The Snowshoe Event

On Sunday afternoon we were invited to participate in a Snowshoe event.

We travelled to the Manning Park where we camp each summer.

We were promised a hot chili tail gate party. .

and who .. tell me who ..

would say no thanks to that.

The sign that normally says ..

Lone Duck Group Campground now boasted the Winter version.

We set out to find some picnic tables in the day use area . .
and thought for awhile that they must remove them for the winter.
How is a person supposed to have a picnic with no picnic tables we wondered.


We located one. .
and the boys proceeded to remove the snow. . .
telling us that there was no snow under the table top.
Us girls were not overly impressed and we suggested that we find somewhere more suitable to lay out our picnic.

We came to the group shelter that has two long picnic tables and a wood stove.

The boys. .

ever hopeful to please. .

hauled the wood from the truck and built a fire.

What is not to love about a shelter with a real wood fire to warm the toes?

While Kathy heated up her chili on their Thunder Range . .

I took pictures of the surroundings. ...

. . .and set the table.

After lunch we put on our snowshoes and began our hike walk on the Lightening Lake.

I was happy that I could squeeze in one more first time experience in my year of Jubilee.

After walking straight up one and a half lakes. .

we cut up to the trail and headed back.

The sky was perfectly blue. .

not a cloud nor a breeze.

Scot and Kathy did some synchronized moves which we documented for the Snowshoe event.

This may not have been an official Olympic event . .

and we worried not one speck of how the official team was doing.

We had our PVR set to tape the game and had plans to eat pizza while watching the game ..

post time.

As in all sports ..

there are dangers lurking.

We observed the lesson on making ourselves large if a break in the ice should occur.

We were officially warned that snowshoeing on the ice was not recommended ..

and the occasional crack had us walking softly.

The ice crystals which formed on sheltered areas where the snow could not reach. .

were so beautiful and tempting to touch.

I resisted to allow the next blogger. .

photo material too.

We noticed one plane after another crossing the sky above us.

We stopped often to marvel at the beauty around us.

The bridge which we have crossed dozens of time in summer . .

looked lonely in the winter.

On our way back we walked past the campground where we camped last summer and compared calendars for this years camping.

When we got back to the shelter . .

the embers were still hot and a fresh log was laid to warm us once more.

Eventually we had to turn in our snowshoes and head back down the mountain.

It really was a mountain top experience. .

and I was relaxed and peaceful feeling incredibly blessed.

**************************

What a fantastic year I had.

Today I turn 51 and officially am in my 52 year (as Anneliese kindly reminded me).

I'm starting it by crossing off one more thing on unofficial bucket list.

We're visiting the folks from the Today Show on NBC.

By the time you read this. .

we'll be at the top of Grouse Mountain for the 4:00 AM PST taping of the show which airs at 7:00 AM PST.

I may be 51 but in my heart .. .

I'm still a girl. . .

in love and loving life.

All for now. . .