I watched two young women ski across the golf course here yesterday and it got me thinking about my own past cross-country ski adventures. My favourite trails were the Glenelg Highlands trails which are extensive enough that I only skiid one part of the trails on any one visit. These are the trails on one of the associated private properties involved in the club.
The trail starts across an open field and as you can see, it's well groomed. In crisp winter weather like we have right now, it makes for perfect ski conditions.
You're soon into the woods, and crossing the shadows of all the tall deciduous trees.
At one point the trail runs along the edge of fields to the east, with long lines of fences, and tall Sugar Maples marking the edge of the woods.
At this point a major snowmobile trail passes close by. Snowmobiles are a big part of rural winter life up here, and as far as I've seen snowmobilers and skiers get along fine. Snowmobiles are of course used to groom the ski trails. Further south I've heard of snowmobilers damaging crops, not realizing that the winter wheat is coming up beneath the snow cover, but up here many of the snowmobilers are from farm families themselves and they know enough to stick to the designated trails.
After a few wiggles, I get to the Long Piney Woods trail, between two well-trimmed rows of pines planted quite a few years back. If you get going well at the crest of the trail you can run down all the way and out into the open. Exhilarating!
Then it's back to the open field, along past the summer beehives, and out to the car. My usual ski would be a lot longer than this post; it usually took me an hour or more.
You brought back many memories of my own cross country skiing in Colorado. I also spent many an hour happily gliding across the ground. :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting variety of sights on that trail. My cross-county skiing was confined to forest trails and old woods roads -- but those days are behind me now.
ReplyDeleteWhen our family visited B.C. and went to Kamloops and Kelowna, they were amazed at the length of the ski trails. One day when they returned to where they were staying, their mitts were frozen to the ski poles!!! It far surpassed what we have here. Love your reminiscence photos.
ReplyDeleteMy idea of fun. I've been able to get out a couple of times to do some cross country this winter.
ReplyDeleteSomething I've never done but often thought I'd love to. Never really had anyone willing enough to go with me to encourage me to buy skiis. Those trails could sure talk a person into though, just beautiful! Thank you for taking me along on the trail.
ReplyDeletelooks like that would have been a fun thing to do.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
awwww, what fun memories and really beautiful images!!
ReplyDeleteOur best place to ski, along the Confederation Trail, is reserved for snowmobiles in the winter. Skiers are not allowed. I don’t understand why they can’t co-exist.
ReplyDeleteI love winter shadows!
ReplyDeleteThose well done winter ski trail photos through the woods brought back memories for me as well back in my cross country ski days in the mid 80's.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the memories and these beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Ah, the good old days! My cross country skis rusted out. I think my snowshoes have been stolen, too! sigh.
ReplyDelete