January 2009

2009 is starting off with quite a flurry of activity. First of all, I am trying to go to Vertigals Downhill skiing group on Wednesday mornings and did get a couple of those sessions in this month. I also went to a couple of session of Vertigals Nordic where I am relearning how to skate ski. It is sure harder when you are packing on an extra few pounds.
On January 11th, I went with the Idaho Mountain and Recreation Club to snowshoe at Whoop em-up area. Colls lead the group and we did the longer Whoop em up loop. The snow was great and it was sunny and beautiful.
On the weekend of January 16th, I went with Jane and a few Tucker-ites, Norma, Jeannette, Patricia and Dennis and his wife to Anthony Lakes, Oregon. See my entry on the Anthony Lakes page. http://www.whereiskathryn.com/USA/IdahoOregonMontana/AnthonyLakes/tabid/88/Default.aspx
Jeanette and I headed up early Friday so we could go get some pictures around Baker City. We did find an old Studebaker in Drukee(?), Oregon which was a great subject except it was so cold. We had lunch in the historic hotel in Baker City and then headed on out to the rented house taking pictures of the snow sceneries, critters and ice crystals along the way.
On Saturday, we all went cross country skiing (except a few of the Tuckers who went downhill skiing and Jane who is still recuperating from foot surgery). It was really cold, but I managed to get in 3 loops around the lake. When we got back, Jane had prepared this huge meal with roast turkey, veggies, stuffing, potatoes and desert. Of course, a lot of wine and beer too.
On Sunday, we were awakened by Norma turning on the lights at 4:00a.m. Jeanette's cell phone was beeping to charge it. I had given Jeanette some earplugs, so she and I were snoozing quite comfortably. Norma and Patrice were being kept awake by this irritation. Thus, she decided we all need to wake up and fix the problem. The Jeanette was in a talkative mood and I had to tell them all it was time to go back to bed. Sheesh! Later, I went downhill skiing along with the kids and the rest went snowshoeing. They were going to take the lift up to the top and snowshoe down, but were not allowed on the lift. No problem, they just hiked up. It turned out to be much more of a workout than they expected.
The next weekend starting on Thursday January 22nd, I went to Montana to ski Bridger and Big Sky with the Bogus Basin Ski Club. It was so COLD! We braved it anyway as the skiing was so fantastic. I roomed with Jane Gabbert and the two of us skiied together for the 3 ski days. I was going to wimp out a few times due to the cold, but she always wanted to get in one more run.
On January 28th, a Wednesday, I went up to Brundage with my Vertigals group for a great day of skiing the slopes there.
In between all this, I did have to get in my work hours.