Today, my blog comes to you from the Fraser Lake library. I have 30 minutes. I upgraded my computer to Snow Leopard as I have to have that operating system before I can upgrade to Lion, the newest Mac OS. Once Snow leopard was successfully loaded my phone could no longer tether my data as the internet. I can't access the internet with my computers, this is a pain. I came to Fraser Lake today hoping I could access their wireless and download the Lion upgrade and hopefully that nasty bug between Snow Leopard and the iphone will be resolved. This is stupid, its the SAME company, shouldn't their very expensive equipement all get along?
Unfortunately their internet isn't wireless, all the computers are hooked up to a central hub. So I can't download Lion. Well its not all in vain, I can still write my blog and I'm in a library and I like that too!
This is a rest day. I bought Cross-Country ski equipement. My brother Morris came in from Prince George on the weekend and we went to Smithers for a night. I'd never been there and needed to have a change of pace. What a neat town tucked away out there. Plenty of skiing and hiking and lots of mountains to have fun in. There are lots of outdoor stores and as Morris and I were perusing I spied all the cross country gear. Done! I walked out with a really great rig. They're slightly wider skis than the norm but still fit in a track, they have metal edges and fish scales and are designed for more rugged terrain. Perfect for the lake!
Yesterday I went out on them for the first time. Morris was upstairs with mom, practicing guitar cords and I was getting my outdoors clothes on in the basement, fixing my gaters to fit my new boots. I felt this buzz of excitement, like this was a big day. Or at very least a great day. Listening to the guitar music coming from mom and Morris, and I'm trying a new sport. I wanted to remember everything, how I felt, the music, my surroundings. It seemed like a rediculously beautiful and peaceful moment. Perhaps in 60 years I might be telling someone the story of the first time I put on my first pair of cross-country skis and I want to get it just right. I had a similar feeling when I brought my first climbing rope home. Somehow it felt important, it signified a commitment on my part and one I was giving with excitement.
Once I got out the door I clipped on the skis and got ready to face the short rolling decline needed to get from the yard to the actual ice on the lake. No biggie I reasoned. I'd been on backcountry skiis last year and that was fine, I wasn't a complete novice. I'm sure I can make it down a little decline, I can do this, I can do thisssss whhoooaaa splat! On my ass - literally. Those skinny skis are long and the binding doesn't disengage. It was awkard to get up, with Mom and Morris laughing from the house! Entertainment was had while I struggled, it was funny, I was laughing too. :-)
Finally I made it to the lake and as soon as it was flat I felt the glide of the skis. It felt magical; like Lyger Magical. I fell in love with the movement and how little effort it takes. Freedom!! All of a sudden the mythical Mouse Mountain wasn't so far away after all now that I could ski. This was super fucking cool.
I found a fresh ski-doo trail and started to move. I could tell I had no technique as the skis would slip behind me rather than provide energy forward. I'm on the lighter side of the wieght for this binding so the sales guy told me I'd have to give extra thought to pushing down on the ski when I pushed off. I couldn't help but think my weight vest may come in handy once I got better - and a good workout to boot!
The ski-doo trail was taking me across the lake and that seemed a reasonable distance. The sky was brilliant blue against the glittering white snow. My breath causing a melting fog in front of me. The tempurature was a crisp -10. Perfect for when you're moving swiftly. I love winter. I love snow. I love ice. Winter has a clarity to it that is missing in the warmth of summer. Winter air hones the senses and keeps us alert.
I got to the far side of the lake and headed home. Turned out I was gone about 1hr40 minutes which barely felt like an hour.
While I was out skiing Ray called their neighbour Maryanne who is an avid cross-country skier. He told her she has a partner if she wants one. Maryanne was ready to snap on her skis immediately and come over but I was already half-way across the lake.
After lunch I figured a nap was a fine idea. I was in a half-asleep state on the bed when I heard a female voice and knew it was Maryanne. She was at the front door in her ski gear and a big grin, wanting to get out there. I was tired but still had enough energy so I was good to go. We went on a loop by her place. She's fast and I had to push to keep up but it was awesome to have an outdoor buddy. She said I'm doing great for a beginner. We'll get out again on Weds.
Today I'm a sore puppy! My first jaunt on the lake would have been fine but I know the second run with Maryanne was pushing it. Today was supposed to be a long run day but I know my body needs a day off. My hip flexors are tender and that's the last thing I want to injure while training for a marathon. Instead its a library day. I will probably have to go into Vanderhoof to get wireless if I really want to solve this computer problem today. And I really want to solve this computer problem today. Before that I'll head out to the sports store here in Fraser Lake and see if they have wireless perhaps. Maybe this can be solved here. That would be nice.
I think my time is up on the computer so it's time to end my blog.
Till next time.
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