells better than it tastes, so this is sort of the worst of both worlds.” Clearly, he hadn’t had enough caffeine yet that morning. Overall, though, people enjoyed it, particularly when they tasted it next to regular instant. Yes, it’s at a premium price over the other stuff (depending on where/how much you buy, it’ll run you a little under $1/cup), but worth it. In terms of quick, easy, light, and compact, this is pretty much the gold standard at this point.

The other option is coffee extract, sold under the name “Java Juice”.  If you’ve ever gone on a cruise, you’ve likely had coffee made from extract (for them, finding space for everything they have to carry plus reducing weight is extremely important, so it’s extract over grounds).  Java Juice definitely has some advantages over VIA, particularly in the texture; no grittiness. It has a relatively smooth, mellow flavor; it appears that the process of making the extract removes some of coffee’s “edge” and acidity. And, it doesn’t suffer from VIA’s lack of aroma; however, if you put it into near-boiling water, or put it into cold water and heat it, it “burns”, giving it an odd smell that one tester described as “hints of inner tube.”  The best way to use it is to heat the water to a little hotter than you’d want to drink, then add it; that gives the best taste AND aroma (and, it reduces fuel use, as you don’t have to bring the water to a boil). If you’re going to  use it when it’s cold out, take some hot water and pre-heat your cup before you put the water and extract in it for drinking, or you’ll have iced coffee shortly. If you like “burly” coffee, this is NOT for you…if you’re more a latte and cappuccino type, it’ll be right up your alley.

Downsides? It can be a little messy; once you open a packet, make sure that you put it somewhere safe OUTSIDE your tent if you don’t use it all in your first cup, or you’re pretty much guaranteed to have it all over everything you own (although Java Juice is supposedly coming in little bottles soon; we’ll let you know how it works and tastes). And, finally, price; it’s a little more expensive per packet than the VIA, generally a bit over $1, although it’ll make 10-12 ounces vs. VIA’s 8. Choose your weapon!

Drip Products

Fair warning here…we tend to have a bias against drip coffee in camp. Why?  It’s messy, fussy, and fraught with danger. Putting a big drip filter arrangement on top of a big container on a surface that’s not-quite-level and not-quite-stable is just looking for trouble, and Murphy tends to visit when you’re half awake; in other words, before you’ve had your coffee. If you want to see a grown man cry, watch him when he pours his hot water into a drip filter setup, just gets it to the top, and THEN it tips over.

Dr. Drip makes it easy to get that caffeine fix in any situation! (Susan Marean Shedd photo)

Beyond that issue is a pair of problems inherent to the drip process. The first is a time issue; drip requires pouring water into a filter…then more water…then more water…then…um, yeah. Boring at best, and really a pain on those mornings when you’re breaking camp and moving on. The second is that pouring HOT water into an open filter on a COLD morning leads to lukewarm coffee. Yuck. It’s often weak, too, as coffee gets its flavor from hot water going through the grounds. Three strikes, and drip is out.

Except…if you’re talking single cup. That’s much easier to deal with; shorter time to brew so less chance for it to get cold, smaller filter setup so less chance of tippage, and less damage to everything around if (when?) it DOES spill. There’s a host of options in this world, but most of them don’t excite us; they’re bulky, heavy, and just sit on top of the cup. Yeah, less likely to tip, but still pretty chancy in the morning fog (internal, not atmospheric). Still, there are a couple of options that actually make SOME sense.

The first is actually a disposable filter/coffee combination from Dr. Drip. We’ve tested it before, and found it good. It consists of a sealed packet with a cardboard filter pre-loaded with coffee grounds. Take it out, open it up, get it to sit on your cup, and pour water through. After you’re done, chuck the grounds and either burn the filter or tuck it back in the package and carry it out. It’s light, easy to use, surprisingly stable, and tastes VERY good. It’s the perfect option for the organizationally challenged; no possibility of getting out there, pulling out your filter, and finding you left your favorite grind at home. Weakness? Price; at $9 for 5 packets plus shipping, you’re talking coffee shop prices. But, at least the quality is closer to your favorite barista’s pull than the other prepackaged solutions we’ve tried.

GSI's Ultralight JavaDrip earns the name, makes good camp coffee, AND fits into the bottom of a fuel canister! (David Shedd photo)

Now, if you can remember your coffee and want a more financially prudent solution, GSI Outdoors has a wonderful little gadget called the Ultralight Java Drip ($9.95). Typical of GSI design, it’s made to fit inside the bottom of a fuel canister, taking up no useful space for the ultralighters. They aren’t kidding either; we were able to put it inside our GSI Dualist kit, making one of the most extraordinary products we’ve tested even more amazing. And, at less than one-half ounce…well, that’s about the weight of the toothbrush handle they sawed off.

