Skate Skiing

Wednesday, I skate skied for the first time. The sport is so hard both classic and skating. These professional athletes make it look so easy. I liked it but every time there was a slight incline and I mean slight, I would flounder. Brad wanted to check out the North side of the ski center. Instead of taking a break, I skied with him. Stupid! The North side was "flatter" but we had to do some climbs to get to the flat section. Of course, I found that out after I was out there. I had to herring bone up all the little climbs. Bitching. Brad was a trooper. He hearing is bad so he probably didn't hear me bitching much anyways. We had a blast. At one point I did yell to him as he waited for me at the top of a climb; "If I could catch you, I would kick you ass!!"

Thursday, we all skied like old pros. Or that's what we told ourselves. Damn, it is hard but I love it. I was able to skate up the little risers double and single poling. If you watch the video, imagine how easy they make the sport look. If I was on the course with those women, I would look like a turtle in snow and that is pretty slow!! But I still had fun.

Winter Wonderland

We are off on a little excursion in Redfield/Osceola, NY cross country skiing. The high temperature of the day was 22 but the winds were howling. Dinner was at the Reservoir Inn, a gas station converted into a restaurant and motel. The guys had Delmonico steak with mashed potatoes and veggies, I had a mushroom Stromboli and Karen had the ham steak and mac and cheese special. We classic skied for about a hour and I was tired. Today shall be interesting as we have seven hours to ski!!! I guess I will start with skate skiing for the first time. Brad bought me skis and boots for Winter Solstice. I will have to use some one's poles or rent them as I need 135 cm poles.

We stayed at a "B&B" in Redfield, NY, a town with a population of about 300. Our housing arrangements are more like a boarding house than a "B&B" but it is sufficient. Another couple with two little boys are staying here, too. They are sledding all over the place. They are from Wilkes-Barre and have stayed here for snowmobiling past winter seasons. Snowmobilers are everywhere.

Blessed Winter Solstice

All I want for Christmas is two feet of snow, two feet of snow, two feet of snow!!! We are set for the storm with cat litter and food. The shovels are out and the cars are parked in the driveway in a way to limit Brad's shoveling (I will probably be doing the shoveling as I need the upper body workout and Brad back is bad). We are already sipping tea watching the snow fall. It is Smeagol's favorite thing to watch after birds and swirling leaves. Brad is making the calls for cross country skiing. Happy Solstice!!!

Sangiovese

This is my new favorite wine. I tried it at Wines & More and thought; Ew? The taste was a bit tarry and smoky. But I had tried other wines before it and I was HUNGRY so I thought my taste buds were probably off.

Well, I really like it. This is the brand I tried from W&M and paid $10 a bottle! I cannot WAIT to finish off the bottle tonight.

29!

Damn. No wonder I cracked on my little, six mile ride home after my last full class tonight. First, I thought all the stress that built up the last 15 weeks taking my first graduate class came pouring out of me on my ride home at 7:30 p.m. tonight. My mind went wild with thoughts. I am too shaky and hungry I cannot even type let alone think.

Wow. It was COLD riding home and I got blown over twice, too. I have egg rolls in the toaster oven with tortilla chips and ORANGE cheese, a handful of chocolates and a glass of wine. No, I am not PMSing. I guess I hope to de-stress and warm up!

All ready to relax while watching the Steelers. Right~Not sure how that is going to happen.