Jim and I snowshoed up Sugarloaf (in Dixfield) on Saturday morning. Not one soul has been up there all winter, so the going was slow and deep. Luna struggled since it was so deep -- but we all made it. It was chilly and clear up top and thankfully Jim took all the pics.
From there we drove to Kingfield via the backroads -- it was a beautiful hour long ride. Met at Longfellow's and after one "warm-up whiskey" we braved the cold of Gilmore Hill. Jordan Lumber was sponsoring a sledding party and the sleds were out in grand style. The fire raged, the trucks lined the side of the road and people mistook Barry, Al, Jim and I for one of the many kids. From the moment we arrived until the moment we decided to head home for supper -- we sledded. Jordans had groomed the hill and it was fast. We raced, smashed into one another, launched off the jump (some more whole-heartedly than others), flew, doubled-up, aimed for people while flying down the hill on our back in a saucer... It was so much fun. It was probably about 5 below zero but with the running up the hill and laughing all the way down, we were warm enough. (The Dr. in the snowbank might have helped.) What an excellent way to spend a Saturday night.
Back to Al and Barry's for dinner, drinks, games and eventually sleep -- up Sunday morning for pancakes with wild Maine blueberries and local syrup -- and off to hike Little Bigelow. Again, it was cold, only about 15 degrees, but not near as cold as we thought it would be. The trail was broken really well all the way up to the lean-to and the tent platforms and then less so from there on (another 1.6 miles). The hike was glorious -- the sun was out and the light was amazing. There was not a ton of blue sky, but where there was blue, it was the lightest, softest, aqua blue ever. Mix that with tons of white, pristine snow and the evergreen dark green of the spruce trees and it was idyllic. Absolutely beautiful. The company was excellent and Luna did amazingly well. Killer day.
What an excellent day with you two girls -- you two kick ASS! Love strong smart women who appreciate and need time outdoors. So happy to have this time in the woods with both of you! From the snowshoe a drive back to Al and Barry's, then home, a quick stop and then off the the second home to feed the girls. I love taking care of them. Love waiting for the buckets to fill as my breath steams in the air and they munch on their grain. Love warming up as I haul the water and the hay -- love the stars twinkling in the sky over head. What a night. I am supremely and utterly contented. Happy sigh. I will sleep well tonight and relish the fact that Jim and I already have plans to ski Saddleback on Mainer day next Sunday and that the following weekend is Barry's birthday and Alison and I are toying with the idea of getting up hella early and packing the 6.5 miles to the summit of 4,000'+ Saddleback and skiing down the ski hill side (on our back-country Nordic stuff) and then meeting Jim and Barry at the base lodge with our "real" Alpine gear and then skiing the rest of the day. It is Barry's bday, so we will have to see how it all turns out -- but it sounds pretty freakin' sweet so far. The more time outside the happier I am. What an awesome weekend.
such tranquility - just love this amazing profile shot of dear Taco and all your (and Jim's) beautiful and funny pics. Appreciating so much the outdoors/nature and too old to embrace it the way you "younguns" do, I am thrilled to take in the beauty through your words and pictures. Thank you for this treat. Had not checked e-mail in so long and was shocked that you were sickness lasted for days with such intensity. Mama loves you.
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