From the West Coast

 

  Grandpa Frank got out to California for a visit with Matt, Jenica and the kids.  If I didn't know better, I'd say he photo shopped a picture of Matt in the shot from the beach with Cali.

Old Guys

 

    Bunch of guys who all turned 70 last year.  Not sure what year this is from.

  One of them wrote a book and dropped my name.

Up North

 

  

  One place that has gotten both snow and cold this winter is Tug Hill.  Gail advocated for a trip organized by the Cayuga Ski Club which was an excellent plan.  The drive up was an adventure in itself that started in heavy rain and switched to heavy snow by the time we got to the Thruway and missed an exit.  We made it to Boonville, and it resulted in fresh, deep snow to ski in Saturday and Sunday.  There was also a chance to hang out with many fellow club members at the hotel and in the warming hut at BREIA.

  Single digits Saturday, well below zero Sunday, kept us in the woods as much as possible.  We were able to keep warm and enjoyed excellent conditions.

  Every once in a while, you have to repeat that line from Blazing Saddles, "Excuse me while I whip this out."  Well, you don't, but I still do it.

  While most of the trails were groomed before the Friday snowfall, it was still good to get a chance to break trail in fresh snow.

  This is Gail's "I just saw a moose" look.  We didn't see it long though.  Despite the extreme depth of the snow, it ran fast and far and was quickly out of sight.

  Thanks to the towpath along the old Black River Canal, I was able to ski off Tug Hill and into Boonville to get back to the hotel.  And thanks to a clear cut for power lines carrying Canadian electrons, we got a view of the Adirondacks 20 miles to the east.

  Here's looking at you.

Local Winter Action

 

  It's been cold enough in town for some decent ice buildup.  On my way to skate at the reservoir, I considered skating down Bridal Falls but thought better of it.  And I've been stopping at Ithaca Falls a few times a week on my walk to work.  Lots of people skated on the Inlet, but I never made it down there while the ice was good.

  After the ice formed, we had a nice snow squall, but it just wasn't enough to do any creek skiing.

  The day I set this bridge up, the ankle-deep water was flowing fast.  I was optimistic I'd be skiing over it soon, but it took a month before I got the chance, and then went around.

   There has been consistent skiing in Caroline, but with the drive involved, that's been limited to weekends.  Somehow, I missed the chance to clear all those logs on this trail, but glad Connie and Andy got out to do it and to ski with them.

  Andy and I made it over to the Summerland Preserve where the wind never stops.

  Well...