Skiing with Abram

All geared up.

This was a mega ski I took with Abram in tow.  We headed toward White Cap mountain (from my parents) and just kept going up and up and up.  I got addicted to finding out where the up went down and got to a point where the snowmobile trail was so steep and so narrow, I had to take off my skis to make it up and over.  It eventually started to drop off the other side toward both Andover and Byron.  Pretty sweet.

Met Alison up in Kingfield/New Portland over breakation.  She has these trails that the owner maintains with a snowmobile and a drag but does not allow other snowmobiles.  The locals are welcome to ski or snowshoe, and their dogs are welcome too.  It was amazing to ski for about two hours - making a large loop - with views like this and then end with the Carrabassett River on our right.

That's the Longfellow Range: Abraham to the left (one of the Mt. Abrams Abram is named after), then Spaulding in the middle and Sugarloaf to the far right with the "backside" showing (the backside has some decent back-country skiing these days with the locals cutting glades, etc.)

On these amazing trails with Auntie Alison, her dogs and my dogs (and Abram in tow, of course).

More views from that ski - you can just see Sugarloaf poking his snowy head up from behind (on the left) -- and those are the Bigelows to the right.

Spaulding to the left - with old farm house.

Where I LIVE!!  That's Intervale to the left and Tumbledown Dick to the right - looking down at the farm.  That's Mineral Springs road on the left and the large hay field to the right.  Can't see the Maple Sugaring operation from this exact spot, but it's down there.

Home.  Grampa's log cabin and our addition.  The joy and contentment I feel as I ski up through this field on the tractor path is immeasurable.  I can't wait to have horses grazing here in the warmer months. 

Dogs - on the tractor path home.  So my sled for Abram (yes, he is behind me in this picture) will NOT track in deep snow.  I have to have a broken trail.  So after another beautiful snowstorm, Grampa helped me break the trail.  He fired up the 1967 Skidoo and took the first lap (he is 92!!), got it slightly stuck but was able to get it out on his own (as I jogged from the house down the trail - he had it out by the time I was halfway).  Then he had me make about four laps to really pack it down.  Now I have a good trail, and I know how to keep it up myself.  Ahhhh - loving life.

On a nice, long Sunday ski from the house - with a turkey roasting in the oven.  That is Speckled mountain to the left and Zircon to the right - looking out over one of the smaller hay fields to the large hay field.

Dixie - on trail.  The groomer had JUST gone by before our ski and I thought to myself that sometimes in the woods of Peru I feel like I have my own private resort with all the amenities and none of the people or charges.

Took Abram to the kids' MVC meet at Titcomb.  Because I thought the sled would be way too much to navigate, I opted to travel with him like this.  He seemed to really like it.  I loved hearing him catch his breath as we slipped down the downhills and I quietly thanked my parents for the umpteenth time for teaching me to ski at age three.  I am so happy and comfortable on skis.

My good friend Rachel was watching her boy ski (one of my students and Dirigo Outing Club members) and she thankfully had her camera.  It's rare that I get shots WITH Abram.  

I swear I didn't plan the sunglasses twinsies look!

Here is to a ski after work and many more with this amazing snow pack.  

Thanks old man winter - you have been so good to us this year.