Jan 30 Cross Country Skiing

Jan 30, 2014

After 3 days of downhill skiing, we used our ski passes to explore the nordic skiing center today. We rented gear and cross country skied for a couple hours. It was fun and great exercise, especially for us midwesterners who are used to flat trails…

Since this may be our last sunny day here I was jonesing to get out and take some pics. I haven't brought out the big camera during our downhill ski days (because it is bulky and don't want to risk impaling myself with it if I fall) and I also haven't brought my iPhone (because it has decided lately to shut down anytime the temperature is below freezing, and it hasn't been above freezing). Cross country skiing is a great excuse to capture this beautiful winter day. Here's looking up at the bright blue sky! 

Not sure if you can tell, but this is a fairly steep hill ahead. We watched a 70-something couple get up a hill and figured out how to dig in and do the opposite of "pizza". 

Our halfway point. Ryan yelled "Bear Run" just like he yelled "Stella" on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. I smiled and figured our chances of seeing any wildlife now were slim to none :) 

 Still no falls for Ryan yet, YAY.

Action shot. My fall count at this point is 4! 

Almost done, time for one last huge uphill. The skis are about to come off again. 

This is for Lindsay :) 

Our lunch spot. We've been getting around via the free Mountain Road shuttle, but today we checked out a Mercedes from the hotel for 2 hours to "test drive" our way to lunch. 

Fall Tally:

Ryan 2

Jill 5

How many times we took off our skis to get up a hill:

Ryan 0

Jill 2

Jan 26-29 Stowe, Vermont

Jan 26-29, 2014

Ryan and I traveled to Stowe, Vermont for an emergency medicine conference and to check out east coast skiing. We have been amazed at the small town feel, lack of commercialization and friendliness of the locals.

View of the mountain from our room at Stowe Mountain Lodge after we awoke our first morning. On the first day of skiing the slopes were very cold and windy. The second day was even colder, about 6 degrees, but less windy and the sun came out to play. 

Here is the same view with a little cloud on top. Stowe Resort is home to three peaks, the highest is Mt. Mansfield at 4395 ft. It is the highest point in Vermont.

Jan 22 How Old Am I?

Jan 22, 2014

Thank you to my family for a nice visit, all the hospitality, good company and good food. Aunt Cindy thanks for the 'do! On the road back to Ohio again…while driving I happened to pass by an SUV with two kayaks on top pulling a trailer on I-75. It brought a smile to my face and all those fond memories of our road trip came flooding back.

How old am I? Not too old for my mom to display my artwork on her refrigerator! 

Jan 21 Paint Creek Trail

Jan 21, 2014

Even though it is only 6 degrees out today, the sun is shining gloriously and it's all the motivation I needed to get outside. I tried to convince my mom to join me on a cross country ski, but I knew that wouldn't happen so I ventured out the Paint Creek Trail in Rochester on my own with strict instructions to call her when I got to the trailhead and when I got back in the car. I got 6 miles in and a quick stop at a local cider mill.

I ventured off the trail to the creek bed.  

Snow covered landscape. 

On the way back I was truckin' it and working up a good sweat, the sun was shining in my face, I was thinking how thankful I was for the sunshine and my health to get out here and do this today when a deer hopped across the trail about 10 feet in front of me, white tail flopping and everything! As it got to the other side of the trail, it stopped, and looked back at me. The two of us had a staring contest for about 1 minute and then it hopped off on its way. It was so simple yet so magical. I am beginning to feel my spirit restored.

Jan 20 Matthaei Botanical Garden

Jan 20, 2014

Leah, Cecilia and I took a mini road trip to Ann Arbor to check out the Matthaei Botanical Garden on the campus of University of Michigan. There is nothing like a plant filled humid conservatory to help you ignore the fact it is 20 degrees, cloudy and snowy out.

 Ceci was very intrigued by the fish and getting her hands wet.

 Even more exciting... a second fish pond.

Just a few of tropical flowers on display. 

The sun even came out for about 5-10 minutes, warmed us up and we pretended we were in Florida. What a nice morning excursion! 

Ceci being a "lap cat," we read a couple books and watched penguin you tube videos to wind down before nap time.

