Go Cross Country Skiing

I had a very ambitious plan to make this into a "choose your own adventure" blog entry. Of course that was back before arts and crafts time ran long. (I had to make signs for the store and apparently it takes longer to apply all that glitter than I remembered from first grade) Instead you'll be getting an average "this is what I did" post. I know, I'm disappointed too.

I woke up today to the wonderful sight of snow! And not just a little flurry. Almost 4 inches of fluffy powdery snow! Once I finished shoveling I couldn't bring myself to go back inside. I love my snow and it was a balmy 29 degrees out so why go inside. What to do? Cross-Country Ski!!!!!! It took me a while to find my boots but soon I was off to the park down the road.



I made a couple of laps. Stopped to take pictures of the playground...



There's something sort of sad about a snow covered Jungle Gym... but peaceful all the same.



My own skis...



The pretty snowy trees...




I had forgotten how tiring it was to break your own trail. I hadn't gone very far and it was only 945 am but I was already tired. I stopped at a local ski shop and they told me about a nearby forest preserve with good trails. Side note: what is it with Illinois and forest preserves? is this something they do other places? how is it any different than a park? I really don't understand.

This park was exactly what I was looking for. Of course having never been there before I had no clue where I was going. So I just picked a trail and was off.



After a couple of "well I guess I'll go this way" turns I found a river.



There were some ducks swimming but they heard me approaching and flew off as I got close.



Following the river I found a bridge...



...and more importantly a trail map.



I'd made a loop of the north trails, about a mile and a half so far. I figured I had enough energy left to explore the southern trails rather than cut across and try to find my car. So I kept following the river.



Eventually I came across a path no one had taken yet...



I couldn't resist. I got to tell you, I was having so much fun. I'm such a geek. There I was alone in the woods with a goofy grin on my face, skiing along.



In retrospect the new path was maybe a bad choice. I think it ended up being the longer way around and I have to admit it was a relief to see a bright yellow spot in the distance.



Was it? Could I have found my way back? YAY it's Buck! Right where I left him....



I'm not sure why the sign said Habitat Restoration. It probably means I shouldn't have left the trail and scared those ducks though. Oh well. So that was my day. How was your monday?

The whole adventure reminded me of my favorite Frost poem: Stopping By the Woods On a Snowy Evening. This was one of those days where it's easy to see how amazing God is.