Laura and I have this Easter tradition. It doesn't involve eggs, or funny hats, or a big ham on the table. It's about renewal. Its taking the time to go out into one of our favorite destinations, the outdoors. Spring is beginning, and the plants and animals are responding. Its a time of beginnings. So we take the chance to find a new place to explore, a new place to hike. We feel that new sense of wonderment, as we witness nature's rebirth.
I grow a full beard in the winter, and shave it all off in the sping. Here's what happens in between.
Migration Sensation is an event held in Shreve, Ohio during the end of March to celebrate and educate the return of many migrating birds. Sandy and Dick have been inviting me for a few years to come, and it never worked out. I was very happy that this year it did! We got up early (for some) and went to the Shreve Elementary School to register and collect a map to the various locations for birding in the area. We started at Wright Marsh, a complex of man made berms that create wetland areas for various bird species. We saw a wide variety of red winged blackbirds, sparrows, and a few geese. After that, we went to Shreve Lake and were very excited to see a Common Loon. Well, this isn't so "common" in Ohio, and it one of the first I've seen outside of the Adirondacks. We then moved on to see the Eagles. This is always a treat to see, and very exciting to see them on the nest. We also got a great view of a Belted Kingfisher. We then headed back into Shreve for a great lunch at Des Essenhaus. After lunch we went back to the elementary school and checked out the vendors area, and watched two great lectures on Ohio's Woodpeckers, and on the Barn Owl. 
I was very amazed all day long to see a large Amish population into birding. These young boys would walk by me with thousand dollar scopes and tripods! It was very cool to see. We also visited with a old member of the Laura's band down in the swamp, as she led children in scooping for aquatic life. Then we picked up Brian, and headed back out to see the Eagles, and its a good thing we did. We not only got to see the two eagles we had seen in the morning, but also saw an immature eagle circling about as well. The whole day was a treat, and though I didn't add any birds to my life list, it was a very educational day, and we got to see some very special birds! I recommend this event, and hope I can make it again next year. Remember to bundle up though!
What a fun visit to see all our old friends in Ann Arbor. Laura and I lived in Ann Arbor for five years or so, and we made the greatest friends. Luckily, many are still there so we can see so many with a quick weekend visit. 
It was an ice fishing day on Braddock Bay! Brian, Tony, and I arrived at 7:30, when Dom told us to get there. Dom arrived at 8:30. He said he had to get some coffee. Well, we got started anyway, except Dom had the bait. This is a normal morning of ice fishing for us. Well, got a few hits on the tip ups early in the day, but as the day wore on, we had very few flags. That is with fish on the end of them. 
The wind was constant, with gusts in the 25 mph range, it kept setting off alot of flags. The sun was bright, and the skies were clear, but the wind was biting. The bay was filled with other guys, most who bugged out a little after noon, probably due to the light bite and the hard wind. We stuck it out until five. All in all we kept the fish pictured, not winning any trophies here. However, the day was a ton of fun giving Brian and Tony their first taste of ice fishing, and joking around as only good friends do.
We had a great time outdoors finding boxes. It was about 10 degrees above zero, so our hikes were short, sometimes only long enough for someone to jump out of the car, go get the box, and jump back into the car for everyone to stamp into. We strategically found boxes that would help us on the Bingo game, and it paid off. Joystar won the Bingo game, and we shared the gas gift cards with Wyvern and LOSTGIRL since we all got the four rows of letterboxes together. We also got Lock&Lock containers for getting two rows done. 
After the gathering we headed to Syracuse to the hotel. You know, after a day of finding small boxes in the woods, you would think we could find our hotel. But good old mapquest gave us directions down a dead end street. Oh yeah, there is the hotel, but its on the otherside of I-90! We settled in though and had fun chatting and watchng Olympics. It was a great day of letterboxing, and I feel very inspired now to carve more stamps, and get more boxes hidden.
Well, winter was a bust in Rochester this year. Too warm, and not enough ice. I was itching to go ice fishing all winter, but the weather wasn't cooperating. Then Dom invited me down to Big Al's cottage on Lake Underwood in northeastern Pennsylvania. Dom told me that this private lake never failed to produce, in fact he gave me the "G" that we would catch fish. Well I couldn't pass up that chance!
First, I should thank Big Al for hosting us, and the Silver Bear for feeding us. The accomodations were rustic, but it couldn't have been better: woodstove in the middle of the first floor, comfy sofa to sleep on, extra helpings of food. Deer mounts on the wall, and pictures of the trophy fish from the lake decorated the walls. It is exactly the kind of place I can see owning some day. Part summer cottage, part hunting camp. It was perfect. I was sore from laughing at Big Al's constant banter, and diligence in keeping us happy and warm.
