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| Over February vacation my daughter (pictured) and I drove two hours north to Sugarloaf Mountain. The peak was hidden in frozen mist. After one miserable day of white-outs, we abandoned downhill for cross-country skiing at the base. Away from the crowds and the chairlifts, it felt like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia. The snow fell light and soft on empty trails. |
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| The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center has 90 km of groomed Nordic trails with warming huts serving hot cocoa and tea. The base lodge has homemade soups, oven roasted turkey on fresh baked bread and apple brownies. Yep, skiing is all about the food. |
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| I worked up an appetite trying to keep up with the 40th fastest girl skier in state division C. My daughter patiently halved her pace to my poky 8 km/hour and gave me helpful pointers. She'll make a fine captain of the Nordic Ski Team next year (announced last night!) |
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| When we returned home, our driveway was hidden under a foot of fresh snow. |
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| The trees were frosted white. I stood for a moment in awe of the familiar transformed. |
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| Best of all, my husband had done all the shoveling and tidied the mudroom. |
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| Bluebird sky returned as my kids headed reluctantly back to school. |
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| Scout led the way into the woods, wagging her tail. I'm trying to train her to run outside the tracks. |
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| The early morning light was blue and the air was still. Snow showered down from the drooping pines randomly. |
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| I couldn't have dreamed of a moment this beautiful so close to home. |
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| At the cove I paused to listen to the Canada geese. Then I followed my tracks back the way I'd come. More snow is falling this morning through Friday; hopefully it won't turn to rain. I love a real winter! |
Blog Watch: Congratulations to Hana @Mama Shujaa for her story published in African Roar 2012! My friend and neighbor Susie Dorn is asking for suggestions on 50 books to read before turning 50. Congratulations to Carol@Flower Hill Farm on the birth of her grandson! Les@A Tidewater Gardener is hosting his annual Winter Walk-Off through March 19; this post is joining as a ski-off!
Oh such a beautiful post. The cross-country skiing looks like so much fun, but so physically challenging! Congrats to your daughter! The view when you returned home was spectacular. We are in the midst of heavy rain and winds....the first time I think I have seen the grass all winter it seems!
ReplyDeleteI know full well that it's wrong to be envious. But gee, you do make it difficult! That's just a magical scene. I can only imagine the quiet.
ReplyDeletexo,
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Oh my gosh. Stunning. Absolutely beautiful photos. I see things like this and wish (for a moment) we lived in a place with snow and had a real winter. Your photos are amazing. And that sweet little Scout- you know you get me every time with him!!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, magical & special to share it with your daughter. Real winter continues up here.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your daughter! Beautiful snowy pictures!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! I love real winters too, and these photos are breathtaking! Congrats to your daughter on making captain!
ReplyDeleteEnchanting photos (pun well intended! :-D). Many thanks. I thoroughly enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Nantucket Daff, I’m better at downhill than cross-country skiing, but the latter is easier to pick up as a beginner. Cross-country is more strenuous so I only go for an hour or two. Our snow is mixing a bit with rain and it’s a big 3 day storm. I bet it’s the same one as yours.
ReplyDeletePamela, the magic didn't last. The snow had melted off the trees by the end of the day. I got up early to capture it.
Kacky, I enjoyed your spring vicariously.
Cid, yep, Canada is similar to Maine.
Tina and Alyson, thanks! We’re really proud of her.
ACIL, thanks!
This is a lovely and beautiful post Sarah like always I enjoyed your pictures are amazing!:)
ReplyDeleteI love snow and winter; here we almost dont have snow in winter but in others parts yes.
Sarah maybe at night I make a new post wuth pictures of the south of Chile where We were the last days:)
Absolutely beautiful! I bet you did not have to look past many snowflakes to catch a glimpse of the devine, which probably would have also pleased C.S. Lewis.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter, and thank you for throwing your ski hat into the Winter Walk-Off ring.
Wow, Narnia is a great description of your trek. Fresh fallen snow is beautiful, but you can keep it up your way.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful winter impressions, Sarah! You definitely seem to have much more snow in your part of planet Earth compared to our random "flakes alert" every now and then here in the lowlands of the northern part of southern Germany.
ReplyDeleteUwe.
Hi Sarah thanks for stopping by, here is the link of my Villarrica post and kuchen I finish right now!
ReplyDeletehttp://canelakitchen.blogspot.com/2013/02/blueberry-kuchen-south-of-chile.html
I think I would find one of those shacks or the lodge and stay until spring! Your snow is lovely but definitely not my cup of tea anymore.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if cross-country beach skiing would be possible? Our sugar-white sand is almost as fluffy as snow. I need to find a pair of skis and give it a try.
OMG what a perfect sight you were blessed with...I'm almost drooling here! As a former Mainer, I miss it! Spring in Feb., while 'nice', just doesn't cut it in my mind...and I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a March blizzard here in VA. One can always have hope, right?! Just beautiful...I'm feeling jealous right now :)
ReplyDeleteHow proud you must be of your daughter! Congratulations to her. I felt as though I was standing there with you in the envelope of quiet that snow brings. It is truly breathtaking. I treasure those moments when we travel. Glad you're getting to enjoy your winter season.
ReplyDeletebeautiful pic's I grew up in upper N.Y.State...remember beautiful cold winters....sometimes I miss them when you post such pictures
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how much snow Maine has been getting! It's so beautiful and it's great that you're able to get out and enjoy it. I've always wanted to try cross-country skiing. It sounds like a great workout, especially when it's in Narnia-like surroundings!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter on being named captain of the team!
Beautiful snowy pics! Love seeing it on the blogs since we dont see much of it down here in GA. Congrats on your daughters skiing skills!
ReplyDeleteA winter wonderland!!! Scout looks happy amidst the snow :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love the stillness created by blankets of snow. Congrats to your daughter on being Captain next year!
ReplyDeleteWonderful Sarah. It all looks like a magical world and to be xcountry with your daughter...! I miss that sport. My innate caution to protect my artificial knee meant I had to give it up. Oh well. Vicariously seeing those trails is still nice.
ReplyDeleteThe very definition of winter wonderland jumps to mind. As usual, beautiful pictures, Sarah.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I do love real winter too! Your photos are wonderful. You know, you are such a lucky mum. Your son takes you on wilderness expeditions and your daughter coaches you on skis, I'm really curious and hopeful to see what my kids have in store for me. :)
ReplyDeletegorgeous shots, sarah. congratulations to your daughter!
ReplyDeleteand yes, skiing is all about the food :)
These pictures are stunning. Much as I'm doing crazyexciting things on my side of the globe, one thing that I haven't been able to experience in years is a good, long, beautiful snow. It really is like Narnia! You are lucky to live in such a place.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful pictures! And...congratulations to your daughter the captain!
ReplyDeleteStunning. It must be amazing to have that landscape to yourselves, with just the sound of the skies and your breathing.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful I didn't even feel the cold.
ReplyDelete