Ski Season, Check – Spring…?

Yesterday was a gorgeous day. The sun stained the lingering morning clouds pink before rising brightly, and the air was clear. Tony and I took off at 8:30 for our last rides down the slopes at Shanty Creek for the season. The snow was slow, but the resort was uncrowded, so we didn’t mind. We played in all our favorite places, and then tested the (frozen) waters of some steeper runs that we had avoided on account of they were either too bumpy or icy. The fresh powder gave me the confidence to suggest we tackle Kingdom Come – a quick 450-foot drop down the face of Shanty’s biggest and steepest hill.

Old Mission Outings

More than two weeks ago, Jess and I took a photography field trip up the Old Mission Peninsula. It was a dramatic kind of day. The temperature was in the single digits, and the wind chill was well south of zero. Parts of the sky were clear with bright sun spilling through, and other parts were heavily clouded with snow pouring down. Since it was so cold out, our field trip consisted of multiple brief stops where we’d hop out of the car, frame a few shots, then run back to the car to warm up.

I intended to share the photos sooner, but with one thing and then five, it didn’t happen. And then I accumulated more. Chances are, since the weekend is ahead of me, that I will be accumulating even more photos, so while Tony and I are out skiing this morning, I’m going to share. This way we can all move on with our lives 😉 In addition to this morning’s outing, we’re going to check out a chocolate festival in Boyne City and then maybe go for a hike tomorrow. What plans do you have?

Happy Weekend!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Illumination

The weather outside has been frightfully warm, at least for January. Tony and I went skiing on Sunday before things started to heat up, and then avoided the melty surfaces the remainder of the week. By lunchtime today, Traverse City was a balmy 55F (13C), and we witnessed multiple crazies out in shorts and sandals. Even though this week has been beautiful and sunny, I was uninspired to get out in it since sunny and above freezing = icky snow/ice on the sand roads nearest home. Finally today Tony and I ventured out, in search of illumination. Well, I sought illumination – the topic of the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge. I’m pretty sure Tony was just along for the ride. Even though he was driving 😉

So It’s November…

I usually decorate for fall, strewing pumpkins and leaves and cinnamon candles throughout our home, but this year I simply did not get around to it. I was so busy carving out time outdoors that I never made the time to carve up a gourd. Now that Halloween has passed, I just don’t see the point. I realize that Thanksgiving falls between Halloween and Christmas – and I have so many things for which to be thankful – but I just cannot talk myself into getting out the fake fall stuff when the real fall stuff has already dried up and blown away.

Sandy Comes to TC

Having lived in Miami when a tropical storm stalled, dumping about twenty inches of rain in less than six hours, I truly sympathize with those who are dealing with Sandy’s aftermath on the east coast. Thankfully, our ground-floor apartment happened to be in a high spot (a true rarity in Miami), and we did not flood, but we did lose a car to the widespread disaster, and we did witness its impact on the city. However, we did not have to deal with any cold temperatures, and so my heart is with those of you who are putting your lives back in order.

The thing about life, though, is that even when devastation is occurring in one place, elation occurs elsewhere. When you’re on the side that’s falling apart, it surely doesn’t seem fair, but we all know that cliché about life and its unfairness. And probably also the one about changing the things we can control and letting go the ones we can’t.