All Downhill From Here

Soccer Boy turned into Ski Boy for a few days, as he had some extra days off school and my gracious in-laws took him to stay in a lodge/cabin in the Kananaskis (an area in the mountains) for some Cross Country Skiing. We drove out to pick him up and went early so we could get in some snowshoeing and dinner before coming home. Ski Boy, his cousin and grandmother opted for one last ski together near the lodge. My Hubby, his dad, Princess and I headed out to the snowshoe trails at Sawmill Creek, a short drive up the Smith-Dorrien road.

We packed snowshoes, extra socks and dry clothes, winter woolies and a backpack of food and drink for a picnic lunch. How many people on this planet picnic in the snow in February! It’s surprisingly fun, when you’re all warmed up from exercise.

By the time we got out on the trail it was past noon. The thermometer on our van read -7C/19F and there was a stiff breeze, but the sun was shining mightily. We tromped along for about 20 minutes on the same trail we’d done just after Christmas. Up up up a big, two-stage hill. Over a big log that was easier to get over this time, as there was more snow now. We stopped at the same sunny spot for lunch.

My ditziness had struck again! On the way out of town we’d stopped to pick up sausage and bread, and I hadn’t put it directly in the pack. It was still back at the van!

Hey, I needed to get in a little extra hill work anyway, right?

I left the pack and family at the sunny lunch spot and jogged and walked back down the hills to the van. It only took me 15 minutes to get there and grab the forgotten food. Then I hauled myself back up over the big two-stage hill again. What do you know, I figure I got in an extra 2 km each way, and a good cardio effort at the same time. Yes, my calves and various other leg muscles whined a bit, but they did the job. Besides, I had to hurry; I’d left the wine with my husband!

We had our lunch and since we’d lost time due to my extra excursion, decided we didn’t have enough time to do the full trail loop and get back in time for supper. This being a familiar trail, we were able to do some bushwacking to cut through the middle.

At one point we stopped to change Princess’s socks. It seemed she’d gotten some snow in her boots while playing in the deep snow, and her toes were cold. Like magic I was able to whip out a fresh pair of warm socks for her, and she continued on with warmer feet.

We got back to the van after about an hour and headed to the cabin for a yummy turkey dinner. I ate two plates full. I LOVE turkey and the works, and the fresh air had really enhanced my appetite.

Now we’re at home, and I’ve got catching up to do before heading back to work tomorrow. Laundry to do, bread to bake, floors to vacuum…
but I sure had a great weekend 🙂