Some winter days a thick layer of fog follows the river up to the mountains. It usually evaporates to reveal snow capped peaks and bluebird skies. Tuesday was like that. The dogs and I enjoyed our icy walk in the sun while trees emerged from the fog and slowly Goat Peak was revealed.
Sam and Kelly, the old dogs, trundling along
Luna is up to something
Flying?
Skiing isn’t just about gliding effortlessly through the woods on groomed trails. It takes some work to get to that point. In order to get to that effortless state, I really need to be in better shape. Around here, there are lots of top notch athletes who do make it look easy. One thing I can do to make skiing easier is to wax my skis once in a while, maybe once a week if I’m not overrun with other stuff to do. Last year I began waxing my own skis in order to save ten bucks each time I took them to town to be professionally done. I may not be as good as they are but I am getting better. A small greenhouse attached to our shed is a great place to wax skis on a sunny day.
First the wax is ironed on to the base
Pink wax for the forecast temperatures. That black stuff comes from the base of my ski. Sadly, the bottom is not perfectly flat.
That’s a pretty finished surface
One of my volunteer ‘jobs’ is to be an ambassador for the Methow Valley Sports Trails Association (MVSTA). Today I was at Town Trailhead in Winthrop. It’s always interesting to visit with the skiers and give them a hand as needed and find out where they are from. During the holiday season, it is especially busy.
Last night we had a nice snowfall but then rain fell on top of it. The groomers did a pretty good job, turning the new snow into the famed corduroy surface that everyone loves to ski on. The sun came out and it was nearly like spring skiing! Too early. More snow is in the forecast this week.
There were lots of Bald Eagles and Pygmy Nuthatches for avian entertainment, two birds on opposite ends of the size spectrum.
But first, before I left the house, there was a valley-spanning rainbow (snowbow?)
The parking lot was a little bit sloppy
Early skate tracks in the corduroy
And the classic tracks ready for skiers
Skiers of all ages in their colorful outfits
And the new pedestrian bridge so you can ski to downtown, the rental shops, the pub, the art gallery and various other establishments
For people living in the northern latitudes, the Winter Solstice is a significant event. It marks the end of the shortening days and looking forward to longer days coming. We celebrated with a campfire and fireworks here and from our friends across the valley. The darkest night sky was illuminated with countless stars. There was a little music, a bit of tequila and whiskey with icicles for Ken.
Inside, light reflected off of our Christmas tree, casting twinkles and sparkles and stars around the room.
My Everyday Photos 