Sunday at the Trailshelter

I had the great fortune to spend some time catching up on news from 2007 & 2008 - papers left behind for firestarter, splitting wood, preparing food from the heat of a woodstove, melting snow for water and watching the sun and moon pass along the sky. With ever decreasing air temperatures (bottoming out at -43F) and increasing spirit - I found a day alone at the Trailshelter to be just the kind of day I'd been longing for.

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When the mercury cannot rise above thirty five below,

And breaking trail is thwarted by scorched blazes of a summer's wildfire,

There's a little hut offering sanctuary to the wayward skier,

That tenders quiet contemplation as frost melts from frozen lashes,

And serves a pastel sorbet evening sunset.

Just another long weekend in the White Mountains Recreation Area.

Sunday Sunrise-Sunset (36 miles thru White Mtns)

9:30a

1:30p

4:30p

Juxtaposition

Waterski the Arctic: It just had to be done.
Ben and I successfully waterskied one Arctic Lake.

Friday night: Clear skies and calm water
Air Temp: 60°F (15.5°C)
Water Temp: 60°F (15.5°C)

(in water getting ready)

(whoosh, such fun!)
...
Then we did it again two days later.
Sunday morning: Fresh snow and wind
Air Temp: 25.3°F (-3.7°C)
Water Temp: 55°F (13°C)

(Ben and I limber up)

(whoosh, such slightly colder fun!)

Poetic, is it not?

Linking Falls on an Open Mic

Opportunity chooses the high road,
Perception glances down the low.
A heart of gold plays an open mic
Whetting dreams with spinning delight.
Tune the noisemaker, play the chord,
Quickly now before they find the door.
No ties to bind, no hearts to break,
Keep it simple, only music to make.
Melt the vocals, harmonize into one,
Future’s unknown, but for now its fun.

(pics c/o Dreamerskier)

The approach to Tin Can, seen in foreground (Feb, 2009)

TrevO soaking up the sun

Skins off - time to run, fresh pow made it fun... for some.
I'm the world's worst downhill skier and this was a
pretty tough day for me.

Backcountry tracks show off how to carve a turn.
I chose to link some falls.

A Day on the Jack River

(Jack River ski line-up - Dec 2008)

(Headed into the valley)

Jack River be frozen, Jack Ice be slick
Can't wait to make the ice tools stick
No cape today for Christie's still sick.

Three "buff" gals and two hearty dogs
With temps so warm, it ain't no slog
A day so delightful will go on the blog.

Caribou herds, Penny's got 'em retreating
Hold it...Perfect picture for "Season's Greetings"
With Erin, Amy, Penny and Clem not fleeting.

Where's the ice? It must be a trick
Keep on going through all the thick
No climbing today, light wanes too quick.

For December in Alaska short is the wick
On Mother Goose's ice cold candlestick
No worries, next time we'll use the pick.

(Season's Greetings from Erin, Amy, Penny and Clemson)

(Fun little downhill section - wohoo!)