I haven't been out to the trails for some exercise for weeks.  Laryngitis and a some sort of respiratory bug put me down for the count since the end of January.  The little bit of practice with the kicksled on the driveway would end in a coughing fit.  I was determined to try the sled on a trail today to see what would happen.

I left home at 10am.  The bright blue sky was cloudless.  It was a beautiful day.  I had decided to try out the kicksled on the Beaver Pond trail at Elk Island National Park. I picked that one because it is the flattest of those I visit the most.

I pulled into the parking lot as the lone vehicle there was leaving.  I was glad for that as it meant no witnesses to my first sled run.

The trail was icy but I had some small cleats with me.  I didn't think I needed the heavy duty ones but I was wrong.  The small cleats provided enough grip to get me up the hills but they sure did not slow me on the way down the hills.  This meant there were a few wipe outs and a little bit of road rash.

What fun it was trying to figure out how to use the sled.  It was great having the seat to use when I stopped for my snack break.  As I sat for a few minutes, I could hear the wind rustling the dry leaves on the branches.  The evergreen boughs moved back and forth filling the forest with a wonderful scent.

The chickadees, bluejays, crows and woodpeckers added their verses to the whistling wind's song.  It was a glorious day on the trail.  I was tempted to go around the loop one more time but opted for a bonfire at home instead.

I've used the new firepit only once last fall.  The warm temperatures melted all the snow off

the cover so I was able to get at it and at the wood supply with ease.  I enjoyed tending the fire from my lawn chair.  

As I watched the flames and listened to the chickadees, the deer showed up.   Two of them bounded into the yard and were half way to the grain dish when they realized that I was close by.  One turned around and went back to the trees.  One decided to chance it.  It was entertaining to watch the others as they peeked through the tree branches to see if I was going to move.

The birds were busy at the feeders.  The grosbeaks are gone as are the redpolls.  The feeders are now visited by the year round feathered friends; chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers.

At the end of the day, I didn't feel too bad.  I must finally be on the mend.  I hope that I can take the sled out a couple more times before all the snow is gone.  The next time I hit the trail, I'll wait to go out in the afternoon after the snow has softened up.  That should make it easier to steer and cut down on the road rash.