Man, did I need that! I can’t remember the last time I went x-c skiing. I know it was sometime the winter of 2011. That’s two years ago. Last year? Well, first of all, there wasn’t a whole lot of snow here in the Great Lake State. Also, it was the winter we said goodbye to The Commander and I spent a whole lot of time hanging around at War Memorial and Freighter View. I did a lot of walking during that period — up and down the escarpment to wherever The Comm was. It helped me keep my sanity. Skiing? I didn’t even have enough wits about me to haul my skis up there.

Despite considerable panic on my part yesterday, we did end up driving to Houghton Lake this morning. I knew that x-c skiing was in my immediate future and I was actually *dreading* it. Could I still do it? Would I be able to schlep myself up the hills? Would I break my neck going down the hills? Would I have to struggle to keep up with the others? Not to mention that it was borderline too warm to x-c ski today. At least in my book. Would it be one of those days when it’s so slippery you find yourself slipping backwards with every glide? Would I get too hot?

I forced myself to haul my skis across the highway and put them on. I told the GG I was going to go off by myself. We had six skiers today, of widely varying levels of experience. I have a *lot* of experience but I do *not* consider myself a pro, plus it’s been a couple years…

I started slowly and even a little shakily. “I’ll just go out to the Trapper’s Cabin and see how it goes.” I got to the Trapper’s Cabin and, guess what? I was A-okay! I wasn’t winded and I was even starting to get back in to the groove! I kept going! I did the Manitou Trail. The GG caught up with me about halfway around that. He had been kind of wondering where I was. I shooed him on ahead. I was *digging* being alone, getting my x-c ski mojo back at my own pace. And I was okay! I didn’t get tired or hot going uphill. I snowplowed the downhills. But I was doing okay. I met up with the Twinz back at the Trapper’s Cabin where I re-waxed. Then I did the Adventure Trail and Rolling Hills, including the new/old “trail extension”. And then I was done.

I felt absolutely totally utterly fantastic! Like I had actually done something. Warm and almost kind of glowing. I couldn’t believe that I had almost bagged skiing today. Using every lame excuse in the book. Why? I do not know. I was not the fastest skier today but I was far from the slowest. I suspect I will have some sore muscles in the next few days but it will be that lovely “thank you for using me” kind of sore.

We have a full house tonight and The GG is hankering for a ‘hattan and things are getting loud and confusing in general. G’night! Be careful and please don’t hit black ice, whether you are walking or driving.

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 23rd, 2013 at 6:14 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.