Slick little product, too, with legs on it that clip onto your cup. Stability is, for drip, excellent, as long as you’re awake enough to actually get the legs clipped on to your cup. Testers initially were disappointed, saying the coffee was “weak” and “thin.” Further testing found that the water moves through the filter so quickly that regular drip grind coffee doesn’t work; something more like an espresso grind is much better. And, even then, the most serious coffee afficionados felt that it took a very robust coffee to get a good flavor. Prepare your grounds appropriately, though, and you can get a very decent cup of coffee easily and pretty quickly.

French Press

For JetBoil and Primus EtaSolo users, the JetBoil french press accessory is the lightest way to get quality coffee in the backcountry (David Shedd photo)

The exact opposite of drip for backpacking logistics, french press coffee is IDEAL for groups. Why? Because the water goes inside a carafe, which is then covered and put aside to brew. Chances of spillage, minor; loss of heat, much less. As with drip, there are a lot of options, including coffee cups which have their own little french press setup in them. We’re not big fans; those seem like too much weight, bulk, and mess. For solo drinking, we’ll probably stick with the drip.

But, we’ve got an old favorite and a new for multi-person joe. The old is JetBoil’s tried-and-true Coffee Press. This is the hyperlight solution for any JetBoil user; at .8 ounce, it’s hard to make an excuse to not take it. And, at $14.95, it’s not exactly going to break the bank; coffee grounds are cheaper than VIA or Java Juice, so you’ll pay it off in no time. Weaknesses?  Two. First, you have to be a Jetboil user (although the Primus EtaSolo has the same dimensions, so you can use the Coffee Press with that, as well). Second, French press coffee has always been famous for a certain amount of…well, mud in the bottom of the cup. And the nature of the JetBoil setup allows for more of it than your home press. It’s a tradeoff; it’s lighter, and muddier. We’ll forgive it its transgressions for the ease of getting that morning cup going. Sizing of the pot makes it ideal for two people, or possibly three; start getting up to 4, and you can’t get a decent cup for each person out of the first pot. Short someone on that initial cup, and you can pretty much assume there’s gonna be a fight, particularly when the coffee actually tastes good.

The silicone "wiper" ring in the GSI Java Press produces coffee that's probably better than what you're making at home (David Shedd photo)

And now we come to the state-of-the-art in backcountry coffeemakers…the GSI Outdoors Java Press. Available in 50, 30, and 20 ounce versions, it’s simply the best coffeemaker we’ve ever taken backpacking, period. Why? Three reasons. First, it’s as unbreakable and undentable as anything we’ve seen. Second, it has an insulating sleeve around a plastic carafe with a double-walled insulating lid…it keeps coffee hotter than anything that could rationally be taken backpacking (GSI’s Glacier Stainless press might do better, but at twice the weight makes no sense at all. Plus, it costs more.) But third, and here’s the real kicker, it has an innovative silicone “wiper” around the plunger that virtually eliminates “mud,” without getting rid of the wonderful, creamy texture that french press is famous for. We compared it to our home press…it’s better.

People have used “oh, the coffee’s lousy” as an excuse to avoid going backpacking in the past; now, they have to avoid staying home! We’re fans of the 50 ounce press; it’s the most flexible in terms of the number of people that it can serve. At 14.6 ounces, it isn’t ultralight, but the 30 ounce press only saves 4.3 ounces, and we’ll carry the extra to only have to make a single pot most days. The 20 ounce version is sort of ridiculous; it weighs more than the 30, so it’s off our list. With a $37.95 retail, the 50 ounce Java Press a smoking hot bargain if you really care about your coffee.

Hundreds of jolts and buzzes later, we’re more convinced than ever that backcountry coffee doesn’t have to be your cross to bear anymore. With this many quality solutions, waking up in a tent just gets better and better. Pick your favorite, get out there, and enjoy a mountain sunrise with some good joe!

Related posts:

1. How To: Backpacking Camping Checklist
2. Gear Review: MSR’s Flex 4 & GSI’s Pinnacle Camper 4-Person Backpacking Kitchens
3. How To: Camp Hygiene Basics

We want sunshine. We want to peel off our down layers and tramp around in t-shirts. We want that special day when the snow is nice and firm in the morning, giving way to softened springtime bliss by the afternoon. And we found it last weekend in March!

