Snowshoeing...AGAIN!

Since yesterday was just a trial run for a much bigger hike today I'm posting two snowshoe entries in a weekend. Can you tell I'm excited that I got to snowshoe finally!?!

This hike might be our February hike as per our New Years Resolution. But we are hoping to get out the last weekend of the month.

As part of the Scotsburn Winter Carnival we signed up for a guided 8km snowshoe from Millsville to Scotsburn. It wasn't a loop but rather hiking in and out half of the group drove everyone to the trail head in Millsville and at the end were driven back to their cars - it worked out pretty well. Oh and one of the women who drove us to the trail head was 70 years old - for real. She kicked out butt and finished the hike before us and she was talking about an 18 hour hike she did before. That's not a length I have even thought about measuring hikes in. I was very impressed.

Walk, walk, walk ... wind turbine!

A closer view

We were on part of the Cape to Cape trail, I think we'll have to try out more of the trail system.

The Cape to Cape logo it pretty awesome

One of the trails we took

Hiking in a row...

leads to a nice and packed trail

Photo op!

A short stop at the top, you might be able to spot the smoke
from the Pictou Pulp Mill

Close to the end, crossing the bridge I snapped a
photo of yesterday!

Showshoeing!

Well done Pictou County - you kept snow long enough for Greg and I to break in our new snowshoes!!

Yesterday we headed to Scotsburn's Fitzpatrick Mountain and went for a little walk.

We hit up Reindeer Road first

And took a left turn at Maddy's Madness

But of course took a break for a photoshoot water

We were hoping to find a looping trail so we didn't have to hike in and out the same route. But we couldn't - it didn't help that we were without a map and there were no signs on the trails (lesson learned!) So we turned around, hiked out and by the time we got (almost) to the trail head the mood was out.

Afterwards we stopped by the Scotsburn Fire Hall where the 4H Club was having a baked bean dinner fundraiser (Pictou County has most definitely won me over with its small town charm!!)

The event ran until 6:30, but by the time we got there at 6PM there were hardly any beans left and people were clearing up. Thankfully the people of Scotsburn are lovely and they set us up with a place and the full meal: beans, giant hunk of bread, coffee and apple crisp. Oh, and did I say it was all for $5?

Check out Greg and I, we apparently were not keen on making eye contact with the camera:

Really! Check out the loaves of bread we got!

"Centre pieces", hooray for the dollarstore!

We are heading back out to Fitzpatrick Mountain today for a 8km guided snowshoe - of course I'll be sure to let you know how that goes.

Off To A Hearty Start

I've been wanting to try one of Michael Smith's breakfast recipes ever since I first thumbed through the pages. The recipe is for Apple Pie Pancakes , Greg made them this morning and they were (are we both assumed they would be) AMAZING! Definitely the thickest pancakes I've ever had:

If you're interested in learning more about Chef Michael Smith's perspective on cooking check out this article.

Later on today Greg and I are going to bust out our new snow shoes and I think this breakfast choice will prove helpful.

First Day of School (again!)

Today was my first day of a long-term subbing position, I'll be working until the end of the school year. Needless to say I'm pretty pumped about getting a job in my field!

One of the nerdy teacher things I was excited about, my red book!!! I had to explain it to Greg, but I'm sure teacher friends you understand the need for excitement:

I have a lazy eye, out of excitement

At the end of my wonderful first day I was greeted with a homemade certificate for my awesomness  (literally, it's referenced on the certificate many times) and bubbly beverage from Greg. Oh, and he's also making dinner - amazing!

Now I have a weekend of unit/lesson planning ahead of me - weeeeeeee!

Snow Birds

Ones who actually stick around for the snow. Wednesday was a snow day and while I sat at the kitchen table doing work out deck had many feathered visitors.

My first attempt was less awesome, I had the wrong balance on and it ended up more blue than I'd like, but these were 3 of about 10 that were hanging out on the deck. I was too slow to get all of them.

Now I really want to get a feed to lure birds so I can take better pictures - it's a win-win really! I get better pictures/more opportunities to take pictures and birds get food - hooray!