Winter Wonderland

I spent the last few weekends riding my bike and being cold. Inspiration struck when my brother Paul invited me to go cross country skiing. A remote corner of my brain sprang to life as if to say "Oh yes, now I remember! When it is cold outside and water is freezing in the air and on the ground the wise sportster will mount long slick boards to her feet with the purpose being to slip and slide rather than try to avoid it." I had hopes Sonia would join us but our departure time was a bit too early for her sleepy head. Paul, Anne, and I went south to the Mount Tahoma ski trails. What a fantastic alternative to the I-90 zoo! Robin and I have skiied there in years past and love it. Sadly they lost a bridge during the big rainstorm a couple of years ago so the south district is inaccessible and that is my favorite skiing. This was my first ski of the year (in fact, I hadn't skiied since New Year's Day 2007!) and it was great. We had entertainment in the form of a couple dozen jeepers trying to pull their jeeps on trailers behind trucks and getting stuck in the road. We imagined the conversation to go something like this:

Clem: Dang it Joe, I'm stuck.
Joe: Shucks Clem, whadarwegonnado?
Clem: Let's stand around outside the trucks a while and pick our teeth.
Joe: Good idear Clem!

Okay, so I have friends that are 4-wheelers - but admit it - it's not far off is it???

We crossed paths with Lou who is a volunteer there. Paul and I had met Lou during Tour BC last summer. His favorite jersey says "Cranky Old Bastard". Lou is a great crusty old guy. He road his bike from Yelm WA to the start of Tour BC in Penticton BC, Canada for the weeklong adventure and then road back home. Makes me feel pretty wimpy!

Great snow conditions, lunch with a view, redneck entertainment, super company - it was a grand day out. Thanks Paul and Anne!