We spent the better part of the holidays visiting friends and family. It was definitely time well spent but it also meant that we had to do a fair bit of driving in some less than ideal conditions. Luckily we had four new winter tires and four new iPod Touches to help see us through the ice and snow. Thank you Santa.
Every year I load the van with our skis alongside the Christmas presents and extra layers of winter clothing. This year my intention was to revisit the trails in the Kawarthas, trails I haven't skied in 15 years, but once again the weather took a turn for the worst. Rain, rain, and freezing rain kept the skis buried in the van until we returned to Ottawa where we were welcomed with a fresh snowfall making for a winter wonderland.
After a day of rest and tidying up in Ottawa we again hopped back in the van, this time to visit our friends in Burnstown. The deciding factor that convinced me to get back behind the wheel was the lure of some adults only skiing on the local Burnstown trails. It was a great plan. The bough breaking blanket of snow on the trees made for some spectacular winter scenery. After about an hour and a half, we returned to base camp where the kids quickly jumped on their toboggans and zoomed down the hills for the remainder of the afternoon.
Finally just before returning to work and school we managed to squeeze in another family ski on the nearby Greenbelt trails. Though not professionally groomed like the Gatineau trails they are respected by the local hikers and snowshoers and left relatively intact. We had just received a few centimetres of snow the night before so everything was still fluffy fresh with many of the trails still waiting to be broken. It was a great family outing to end the holidays.
Lastly, I leave you all with a photo of our wee friend Maddie and her most awesome sleeping cap. I already have plans to make one for my Gatineau ski adventures. I'm hoping it will help me ski fast fast like a bunny. ;)
