this is the third time we've built an excellent base for skiing this season. unfortunately the first two completely disappeared in the record setting warm winter. thank goddess that it might be staying for a while. i'm just excited that it definitely be here for the coming storm.
because i have been outside playing everyday, i will again caution you, that my feelings and memories about the days, may or may not all that accurate, or supported by any photos. it doesn't help that wednesday, i got whatever pam has and have been blowing my nose about as often as one can without it falling off.
the days, the adventures, & the memories:
thursday, february 19th two weeks ago soy, han, and deckard were up and on his last full day, he joined us for a hike up and over town hill, down to the marsh. it was somewhere in the 20s, cloudy, with no wind in the woods--still a week ahead of the 'big~ger' snows. while we were enjoying tea and "chocolate almond chip chunks of energy", an otter loped over the ice out about 100 yards. we saw it go across, back, across, back, and across again. soy tried for video, but you will have to settle for a picture and a zoomed in copy.
thursday, the 23rd four nights later, those 'big~ger' snows started falling and skip joined me early to go up town hill. in the 20s again, cloudy (no surprise this winter), no wind in the woods, with maybe 6" of soft & fluffy, new snow. the only problem was there was practically nothing underneath to cover the rocks. but it was fun enough to take one run out our dooryard and then head over to the shaker wildlife management area for a couple more runs.
friday, the 24th thurs night had cleared and the temperature had dropped into the single numbers, but the sun was shining bright! it was a early~ish start, with the temps creeping up into the teens, no wind in the woods, and a glorious 6-8+" of 'freshies'! dick drummond joined skip, simon, and me and we took two runs, one taking the original ending, the other our new alternative. they were both super spectacular, but when you are having that much fun, and skiing with dick and simon--they are fast--you don't take many action pictures. i got one of us skinning up with the quickies way up front.
we were all trying to get 'home' before 11:00a for other appointments. mine was to welcome the christensens coming for the weekend--and sledding! we got in a couple of hours 'packing' the trail down with their big tubes, going a little further each run. it was still cold~ish which might have sent us in a tad early to make pizza! on their last trip here, feb. 2020, sledding, pizza, and taking pictures, were the big draws. it was no different this time--everybody was smiling.
saturday, the 21st a clear cold night gave way to a not so clear and cold morning. just right for pancakes. it was still below zero when dave and i headed off to hike cardigan. he wanted to get above treeline and feel like he was in the mountains. in the woods it was eerily still, with a couple inches of fresh snow. the trail was packed enough to leave the snowshoes in the truck and the creepers in our packs. we did take up sledding devices though for the descent.
at the top, behind the tower base to block the 5-10mph wind, we took tea, snacks, and some pictures. we also got one of sledding on the way down.
when we got home we had peanut butter stew for lunch and went back out to sled. it got a little wild with the track speeding up, making the runs longer. charlotte took a movie tubing with her father.
sunday, the 22nd more pancakes, more cold, and more sledding before departure. the girls also did a 'that was then, this is now' picture of them on the swing. the old one was taken back in july 2016--they are indeed growing up.
since it had been snowing all morning, after the gang left, i geared up for a town hill ski. it was just right though, i did hit a few rocks under the fluff. as i was out rock hopping, sadie had ethan out making snow angels. he looked pretty happy.
monday, the 23rd cold~ish, a tiny bit of fresh snow, but clearing and mostly sunny. i took a quick run up town hill when i got home. it was fast and fun! the word on the street was maybe 6" of snow overnight--likely remote school on tuesday.
tuesday, the 24th not quite 6", but plenty to ski on, even though the base in the woods was still relatively thin. not cold, actually getting warmer, no wind to speak of, and no surprise, cloudy. i went over to the swma to ski with dick and brendan. i went up ahead as they finished up a couple of bike jobs. as i was coming back from exploring at the top of the glades, 1st left, i heard a yell. that run led to another up and down 'the little sherbie', 2nd left. a last up and down the steep~er bottom half of 3rd left. dick snapped a photo at the top of 2nd left.
thursday, the 26th tobias, our wednesday overnight guest, took off early in falling snow. i was scheduled to follow him up to newbury, vt but being sick and with all that snow, i decided to stay home, shovel some and head up and over town hill. it was right around 30° and the 3-4" of new snow was sticky wet. i had to stop at one point and put wax on the bottom of my skis to stop clumping. it was a great way to end a day of feeling lousy. i stopped to take a couple of pictures at the porky trail. and again when i practiced skiing through a couple of trees.
friday, the 27th it dawned sunny and not too cold, somewhere in the 20s and getting warmer. just a dusting of snow from the night, getting blown around by an increasing wind. pam and i went out on snowshoes to stomp down her trail. yesterday's wet snow was crunchy in the shade, but soft and quiet in the sun--perfect for a loop through the woods and around the field.
notes:- dry, fluffy snow = fast skiing, but rocks are being hit
- wet, dense snow = slow skiing, but it's building a good base
- playing outside with the christensens made everyone smile - including this 'owl' in a hollow tree
- tea and snacks are still good
- 8-14" inches of snow in the forecast is great - on the ground, even better
go outside and play!
