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Tag Archives: Winthrop

Another Day at the Town Trailhead

Seems like there are always interesting things to see around here.

 

Mojo’s person was playing hockey. Mojo thought everyone else who came by wanted to throw his slobbery pine cone.

 

One of the hockey players gets ready to go home. His bike tires have screws for studs.

 

Mojo was disappointed every time someone skied away from him.

 

The shuttle took lots of folks up to Mazama to ski the 30k back to town.

 

Mojo thinks that by the force of his will, he can make me pick up the icky pine cone and throw it for him.

 

 Ken and Luna wanted their picture made in the sign. Well, Ken wanted it – not so sure that Luna did.

 

Methow Valley Pursuit

This weekend MVSTA is hosting the Methow Valley Pursuit – two days of Nordic ski races. Today is a skate race with skiers going the 30k from Mazama to Winthrop. It is a slow course today with lots of new snow and more falling during the race. Yesterday was the classic race that began and ended at Winthrop’s Town Trailhead. During the race I helped with traffic control where the trail crosses Twin Lakes Road. In between cars, I made a few images.

 

 

Nicely groomed trails ready for racers and other skiers

 

This fellow biked up from town

 

He just wanted to go skiing. The course was open to any skiers – we just asked that they watch out for the racers

 

And off he goes

 

Lots of really excellent racers in this field

 

 

 

Great fashions

 

All ages

 

And always – having fun!

 

 

 

Scenes from the Town Trailhead

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

At the Ice Rink

Finally, I am well enough to get outside and DO something! What a relief. Today I went skating for the first time this winter. Let it be known that I am a total beginner skater. I did skate the last two winters but still, not enough to feel competant on the ice.

Today was a stellar day in the Methow and our outdoor rink is situated near the river with a perfect view of Mt Gardner. Bald Eagles perch on nearby cottonwoods and complain in their funny voices whenever a raven gets too close. I arrived just as the ice opened right after lunch and lucky me – I had the whole place to myself! Soon two other women arrived, both friends – one is my neighbor and the other teaches skating. I managed to not fall and remembered most of what I could do last winter.

 

All that untouched ice

 

Mt Gardner, just beyond Spring Creek Ranch

 

Passersby

 

My tracks!

 

I always wanted to be tall

 

 

 

 

Fireworks at the End of the Road

Winthrop celebrates the holiday season with a weekend of Christmas at the End of the Road. Fun activities with horse drawn wagon rides, Santa Claus, a 5k fun run in the snow all culminate with Saturday night fireworks. The beauty of winter fireworks far outweighs the summer versions, I think. Gently falling snow. No fire danger. And the event starts early enough that you can join friends for dinner afterwards!

These images are all from my little pocket camera. Sometimes I am amazed at what a good job it can do.