There is nothing like having a toddler around to brighten up your day. We danced while shopping at Papa Joe's. Later she put on a swim diaper over her clothes and said she wanted to swim, so Zac, Leah, Ceci and I ran around the house practicing our swim strokes and giggling.

Jan 19 Olivia's 17th Birthday

Jan 19, 2014

On this day 17 years ago this sweet little one was born when I was 17 years old. My Aunt Cindy asked me, while she was still pregnant, if I would be her new child's godmother. I felt honored and of course accepted the responsibility, whatever that was. In my mind, I took this title as a way to keep a special relationship with one of my cousins, spoil her a bit and take her on all sorts of adventures. Over the years we went to cider mills, had ice cream dates, hiked nature trails, traveled to see our grandparents, went to numerous parks, attended parades, had sleepovers, took several trips to Henry Ford Museum, Detroit and Columbus Zoos and Tigers baseball games, we went to Greektown, took the people mover around Detroit, went to the Detroit Institute of Art, she has visited me on Ohio, we've had Panera and Ocean Breeze lunch dates and of course this year she joined Ryan and I out west for 2 weeks. It is truly amazing how quickly time goes by…

Card game of 31 after a delicious dinner. Em was the winner! 

17 years we have sat in this kitchen for birthday pics! 

This year's birthday crew. 

Mother and daughter birthday girls sharing a laugh :)

Jan 5-7 Until Next Time

Jan 5-7, 2013

After a week of food, family, visits with Nana and Boppa, its nearly over and time to get back to reality. Do we really have to go home?

Much of the extra 30 feet of ice has receded, leaving some ice islands near shore.

Sunrise on Jan 6.

Footie pajamas, playing with your sister on the floor. Priceless.

After everyone left, Ryan and I took on a massive cleanup and some last minute projects. Sunrise on our last day, how I will miss this view!

Until next time…back to Ohio.

Jan 4 Cave Point and Sledding

Jan 4, 2014

After we got back from snowmobiling the wind picked up dramatically and overnight created another 30 feet of ice on the shore.

The waves pounded all day on Jan 4, creating keyholes, arches, blowholes and then destroying them.

In the process of digging the cars out from drifted snow, the crew created a snowman mascot.

We took a mini trip about 10 miles north to explore Cave Point County Park.

Cave Point is lined with limestone cliffs that are carved by the lake. Its as pretty in winter as it is in summer.

Mady and I.

Kevin, Lindsay and Mady sitting on the edge enjoying the view.

Monkeys in the tree.

Ryan relaxing, about 1 minute later a huge wave rolled in, he jumped up in time but Kevin was not so lucky. Just glad he didn't get washed in the freezing lake.

Later on outside our back door, I think the adults enjoyed sledding even more than the kids.

The San Diego Cantzlers. Julia, Isla, Chris and Coraline.

Lindsay getting some air.

Isla braved sledding down the big hill on her own.

Isla about to 'sled bomb' the end of Sean's run.

Classic Kevin. Hours of fun in our own backyard!

Jan 2-3 Exploring the Winter Beach and Snowmobiling

Jan 2-3, 2014

I am not sure yet if the summer sun is as beautiful over Lake Michigan, but these winter blues are stunning.

Sunrise on Jan 2.

Sunset pink sky on Jan 2.

I was trying to catch up with Ryan on a winter beach walk and fell in the snow to my knees at this spot.  Its pretty from down here.

The beach is a little wider now with ice.

We are only missing our Olivia!

Courtesy of my sister Leah, tonight was filled with hours of laughs playing Cards Against Humanity after the kiddies went to bed. Its a vulgar, wrong on so many levels, but hilariously entertaining version of Apples to Apples.

Good morning on Jan 3. The fog rolling across the lake and warm colors is beautiful today.

Time for a little snowmobiling.

We are bundled up and ready to go.

Brayden and Mady.

We warmed up with some hot chocolate at a local pub along the Ahnapee State Trail.

Uh oh, three sleds are sideways, no worries soon we were out and back on the trail. 40+ miles over 4 hours. Thanks Ryan for a fun day exploring southern Door County.