Saturday Skiing Style. . .

The Grand Duchess and Young Master clown for the camera mid-ski this afternoon.

Following The Young Master's usual late Saturday morning and midday Tae Kwan Do training online, the three of us had a quick lunch, and then suited up for some family cross-country skiing. We've been lucky the lest several weeks and have managed to hit the trails often, sometimes daily for at least an hour or so, either separately, in pairs, or as a family.

Today was no different, and conditions were ideal once again. Silky groomed trails, slippery "just glide waxed" skis, temperatures in the mid-20s Fahrenheit, mostly sunny, and quite a few families with children or teenagers skiing classic diagonal style as well as others employing the more physically demanding skate skiing technique.

Many people in Michigan know how to enjoy the winter. The parking lot of our local ski area was actually full, and everyone we met along the trails was having a delightful time regardless of their skill level. If you'll pardon my use of the term, happiness is contagious.

The three of us finished our afternoon jaunt with mugs of hot cocoa topped by loads of small marshmallows back at home (less than a ten minute drive). A pizza delivery just after 6pm and the second Harry Potter movie on DVD followed before The Young Master's bedtime. As awful as the the last year has been in so may ways, today was a much needed slice of pretty darn good. More winter fun outdoors is planned for tomorrow with tobogganing and additional skiing.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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Classic Style

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