As the days shorten and the weather cools, I will continue to paddle and hike.     Kayaking continues until the temperatures drop to freezing, but we will avoid cold and windy days too.   Windy days, cold days, and marginal weather days are always hiking days, but the locations may be closer to town and the hikes may be shorter.   When the weather is good on a Monday or a Friday, a regional destination may be chosen, with more traveling time required.   Preferences for these destination hikes include new-to-me hikes, new routes from previous locations, or return hikes which haven’t been done for a while.

Determining what will work out is dependent on conditions.    We can designate a day for a destination hike and it will be a “go”, unless rain is forecast.    In that case, it may be rescheduled.    For paddling and local hikes, it is better to wait for closer-to-the-date forecasts, starting 48 hours out.

Explorations are a favorite choice, but it is harder to go with others because it may work out, it may not, it may but have some bushwhacking, and it may or may not be interesting.     Most explorations are a solo venture.     There are always a list of potential routes waiting for the right date and time.

I have a schedule of upcoming outings, mostly Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and it is updated regularly.    It can be found on the companion website – Ramble On.  Friends may choose to contact me to join in on any of the days listed.    Information is posted on the listed events.    No effort is made to invite others, but I am open to company on some of the hikes, explorations, or paddling outings.

When the snows fall, I will have stored the kayak for the winter.    Microspikes will be carried or worn as I hike through the hills.     When winter settles in, the snowshoes will be active each week.

An unprioritized list of outings are in mind for this fall:

• Harmon and Kane Lakes (kayaking)
• Johnson Lake (kayaking)
• Kane Valley Trails
• Zoa Peak
• Jag Hill
• Opax Mountain
• Red Lake
• A new exploration – Tom Campbell and Black Lake loop
• Sugarloaf Hill
• White Lake
• Blind Bay Ridge
• Tod Lake
• Savona Mountain
• Watching Creek ✔
• and more…