First Ski of the Season

Well it is December 12 and we just had our first x-c ski of the season...yippee!!
There is two feet of snow in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the trees are
covered with the snow from this week. The trail we skied was groomed( tracked) to perfection and the whole time we skied we only passed two people in 90 minutes! So nice without the after Christmas numbers.

We also took the snowmobiles out for a run of about 30 miles. The weather was so nice about 20 degrees and no wind and the snow was pretty fresh on the trails. There were a few trails that need more snow but we were just happy they are open and usable. For the most part they are ready to go. We let a few groups of about 6 pass us as they sped off at 50 MPH as it was a Saturday prime time trail time. We know to just stop and let 'em go as we are never in a rush just out for the fresh air and fun. It is fun to crank it up every once in awhile when the trail is open and clear ahead but usually 30mph is fine with me( for a bit of fast fun). We stopped to take a few pictures but wouldn't you know those two groups of 6 passed us right then and two sleds actually had to drive between tow of our parked sleds as could not slow down fast enough to stay on the trail to the other side- Foolish and dangerous! This is why we choose less busy trails at less busy times. Plus we only snowmobile during the day as safer and prettier!!Why miss the scenery.

It is not very busy up in the UP yet perhaps after Christmas is when most people make their way up here for winter fun. That is fine with us. It is never very crowded. We are getting spoiled- for sure!

Oh one funny local thing to add. I picked up a local paper at the gas station. It is called the Mining Journal and I think is published in Marquette although has news for all the UP. The back page was a fun page of Christmas tree prints with only one store name as a sponsor. I said to Dave- "Wow Ben Franklin must spend a lot of money on advertising to take a whole page with Christmas decorations and no real ad info??" Then i looked on the bottom of the page and it said:"This wrapping paper courtesy of B...F...." . HA!- they must save the last page of this local newspaper for wrapping paper designs in December. How unique is that? Not only is it making the paper "people recyclable" but also its fun!! Love ...love...love... local stores in small towns!!

Well gotta go....Have a nice Christmas holiday!!