Looking up the Gap. (Cassie Willner photo)

My group of friends waits patiently for the perfect day when all the elements combine for the annual impromptu Sled the Gap event. Usually someone gets the ball rolling when he or she spies what looks like a good forecast for the weekend, and then the email chain starts up in full force. Often we end up sledding when the sap starts running—both are magical rites of springtime in Vermont.

The Gap refers to the Lincoln Gap, a pass that crosses over the spine of the Green Mountains from Lincoln to Warren. If you’ve ever driven over the Lincoln Gap, then you know it’s badass. The 20% grade is ridiculously steep, and at the top it pitches to a punishing 24% grade. If you’ve ever biked over the Lincoln Gap, pat yourself on the back. That is some serious cycling.

Here’s why we choose the Gap as our sacred sledding spot: it’s closed in the winter. No plows or cars can go over, and the road is entirely blocked on both sides. In fact, we’re not the only ones onto this “secret spot.” Many people make the trek to sled down the wide track of road cutting through the woods. Some come to sled, others to backcountry ski, and some even to hike up on snowshoes to Mt. Abraham (accessible by the Long Trail which runs across the top of the pass). It’s a beautiful place to tramp around without any sounds or signs of traffic in the protected Green Mountain National Forest.

Susan and her son on a tandem run. (Cassie Willner photo)

Most people come at it from the Lincoln side because of the easier approach, and you simply drive up as far as you can and park at the end of the plowed road. Everyone has to hike in with their sleds and supplies—thankfully the sled is a wonderful device to drag up overstuffed bags and beer. I ended up being the lucky one who got to drag in firewood.

Base camp is at a wide, flat section about a mile or so from the top of the Gap. Here, we built a small fire for roasting hot dogs, sausages, and s’mores. People parked their provisions, hung out, and made new friends. Kids and dogs enjoyed the run of the land, while the adults readied themselves for the hike up to the top.

Before we went up for a run, there was a lot of discussion around sledding strategy. Namely, which type of sled  is best (as in fastest)? Steerable sleds got a lot of votes.

Rebecca and Jon Copans show off their customized sleds. (Cassie Willner photo)

Perhaps that’s because a little earlier, a group of five men had come flying down right into base camp headfirst on their Hammerhead Sleds. Hammerhead Sleds is a company based in Essex Junction, Vt. and these sleds are fast. They bill their products as all-mountain, lightweight, performance sleds. Undoubtedly these guys were having serious fun on their sleds and would win in the speed category. Let it also be known that these guys all wore helmets, as did many of the people in our group, which is always recommended for safety when sledding steep slopes or easy terrain alike. Also recommended are goggles, waterproof gloves and pants, and sunscreen!

No one in our group brought a Hammerhead but we enjoyed ogling them. Jon and Rebecca Copans seemed to have their old-school sleds dialed in more than others: they insisted that cheap plastic red sleds are the best. They modified their sleds by slicing off the front plastic “nose” so the sled won’t nosedive into the snow, and hot-glued a piece of an old yoga mat inside the sled to provide traction and seating comfort.

After this year’s Sled The Gap, I discovered that Clearwater Sports in Waitsfield rents Mad River Rocket sleds for $15/day. They also offer a guided “Rocket-Shoeing Adventure”  snow-shoe-and-sledding day trip up Lincoln Gap with the rocket sleds for $55/person.

You gotta earn your turns! Hiking up the Gap. (Cassie Willner photo)

When we finally lined up at the top and pushed off, laughter and hilarity ensued. Some pitched forward and seemed to automatically be drawn to the side snowbanks. Others laid flat back on the sled and hardly moved at all in a competitive luge-style. Me? I sat up, steered with my hands, and went so slow that everyone considered me a roadblock. Humph. Must be my sled.

After a few runs, everyone relaxed at Basecamp. Some stretched out on their sleds with their sunscreened faces turned toward the sun; others took another trip to the top; and random weekend warriors out for the day came over and enjoyed some of our extra food and beverages. Some of the more zealous folks hiked to the top, sledded over to the Warren side, and then came back again. No doubt, sledding the Gap is definitely a fun way to get in a solid day of exercise.

The beach at base camp. (Cassie Willner photo)

On my last run, when my sled dumped me off the side of the road for no apparent reason other than it went all “Herbie the Love Bug” and had a mind of its own, I ended up contemplating how I could get to the front of the pack. I might have to pony up for one of the Hammerhead Sleds to get taken seriously.

Next year, watch out, people. It’s never too late or too early to start thinking about how to get your sled on. And, my sled WILL be faster!

Related posts:

1. How To: Sledding Safety
2. Steerable Sleds for 2012: Still All Fun, Still No Learning Curve
3. How To: Winterfest, A Place To Learn Winter Fun