Kids, Lakes, Loons and Pines

First of Spring

It is officially the first day of Spring, but we will be experiencing winter weather for a while here in the Northwoods.

We have been lake skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding, ice fishing, and snow shoveling to mark the calendar/vernal/spring equinox.

It may still look like full-on winter here, but the longer days and beautiful sunshine are reminders that warmer days are just around the corner!

I enjoy sharing these snapshots with family and friends and my students and their families, who drop by from all corners of the world, too.

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This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice of gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

 

 

Late Winter Fun

I have been getting outside as much as possible, enjoying warmer late-winter days and great lake and trail conditions. 

Today I went on an adventure on a cross-country ski to the Canadian border with my friend, Deb.  We had a great day crossing lakes in the BWCA to a remarkable destination.

Fat tire biking has also been fun. 

We have benefited from the packed-down trails by dogsled teams for both lake skiing and fat tire biking.


Having fun things to do makes the long winters more bearable and fun.

I am looking forward to more late winter/early snow sports adventures.

Winter (weather) is here...

The snow and cold have arrived and it is time to enjoy our winter fun activities (and cozy, caffeinated beverages)!

This is what we've been up to in my neck of the woods:

I have been out snowboarding with these two a couple of times already. We learned this sport several seasons ago and have now all developed the skills and confidence to make the experience super FUN! There is something special about snowboarding with your kids.  I am looking forward to many more opportunities as the season progresses.

Fat tire biking is another fun winter activity that I have come to enjoy.  My bike is all set with winter studded tires. We have a newly developed trail system close by, which is a whole additional playground for this fun thing to do.  Frozen lakes and packed-down dogsled trails are also great places I take my fat-tire bike in the winter to get out and explore.

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago before our big snow, but running and hiking are also in my rhythms of outdoor exercise.  I enjoy getting out with my canine hiking/running companion every season of the year on the trails.

And then there are the skinny skis! We have enough snow now for our local trails to be groomed. The kids and I have all been out on our skis, our oldest two will be competing in their first nordic ski race of the season tomorrow.

Needless to say, we have a lot of avenues of winter fun!

 

Around Here...

Around here...

We are spending time at the slopes, the boys and I ventured to our nearby ski hill on Saturday and enjoyed a day skiing and snowboarding.   I am having fun working on my telemark skiing skills, while the boys navigate through woods trails and jumps in the terrain park.  

Around Here...

We are getting around on our skinny skis as well.   All six of us were out nordic skiing at one time or another this weekend.   The boys all went to MYSL and I went out on a long ski with my girl.
Around Here...

I am having a lot of fun on my new bike!  Friday I biked into work and I have been going out every day doing some "hot laps" on some trails that James is maintaining for me on our property.  It is fun and the exercise is great for both me and my canine companion.

Oh what fun we are having with this snow this winter!

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This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?