A polar vortex ski outing

A polar vortex is causing extreme cold in the Gaspe Peninsula (and much of the northeastern U.S. and Canada) today, January 19. The high in Le Bic was -9 F with a low of -12 F. Like many, I spent most of the day inside. I did get out for a half-hour or so of skiing in the afternoon, which in this case meant putting on the back country skis and venturing out along our quiet snow covered street. Usually, we ski in nearby Bic National Park but knowing it was going to be a short outing, skiing out the front door and down our quiet street was appealing. The temperature was -11 F; fortunately, the wind had died to nearly nothing. Dressed in layers, and actively moving, I was quite comfortable. Only my exposed skin (face) got cold, and a bit numb. My dog Woody joined me at the end. After about a half-hour of skiing, Woody and I returned to a warm, cozy house.  Here are a few photos.

Starting down the road with our house in the background

Happy to be on skis

Approaching a row of quaking aspens along the snow-covered road.

One of several barns on our street

Looking rather wintery...

Snow covered fields to the south of the road

Woody embracing the cold. 

He's way more energetic in the snow than in the heat of summer.

Warming up by the wood stove post ski outing

Heating up water on the wood stove

The wood burning stove is the primary heat source  in our house.

We've got ample wood to fuel the wood stove 24/7.

With more extreme cold weather in the forecast, we  packed in a high calorie dinner at a local diner.

Woody lying low