Winter backpacking the Ice Age Trail

Spent the weekend backpacking part of the Ice Age Trail at Kettle Moraine State Forest in southern Wisconsin. Kettle Moraine is a fairly narrow strip of forested land broken up into two major sections: the northern unit and the southern unit. We visited the northern unit, starting at shelter site #1 near the village of Kewaskum and heading north on an out-and-back route.

Snow depth on the trail was roughly 5-6 inches. Night time temperature dropped to a balmy -11°F. Brr.

Cameo in Mike Curiak's 2010 IditaTour Videos

While participating in the Iditarod Trail Invitational last year I had the great pleasure to meet Mike Curiak. At the time Mike was completing his personal, unsupported 1100 mile journey on the trail to Nome. Today I came across a series of videos he produced documenting his journey. Absolutely worth viewing.

We ran into Mike while attempting to cross Rainy Pass. It was a grueling day - especially harrowing for a rookie racer. Deep snow, unrelenting wind and vanishing trail in an inhospitable nowhere. Just the sight of another person was a relief to me. The fact that it turned out to be Mike Curiak was incredible fortune.

All I can say is that I have the highest respect for Mike. I felt like a foolish, fumbling adventure tourist out there next to him. He traveled that day with calm, controlled and perfect presence - and the utmost humility. Thanks Mike, if you read this.

Here's part one. Click here to watch it on Mike's blog - it's bigger and better. Don't forget to look for the handsome guy in the blizzard in part one at minute 5:47. ;)


IditaTour: Part one. from lacemine29 on Vimeo.

Pacino in The Merchant of Venice, NYC

In New York this past weekend. Went to see Al Pacino as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice at the Broadhurst Theatre. Great performance. Felt a little bad for the vengeful Shylock though. Hounded for mercy throughout the second half, in the end none was really shown to him. Dinner at Marseille.