wspokes
02-24-2004, 04:24 AM
Well, we talked of way to get this board kicked up a notch. Well, here is a bit of a ski report.
Went out yesterday, grabbed my Edsbyn XC skis, I hadn't used them since last year and thought I would take them out for the conditions. Conditions, mid 30s. slightly slushy on top but still rock frozen hard on the underneath. I headed up the trail from my home and crossed over some small ice bridges. These ice bridge over a small creek that I criss cross. During winter, I can ski directly on it and over it without noticing it. today was similar with some tiny areas of surfacing where I could see the gentle trickle through the holes. Up the trail I continued til brancing off left and down a gentle incline, so gentle it could almost be flat and unnoticable except for days like these where the trees still shelter the snow from melting under the sun's rays and the top remains a slick fast track. I follow in the tracks from so many days before, days upon days of skiing this season.
The season started with a bang, some small snowfalls in November allowed me an oppurtunity to ski once in November, then december hit with vengeance and a few good fronts brought white to blanket and cover everything. I was off and skiing, enjoying the beauty and skiing...just skiing without thought. Then came a thaw around Christmas, 40s, then 50s...before long it was all gone. So I biked but I missed the snow. january hit and there was nothing...Then in early January, massive amounts dumped upon my area again setting the pace of things to come, off again...every day after work, get home, change clothes and hit the trails. Weekends were made for daytrips from home to surrounding areas with state park trails and wonderful oppurtunities.
Then I got kicked in the shins from work, displaced, cut from the budget from my department ....call it what you will. It hurt. I had some days off until i got placed in a new assignment, new job, new hours, new life, new routine...everything uncertain, including the fact I have only 6 months to find a new permanent position or I am out. So I skiied and the skiing brought some great time alone, time away...hours of it. I skied through the tough days. and I loved it.
Back to the trail at hand, sidetracked...sorry. Down the slight incline that was so fast and slick, gently V the ski for a slight turn...past a creek that looks just so silent and peaceful. Up the other side and onto my trail loop. Except I looked again...like I looked during those troubled days. Something happened from those days til today. I got caught up in life again and worries and there are a few days I can't remember skiing at all even though I wrote down in my calendar, log book, activity diary...memories. I wrote that I skied but no details really other than time. I was seeing all the details again...loving it. The gentle breeze and the smell of pines. The squirrels scattering as I glistened along. On the lower portion of the trail I crossed several more ice bridges slowing to peer into the gaps of water. Looking at the rock formations around the trail and thinking of summer and how I climbed around those areas. now, all covered they look beautiful again in a different way. The green and mountain laurel all covered with white. Look ahead, I spot a huge lofting white motion. It is a Owl taking flight from the cover of a pine. I think, wow, in daylight...but then I notice...it is beginning to darken as evening closes in. The owl curves through the trees and I see only the shadow now as it quickly disappears into the think white pines.
Up to another favorite trail, trails I have given my own names...I go up hole-in-tree trail and come upon its namesake, standing stiffly with a hole in the bottom as some of the roots are exposed. I ski by and look back as I begin my ascent. breathing heavily as I quick step up in V style. Criss crossing the trail in front of me is endless little tracks. At the top, I pause to look at one of the tracks. Perfect tiny feet. small....never sinking into this snow even when it thaws I laugh as I think how lightweight they are and what it must feel like to glide along the top. As usual, I reach into my pocket and pull out a few ears of corn to toss under the pines where there tiny feet appear. Tomorrow...only tracks and a few empty cobs will be there. For I know my tiny friend will eat tonight!
Time to head homeward, down the trail picking up speed and coming through the trees as I come back upon the road and my home. No worries in mind today, only pleasant thoughts and enjoyment. I realize, this is what it is all about in life!! The times like these...the experiences like these. And once again, I remember, I work as a full time nurse to finance my full time outdoor pleasures. Because this is my career!
Went out yesterday, grabbed my Edsbyn XC skis, I hadn't used them since last year and thought I would take them out for the conditions. Conditions, mid 30s. slightly slushy on top but still rock frozen hard on the underneath. I headed up the trail from my home and crossed over some small ice bridges. These ice bridge over a small creek that I criss cross. During winter, I can ski directly on it and over it without noticing it. today was similar with some tiny areas of surfacing where I could see the gentle trickle through the holes. Up the trail I continued til brancing off left and down a gentle incline, so gentle it could almost be flat and unnoticable except for days like these where the trees still shelter the snow from melting under the sun's rays and the top remains a slick fast track. I follow in the tracks from so many days before, days upon days of skiing this season.
The season started with a bang, some small snowfalls in November allowed me an oppurtunity to ski once in November, then december hit with vengeance and a few good fronts brought white to blanket and cover everything. I was off and skiing, enjoying the beauty and skiing...just skiing without thought. Then came a thaw around Christmas, 40s, then 50s...before long it was all gone. So I biked but I missed the snow. january hit and there was nothing...Then in early January, massive amounts dumped upon my area again setting the pace of things to come, off again...every day after work, get home, change clothes and hit the trails. Weekends were made for daytrips from home to surrounding areas with state park trails and wonderful oppurtunities.
Then I got kicked in the shins from work, displaced, cut from the budget from my department ....call it what you will. It hurt. I had some days off until i got placed in a new assignment, new job, new hours, new life, new routine...everything uncertain, including the fact I have only 6 months to find a new permanent position or I am out. So I skiied and the skiing brought some great time alone, time away...hours of it. I skied through the tough days. and I loved it.
Back to the trail at hand, sidetracked...sorry. Down the slight incline that was so fast and slick, gently V the ski for a slight turn...past a creek that looks just so silent and peaceful. Up the other side and onto my trail loop. Except I looked again...like I looked during those troubled days. Something happened from those days til today. I got caught up in life again and worries and there are a few days I can't remember skiing at all even though I wrote down in my calendar, log book, activity diary...memories. I wrote that I skied but no details really other than time. I was seeing all the details again...loving it. The gentle breeze and the smell of pines. The squirrels scattering as I glistened along. On the lower portion of the trail I crossed several more ice bridges slowing to peer into the gaps of water. Looking at the rock formations around the trail and thinking of summer and how I climbed around those areas. now, all covered they look beautiful again in a different way. The green and mountain laurel all covered with white. Look ahead, I spot a huge lofting white motion. It is a Owl taking flight from the cover of a pine. I think, wow, in daylight...but then I notice...it is beginning to darken as evening closes in. The owl curves through the trees and I see only the shadow now as it quickly disappears into the think white pines.
Up to another favorite trail, trails I have given my own names...I go up hole-in-tree trail and come upon its namesake, standing stiffly with a hole in the bottom as some of the roots are exposed. I ski by and look back as I begin my ascent. breathing heavily as I quick step up in V style. Criss crossing the trail in front of me is endless little tracks. At the top, I pause to look at one of the tracks. Perfect tiny feet. small....never sinking into this snow even when it thaws I laugh as I think how lightweight they are and what it must feel like to glide along the top. As usual, I reach into my pocket and pull out a few ears of corn to toss under the pines where there tiny feet appear. Tomorrow...only tracks and a few empty cobs will be there. For I know my tiny friend will eat tonight!
Time to head homeward, down the trail picking up speed and coming through the trees as I come back upon the road and my home. No worries in mind today, only pleasant thoughts and enjoyment. I realize, this is what it is all about in life!! The times like these...the experiences like these. And once again, I remember, I work as a full time nurse to finance my full time outdoor pleasures. Because this is my career!