Finally! We were able to get back on real snow! Oh how great it was, to be able to watch snow fall from the sky and collect on the ground again. It had been way too long for sure.
Even though Cindy and I had been down to our local southern Indiana downhill ski hill, Paoli Peaks, twice so far this season, it is all man made snow this season and while it is much better than not getting to play on snow, it just is not the same. After watching the weather we decided to roll the dice and head north to the Grayling Michigan area over the New Year's weekend to do some cross country skiing. They had good snow till 5 days before we left when it warmed up and rained. They had been getting new snow but just not much. Fortunately for us they received 3 fresh inches the night before we got there so we had pretty good conditions waiting on us.
We left our lodge on the hill at the very ungentlemanly time of 5 am. to head north. Cindy is like the best traveling companion ever. She never complains, always lets me pick the radio station, never says anythign about my driving, and pretty much is good with whatever I want to do. The fact that she spends most of the car trips like this probably has something to do with it
We had a uneventful drive even though conditions started out a bit icey in places. Luckily what few accidents we encountered were either old enough they had been cleared or fresh enough that the wrecker had not arrived yet. I really thought we were going to make it Higgins Lake with only one stop as Cindy was snoozing away and we had enough fuel. But with about 20 mins to go Cindy woke up, looked around, saw snow, and said she was thirsty. So one more quick stop for drinks and snacks before we arrived at the Northwinds Lodge.
We quickly checked into our room and changed into our ski clothes then ran next door to XC Ski Headquarters to get in a quick lap or two before it got dark. We were both surprised at how many cars were in the parking lot when we pulled in. A lot of people must have had the day off for New Years. Lucky bums.
We wasted no time and were on the snow as soon as we got our trail passes. It was good that they had received the new snow as you could tell it was icey under the new snow. The skiing was good and once we passed the Trapper's cabin it was like we had the trail to ourselves. Our friends Jerry and Amy were a couple of hours behind us and arrived at ski Headquarters just as we finished our first lap so we headed back across the road to meet up with them and grab a quick bit to eat.
There is just something so refreshing about being around others who like snow as much as you do. Everyone that was there was there because they wanted to be out in the snow playing, just like us. I got our lunch while Cindy shopped a bit then we people watched as we enjoyed our grilled cheese sandwiches and chips.
After our snack we headed back out to hit the Rolling Hills trail and then stopped at the Trapper's Cabin to enjoy a warm cup or two, of spiced wine by the fire.
My sweater looks like I have one large man boob for some strange reason LOL! After we warmed up a bit we made one more lap on the big trail and finished up just as the last few lumens of daylight faded to black. We met up with Jerry and Amy in the Stone Turle Cafe and made plans for dinner with them before headed back to our rooms.
We were all staying at the Northwinds Lodge ran by Jim Tucker. Jim is a nice as they come and he keeps a very clean and neat hotel. He always turns the heat up for us before we arrive so our room is nice and toasty when we get there. He did the same for Jerry and Amy so I was surprised when they said at dinner their room was freezing when they got there. We all enjoyed a great dinner at the Stream Side Restaurant just down the road from the lodge. You just can't beat the North Winds lodge for location, price, or hospitality as it is conveniently located between food and skiing!
Back at the room after dinner I received an alert on my phone for a winter weather advisory for the area as lake effect snow was going to develop after midnight with 1-3 inches forcasted. You know who was up every hour or so looking outside to see if it had started and how much we had gotten so far. It start between 12 and 1 am and by 6 am we had gotten 2 inches at the lodge.
I tried to let Cindy sleep as long as I could but the kid in me was dying to get outside and start playing in the snow. I finally could not hold back any longer and woke my little lady up. I am pretty sure she could tell by my voice that it had snowed before I even shared the wonderful news with her. I am also pretty sure she knew I was up about a dozen times in the night looking out the window.
While I was outside getting Pearl ready to roll Jim came over and shared his concern with me that he might have messed up and given Jerry and Amy the wrong room key. He told me he had turned the heat on in H but the blinds were still open there and he could see that there was no one in there. Then he noticed that they had parked in front of J. I started laughing and told him how it all made sense now after Jerry saying their room was freezing. Jim felt awful about it and asked how they took jokes. I assured him that since they hung out with us I was pretty sure they would see the humor in it. Plus this might have been a good way to promote cuddling all night long for the two of them LOL!
Cindy and I headed off to Fred's Place in Roscommon for the weekend breakfast buffet. Let me just say that if your ever in the area, you have to get the breakfast buffet. The bacon is to die for and the cinnamon french toast is supper yummy. Needless to say, we both ate too much, but it was soooo goood.
