Snow Way!

Snow emergencies were called, kids got out of going to school, businesses shut down and we ended up with a grand total of 1.5" of snow. Yes, that is INCHES not feet. I didn't even have to pick up a shovel. What's going on here? Mother Nature is apparently lost and needs to get a new map or a good GPS.

We desperately need snow up in the mountains of Vermont so I can go snowmobiling this weekend. I'm so jealous of everyone in NJ, PA, MD, DC, NY, CT and R.I.

The winter Olympics in Vancouver start next week and they are scrambling to get the mountains covered since they haven't had nearly enough snow. They shouldn't have to build ski slopes out of cardboard and hay bales.

I think Mother Nature is screwing with us. If you see her, please give her directions to the mountains up north.

Playing in the Snow

Most people don't understand it but I absolutely love the winter - the more snow the better. I feel sorry for people who hibernate like bears in the winter and don't fully enjoy the snowy season. There is nothing better than gearing up and going out all day to play in the snow. Snowmobiling is so good for my head and it's even better now that I'm not trying to unwind from a horrific week at work, I can just enjoy the ride.

Last Saturday we went on our first snowmobile ride of 2010. We rode 145 miles from Groton, VT, through Danville, Lyndon and into East Burke. We stopped for lunch and a hot drink and then made our way back to Groton. We were out all day from 9 a.m. 'til 6:30 p.m. and I only got stuck once. The trail conditions were not the best but pretty decent considering we haven't gotten much snow in the area. It was extremely cold with temps in the single digits but that only means we take shorter breaks in the treeline out of the wind instead of in the open fields on the top of a mountain.

I was so much more comfortable and could muscle my sled around and stand up more easily while riding since I have more strength and less bulk slowing me down. I did a little happy dance when I put my snowmobile pants on for the first time and didn't feel like a stuffed sausage like I did last year. I was able to zip them up without any problem and even had room to spare. Last year I had to hold them closed, hold my breath, suck it all in and PULL HARD.

I'm going to break out my favorite jacket I haven't been able to wear the last few years to see if it fits. The last time I tried it on I could only get it zipped around my waist but couldn't pull it down over my hips. While everyone else is trying to fit into a bathing suit, I'm making it my winter goal to fit into that jacket before the end of the snowmobile season.

B's on call this long holiday weekend so we can't go up north but I'm already looking forward to the next ride and how much lighter I'll be by then. Ride on.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Thematic Photographic - Winter

I have been slacking in my Thematic Photographic participation but wanted to be sure to post an entry on my favorite season - Winter. I know people are longing for Spring here but I am holding out for more snow. I absolutely love winter and winter sports - especially snowmobiling. You can check out more snowy winter photos on my VTRiders blog.

If you want to participate in the fun, head over to Written Inc. and check out the details.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!

Still Snowing ...

I've always loved the winter. You won't hear me complaining about the cold weather because you can always add layers but there is only so much you can take off when it is sticky hot and humid. I get so excited when I can get out and play in the mountains and would rather be there than the beach any day.

I have tons of winter gear that keeps me warm and dry which is the key to enjoying winter sports. It is worth the price to pay the extra money for the quality gear. It is worth every penny when you are out in the elements. I pray for piles of snow and I find myself counting the days until the snowmobile trails open in the middle of summer. The trails opened last Tuesday and I was getting excited looking forward to that first ride of the season on some fresh powder. I'm a winter girl and usually never complain about too much snow until this past weekend.

My office closed at 3:00 on Friday but because I now work for a complete *ssh*le I ended up having to work until after 5:00 (I was not happy). I finally got home in the height of the storm and had to shovel out my driveway all by myself. B worked late Friday night, Saturday morning and again this morning which meant that we couldn't go up north to play. I tried to get one of my friends to drive up with me but he had to stay home this weekend too. My in-laws were on vacation and the college kids that live downstairs went home for the holidays so I was the only one around to do snow removal. I spent hours Friday night shoveling, I spent hours Saturday morning and night shoveling, and I spent more time out there this morning shoveling. My back is sore and I'm very cranky I couldn't take my snowmobile out for a ride.

I realized that I don't love the snow as much as I thought I did. I really love it when I am out playing in it. When I'm skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or snowmobiling I absolutely LOVE IT but when I'm stuck in the city for the weekend shoveling, not so much love.

At least shoveling is good exercise, right? Time to get back out there and shovel some more ... oh my aching back.

Spring Ahead ...

Most people here in the Northeast look forward to spring, they are sick of the cold weather, they are sick of shoveling snow, they are sick of the heavy coats, scarfs, gloves and all the winter gear they need to pile on everyday but I'm not usually one of them. I have always loved the winter and will wish for a good blizzard or nor'easter. The more snow the better.

I love the way the snow softens the sounds of the city and puts a pure coat of white over the dirty streets making them seem safe and serene. I love to get out and play in the snow more than anything else and most winter weekends I am doing something in the snow. We used to spend our weekends skiing at one Vermont mountain or another where we would always have a great story to tell about some secret trail, a good wipe out or crazy lift ride. As long as nobody gets hurt it is always a blast to spend the day on the mountains. We would fly down some crazy black diamond trails and yell at each other to "go big or go home," or "if you ain't scared, you ain't skiing downhill." I even started snowboarding the past few years and spent lots of time on my *ss but loved every single sore minute of it.

The past few years we have done less skiing and snowboarding and more snowmobiling. We would anxiously await the weekend forecast and pray for fresh snow so we could plan our weekend rides around the best areas. The past few years we've had to trailer the sleds for miles to find the good snow but this year we were blessed and could take advantage of the trails in our own back yard. Cruising down the trials and in the woods on my snowmobile relaxes me, thrills me and gets my heart pumping like nothing else.

When I'm riding I'm not thinking about my stressful job or my battle of the bulge, I'm not thinking of how much weight I need to lose or the size of my thighs, I'm not thinking about all the housework that I need to do or the bills that need to get paid, I'm not thinking about anything except the trail ahead and taking in as much of the amazingly breathtaking scenery as I can. I have perm-a-grin all day long under that helmet and sleep like a baby after a good 150-200 mile day-long ride.

This past month has been incredibly tough because not only have I been playing nurse to B who broke his back but I haven't been able to take advantage of one of the best snowmobile seasons in the past decade. The riding this past month has been pristine and I have been stuck in the dirty, crowded, noisy city trying not to get too depressed about missing out. I'm jealous of everyone out there ripping up the trails and taking advantage of the white gold that finally found its way back to the great white north.

Every year on this day I would be hoping we still get a few of those big spring snowstorms to improve the trail conditions enough to get us through to the end of the season (April 15th) but this year I just want it to be over. I don't want to have to shovel it and deal with the cold if I can't have the joy of going out and playing in it.

Now I know how people who hibernate all winter feel. They just wait for those longer days and rejoice at the site of melting snow. I'm sad to say that I have reluctantly joined that group this year. I'm forced to look forward to next winter when my riding partner is back in the saddle and can join me on the trail again.

I'm not happy about it but I'm springing ahead ...