The One and Only

Being a realist, I believe this will be my one and only nordic ski this year.

It was fantastic - once I got there. I couldn't find my skis this morning, simple because I am ski blind. Couldn't find my car keys AND we had ants this morning. The sprayer wouldn't work - I suspect it's frozen somewhat. It took me 20 minutes to change the baskets on my trekking poles with the help of my son. It was chaos and bad omens.

Still, I managed to get up there. And I was first - yay! Once the people start walking on the snow, especially with such a small amount, I don't have a chance in hell to ski it. Teyla and I broke snow today and it was awesome. Yeah I hit a few spots of dirt - but hopefully nothing too damaging. The worst part is the jerk it gives you. The skis are gliding so well and there's this rhythm you develop with the poles, skis, and movement of your body. When the ski hits dirt, the dance is interrupted. Everything continues in its beautiful inertia except the ski and your foot. Hence, the jerk, sometimes followed by the fall.

The trail I took today is a utility road used by the ski area. It spurs off the blue ridge truck trail and proceeds to the middle of Mountain High West. I stopped short of the ski area. Oh the lucky souls frolicking in fresh powder! I debated on taking Teyla. She hasn't been minding off leash, but I gave in. She wore herself out in the first mile and a quarter and dutifully followed my ski tracks the entire way back. Personally I think she was too tired to break snow anymore.

And once again, there is some conflict between my camera app and runkeeper app, so we get just a one way view of the trail -click here. (I suggest viewing it in topo or hybrid mode - looks cooler).

View of Mountain High West - near the end of the line

My ski tracks

Blue Ridge Truck trail - Mt. San Antonio in the background

Inspiration Point - trailhead

Mt. Baden Powell (as seen from the point)

"Down the hill" - locals will get the reference.

All Nighter

It's a harsh reality - getting older.

There's these cool things like watching your kids go out on their own and doing positive things. I am not fond of watching my parents get older, or my grandparents becoming frail. My body likes to boss me around too, which I find annoying. It's not in control, yet, and I don't plan let it get the best of me. Still, I find I have to work within some limits, only rebelling occasionally.

Wednesday night I am rebelling.

We are taking Thursday off so we (my fiance and I) can go to Disneyland Wednesday afternoon. All Night baby. I guess it's a Disney freebie for the leap year. Check the calendar here!

The fiance put it in my Google calendar as "all nighter". Can I do it? Even in Vegas I am usually sleeping by 3 am - maybe 4 am at the latest. Can I make it to 6 am?? And then drive home? Or better yet, leave for four hours and come back at 10 am on Thursday!!

I plan to go on some rides and see some attractions I don't normally have time to indulge in. That's right, Peter Pan, you better be open. All the little kiddies *should* be gone. "You can glow, you can glow!" Ever write on your arm with highlighter then go on Peter Pan? YES YES!! I like sitting on the caboose on the Casey Jr Train. "I think I can, I think I can". So what I actually know all the words to "Yo-Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me" and "Grim Grinning Ghosts". I am going to sit on a horsey on the Carousel and complain about the seat belt. And I might even yell Pineapple from across the park on my way to a delicious Dole Whip. I am going to sit backwards on Big Thunder. I am going to sing Happy Unbirthday to myself, and I might even go torture myself with Snow White's Wishing Well. I will find my Laughing Place (but with a poncho - sorry I don't want to freeze to death). Hell I might even go on the Astro Orbiter - which used to be SOOO much cooler when it was on top of the People Mover. (Totally lame move, Imagineers - just so you know). Yeah, I am gonna kick someone's ass on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. That's only because my sons aren't there to kick my ass (although I beat them both on Midway Mania!). Autopia - here I come! Don't bump the car ahead of you. Does anyone actually NOT bump the car ahead of them? I miss the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse. I think I have only been up the tree once since Tarzan and Jane took over. Although one year they did have this luscious looking guy posing as Tarzan situated in that general area (I know my BFF remembers that one!)

All nighter here I come!

Big Sheep Mine

This one's been eluding me for a while - I would go the allotted distance and still not see a mine... went a little further to this fence and still no mine
About a week ago, I tried again on a hike that my son and I took on the Mine Gulch trail (which spurs off the wagon road). This led us to the mine cabin - it's really a double spur. We lost the trail after that (this is what happens when you leave the topo at home). Finally I looked it up online and found it was simply just past that stupid fence.

So yesterday the fiance and I hiked all the way to the mine. It was a WARM Saturday morning and there were lots of people there - too many to get too close. We had the two dogs and they had dogs, and the fools were exploring the mine. Something about condemned buildings - I was happy to view it from a distance.

Unfortunately my Runkeeper App keeps resetting when I use my camera. So, I was only able to record the way back - you get the gist of it.See it on Runkeeper, sorta

Not the mine wagon trail - this is via a spur off the Mine Gulch Trail (Trailhead also in Vincent Gap)

View of the mine

Teyla drinks from a Camelbak. Talented dog!

Looking East from the Mine

Blue Ridge, Part II

Blue Ridge just got easier.

One of my goals, simply put, "More hiking. Less stopping."

Today I did just that. My son was with me, and he's always way ahead of me during hikes. Sure, he was ahead of me, but I only stopped three times on this hike, which he said was much less than usual. Making progress on that goal. Now if I could just go uphill for two miles without a break, I'd be well on the way to Mt Borah.

Keeping up with him on the downhill is not easy, either. He has long legs. I am 5 foot tall. You figure it out.

The sky was clear and the sun shone strongly. Some parts of the trail were downright muddy. Disgustingly muddy. My boots are still outside, recovering. Other parts were snow covered and shaded. I like those parts. Some were icy, leading to a few slips, especially on the way down. I pity the person who tries this trail this weekend. Those snowy parts will be all icy parts by then. But, moving on. It was warm enough to leave the fleece in the pack, and at times I cursed the Smartwool long sleeve top I was wearing. Oh and that smell in the sun - the smell of sun-baked trees and mulching oak leaves and pine needles - so fragrant. But I really excelled in the cooler areas. As usual.

The campground was again deserted but more snow than last time. The sweat cooled and the sun was warming. Dogs had treats; humans had apples and granola bars. Both had water.

Hoping we can try the acorn trail next week. I feel ready.

See it on Runkeeper

Dogs & human enjoying the sun

Awww, look at the little one. She's weird.

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