[Paddlewise] cold paddling

This is for Bob Denton and all those others in the South who don't know
what they are missing here in the North.

I just got back from my last paddle of 1998.  We started on the ice and
did a seal entry (I only got one hand wet).  Since the water is right at
freezing temperature and the air is -22 C (-8F), a thick layer of steam
is in the air, much like fog.  Many of the trees and almost all of the
bushes on the shoreline are coated with a thick layer of hoar frost
(sparkly white chrystals) making everything into a white fantasy land. 
As we paddled up river just outside the ice line, the waves from the
kayaks caused the ice to make a high pitched tone, almost like singing. 
The sun was coming through the mist brightly enough that my companion,
who was only about 10 metres away made a grey silhouette, sometimes
fading from sight then reappearing like a ghost.  By the time that we
got back my beard was also thickly coated with frost and there was a
layer of ice on my paddle, outside the drip rings, about a quarter inch
thick.  To get out we had to get up lots of speed then lean back just as
we hit the ice.  The kayak would run part way up onto the ice, then
break down through.  Two or three runs at it and we could glide right up
onto solid ice near my boathouse.  Then it just took a few paddle pushes
to move to thicker ice where we could step out.  It was one of the most
beautiful paddling settings that I could imagine, and not a personal
water craft in sight.  The only thing missing was that I could have used
some of those cheap imitation ballast rocks to break the ice.  I
wouldn't want to risk losing some of my good Canadian Ballast Rocks (TM)
by having them break through and sink.

I do have to admit though, that I am envious of you folks in the warmth,
being able to paddle in T-shirts and shorts.  We only have 5-6 months to
wait and we'll be able to do that too.

Happy New Year to all, especially Jackie for providing us with this
great list.
John
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