Monday, January 11, 2016

I Love Skiing



Southern Idaho has suffered winter drought during the last 3 or 4 years, therefore, ski conditions have been less than desirable.  El Nino has increased our early winter snow pack this year are I am thrilled with the outstanding ski conditions this year.

My desire to ski is definitely strong this year.  As a matter of fact, I want to be on a ski hill every weekend if not more often.  My desire is so intense that I bought myself new boots for the first time in more than 10 years and rented skis for the season.  I have decided that I will never buy skis again because I think leasing for the season is a great alternative.  I do, however, have one problem, most of my friends are not as eager as I am.  Well, with the exception of Glenn.



Glenn is a childhood friend and he wants to go as often as I do.  He is a great companion.  Last weekend, we ventured to Soldier Mountain, a fairly local family ski resort.  We reminisced our childhoods because we each spent many days riding a bus to ski as many weekends as we could there.  It was great to ski runs that are so familiar that we could nearly ski blindfolded.  So much nostalgia, so much fun!

I not only skied there as a child, I taught my children to ski there, too.  It was great to see that Soldier has retained its family friendly policies and prices.  I really enjoyed watching toddlers to senior citizens enjoy their time on the mountain.

Glenn and I made a pact that we will still ski in our 70's because most ski resorts allow you to ski free at that age!  Apparently, there are a few benefits of aging!  

Monday, January 4, 2016

2016



I celebrated a three-day New Year's weekend in the mountain resort town, McCall, Idaho.  It is a charming little community on the shores of Payette Lake.  My dear friends built a cabin there and I am lucky enough to enjoy a few weekends a year there.

New Year's Eve was very low key.  We spent a nice quiet evening at home sipping limoncello and champagne, watching college bowl games and quietly ringing in the New Year.

January 1st, we snowshoed in the mountains.  There was an established trail for snowshoers and cross-country skiers but we preferred creating our own trail in the fresh powder.  The sky was brilliant blue and the snow was fluffy - a perfect day to exercise in the cold, fresh air and enjoy one another's company.



After trekking around the outdoors for several hours, we stopped for appetizers and beer at a favorite local diner/watering hole.  The perfect end to a great workout.

Saturday, I was eager to ski but could not rally anyone to join me.  My best friend, Leslie, is from Mississippi and she she to have lost her enthusiasm for skiing but she does love to snowshoe, so she, her daughter-in-law, Kristin and I snowshoed in the state park around the lake.  Our adventure was spent outdoors on another gorgeous, albeit, very cold (12 degrees) blue-sky day.



I had an amazing, relaxing weekend enjoying the mountains, the snow and most importantly, terrific friends.  A wonderful way to start the year.  I am so blessed.