Note to self: Bring a neckwarmer and glasses when you go cross-country skiing, even if you don't think you'll need them.
I had a nice cross-country skate ski at Bolton Valley this afternoon. The snow was falling and I was finally getting a workout after a week of back pain. It was great to be on the snow again!
There was up to an inch of fresh snow on the nordic trails (see my first tracks?) and probably more up in the backcountry trails and alpine area. I worked my way up the hills, but then had to squint and tuck my chin in my collar for the fast downhills because I was getting bombarded by snowflakes. (Such a hardship, I know.)
I took a few macro photos of the snowflakes. This is no Snowflake Bentley shot, but not bad.
I went out on Maple Loop then up to World Cup, before swinging back to my car to grab my sunglasses. There is still a lot of snow in the woods in this area. Then I went down Picnic because I never go on this side of the nordic network. It was pretty fun, but less scenic than in the deep woods.
Later, I watched on television as the US men's nordic combined skiers wowed everyone in an Olympic cross-country race. They earned a silver medal, and also placed skiers in 4th and 6th. It was an amazing, exciting race right to the finish. I'm inspired to ski fast!
At this time, the Vermont forecast calls for some snow nearly all of this week. I'm looking forward to getting out on it again. With my neckwarmer and goggles or glasses, of course.
