Recreation

I used to dream about a new pair of cross-country skis for a season, evaluate different options, wait for a bargain, then purchase an expensive pair, and finally spend hours prepping the bases. Having invested so much time, money and effort in the skis, it seemed natural to do everything in my power to preserve them. I waxed and scraped them repeatedly, stored them carefully between uses, and skied carefully to avoid rocks or other hazards. In fact, I respected the value of the skis so much, I only used them in perfect conditions.

Now that winter is over and I am reviewing (and largely discarding) the snow photos I took, I am struck both by how many there are (reflecting lots of cold shoots) and how disappointingly few are worth keeping. I think I see a hopeful trend towards improvement over the season. Here’s a summary of what I have learned this season. It may benefit someone else - but it is mostly to get me started next winter where I ended this spring. The photos are from one of my last skis of the season.

Wind’s blowing.

Still snowing.

Drift’s growing.

So let’s go ski.

It’s getting bad.

This weather’s mad.

Don’t be sad.

So let’s go ski.

It’s almost night.

No lights in sight.

Dress up tight.

So let’s go ski.

Life is tough.

Luck is rough.

Hope’s not enough.

So let’s go ski.

It’s not just snow.

Where cold storms blow.

It’s life you know.

So let’s go see.

It’s hard for me to believe that there was a phase of my life - once upon a time and long, long ago - when Nordic skiing was unknown to me, rather than the abiding passion it has become. But it’s true.