Twisp of Fate

About 4 acres of our property are part of a larger alfalfa field, farmed by the neighbors up above us on the other side of the road.  This year, a group of folks on our road, who are interested in cross-country skiing, got permission to establish a ski track around the perimeter of the field.  About 2 weeks ago I went out and snowshoed around 3 times (over 2 days) to establish the route – that was a workout, let me tell you.  Then some of the neighbors went over it with their snowmobiles to widen and pack it down.  I skiied on the snowmobile tracks last week, and it was pretty good, despite the big thaw that had come along.  Still enough snow on the field!

Next step was the arrival of the tracking sled.  One of the neighbors up the road had this made by a young man who works down at Mission Ridge ski area above Wenatchee.  It is a small sled with 2 skis on it, meant to be towed behind the snowmobile to set a ski track.  Our neighbor Mike went around with it on Monday.  The snow is pretty crusty and icy by now, but this did establish enough of a track to make the skiing easier.

Rick and I went out for a couple of laps this morning.  We estimate it is about 2 miles around, and of course it runs right by our place on the other side of the creek, so what could be more convenient?  It was still cold (16°, brrr…) but clear and beautiful.

Alfalfa Loop, looking west

And here we were out in the sun, looking up our little creek valley to the east:

Alfalfa Loop, looking east