Spring Ski N Snowshoe up Speckled

Oh the gift of friends who love getting after it in the outdoors.  My friend and colleague, Ann, and I (and Abram and the dogs) made a plan for a good sized day - everything seems bigger with baby in tow.  Really, it is a moderate day, but it felt big with all the stuff I had to have with me.  But she is just one of those people - no fuss, no fanfare - who just sees what I need and offers to help (I have a few of these women in my life, thankfully - who just get it and help me, often before I know I need it).

We skied in about 2 1/2 miles on Speckled Mountain Road (a logging road with a fairly steady incline) and then transitioned into snowshoeing and snowshoed up to the top of Speckled Mountain.  I was a freaking sight - picture it...  Abram in the ski-sled/Kinder Shuttle, with my winter boots, snowshoes and a few of his extra layers - with that belted around me - carrying the big backpack style pack that I carry him with - on my back, with a few of my layers, water, diapers, his lunch, my snacks, etc - also belted to me.  I also had both of my good-for-nothing dogs on leash to begin the hike - Ann said I was a sight.  We had to cross a shallow but fairly wide stream pretty near the beginning of the ski and I just boated Abram across while in the sled (it was a little unnerving when it started to float).  We put plastic bags over our feet; Ann carried my skis and poles.  Made it across no problem and made the ski in.  The snowshoe up was good - challenging with the weight of it all, but I was thankful for the compliment when Ann told me (once on the summit), "You climbed that mountain like you didn't have anything on your back."  Thanks!!  I will take that with a thank you!

Abram loved every freaking minute of it all (when he wasn't napping in the sled).  I fed him banana, oatmeal and yogurt on the top (in the wind and snow/freezing rain) while he was in his pack and that worked slick.  Then we headed down - it felt SO GOOD to get out with him and Ann and the dogs and have TWO whole days of the weekend for the things I need and love. 

Summit Face.

Right before lunch - watching the dogs wrestle, I am sure.

Mountain top goodness - Zircon right to the right of Abram's wizard head - White Cap just to the right of that - the Bald Pates and Old Speck to the left.  Speckled is my Peru White Cap - close and gorgeous.  I hike it all the time and love it every time.

While we changed back into our ski boots I sat the little guy up in his sled and he just hung out.  It wasn't too long before he was reaching over the edge, on his belly, playing in the snow.  He loves it all. 

All bundled in and ready for nap number two as we ski out - carrying my gear at his feet.

The stream crossing.

So. Good.  It was what I needed - now one more little week and then I have a whole nine days for more of the same - or something like it.  Take THAT, Monday morning, I am ready for you.