After stuffing ourselves at Fred's it was time to get serious and hit the trails. We headed north about 20 miles to Hartick Pines State Park and the closer we got the more snow we could see they had gotten overnight. By the time we got to the park there was 5 to 6 inches of new snow on top of what they already had and it was oh sooo beautiful!
Can we say winter wonder land??? This was why we drove 7 hours north and the lake effect did not disappoint!
We were only the third vehicle there when we pulled in and parked. A couple who was snow shoeing stop and wait on us to go ahead of them on the trail which was super nice of them. As we passed Cindy told them we had driven up from southern Indiana just to ski and they asked where. After telling them we were from Seymour they told us they were from Greenwood which is about a hour north of us. They drove all the way there just to snow show. People think I am crazy LOL!
We got on the trail as quickly as we could not wanting to miss a minute of this awesome snow. One other person had been out on skis ahead of us but they turned left onto the main trail where as we went right. That meant that one of us was going to be breaking the trail. I was more than glad to make my tracks in the virgin snow. Genius me never thought that they would have enough snow that I would have needed my leg gators but I was I was wishing I had them with me instead of leaving them back in my ski bag in the room. Lesson learned.
As you can see the snow stacked up onto my boots as I broke trail for Cindy. So glad I had my sock liners on as more snow than I would have liked wound up in my ski boots and although my socks were wet my feet were still warm.
The scenery was just beautiful in the woods
Luckily the wind that brought the lake effect snow had died down to almost nothing so it was very comfortable skiing temps. In fact I ditched my sweater shortly after we started and spent the rest of the day skiing in just my dry fit shirt.
We skied about 6 miles there at Hartwick Pines breaking trail for about 4 1/2 miles of that so it was a good thing we had that extra plate of bacon at breakfast ;-)
As the it got closer to noon the wind started blowing which made the snow on the trees fall off. At times it was near white out type conditions on the trail. Can you see Cindy on the trail in the picture below?
Neither can I but she is in there somewhere. Had I taken this pic a few seconds earlier the visibility was so bad you cold not see the first tree on the left side of the pic. The other downside to the wind was large clumps of snow were now falling off the limbs above us. I took a big hit to the head here.
That was chilly. But the great thing about cross country skiing is that as long as you keep moving your body is generating heat so you can keep warm. If you start to cool off, just ski faster!
From Hartwick Pines we headed southeast to the Mason Tract Trail. this is one of my favorite trails up in that area as it is just so intimate and scenic. It runs along the Ausable river from the bridge on Chase Bridge road to M-72. We have skied on the west part of it twice, both times turning back before we reached the end. Once due to cold and running out of time, the other due to warming snow sticking to our skis. While it is not the type of trail where you are going to set speed records, it is a challenging trail due to the varying terrain. But all that aside, it is just a beautiful trail to ski with fresh snow slinging to the trees.
The Ausable river is widely known as a excellent trout river and it looks like a fisherman's dream just standing next to it. Maybe someday we can make it back up in and fish parts of it.
With the snow sticking to our skis we elected to head back to the car and do a little antiquing in Grayling. On our way Amy invited us to join them at the Paddlehard Brewing Company for snacks and a beverage. Drinks won out over antiques so off we went. We had a nice visit to the brewpub and enjoyed some cold beverages.
Being the party animals that we are we finished off 2016 back at Fred's place with Jerry and Amy. All I can say is that Fred's does an awesome business as they are always crowded for dinner. The food was all very good and we all retired to our rooms well before midnight. Needless to say I failed to wake up to ring in the new year as I was out like a light once my head hit the pillow. I think we were going to watch a little tv but someone forgot to tell my body that.
Sadly we woke up early and headed south back to Indiana with thoughts of hitting some antique shops in Allen MI on the way back. Being New Year's day several of the ones we wanted to visit were not open but we persevered on and found one open in Auburn IN and in Markle IN.
After stopping at REI in Indy to get Cindy some new hiking shoes for our upcoming trip to the Rockies this summer we finally pulled in our driveway about dark. Knowing the boys were not going to be happy with us for going off and leaving them behind we got them junior back cheeseburgers from Wendy's to help smooth things over.
In just a few seconds all was well again and I doubt they even remembered we had left.
As we unpacked our gear we talked about when our next trip north was going to be and where we were going this time. While it is only 3 weeks away I am not sure I can hang on that long. Just knowing that they have awesome snow conditions up north is almost more than I can bare. Hopefully the lake effect continues and they have lots of powder when we arrive!
It was another awesome ski trip to Michigan with my bestie. I cant wait till we load up and head north again!!!
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