Rise and Shine, Lake Tahoe!

Sunday morning, Kelly went off to work early, so I had the morning to myself to poke around before meeting her at the mountain for lunch. I walked down through the towering pines to the public beach. The morning sun was filtering through the boughs above chasing away the frost that had come overnight. The lake was surprisingly calm this morning, and small wind-driven waves lapped gently on the shore. Small cairns have been built nearby using rocks from the lakeshore, and with the morning fog and mountains in the distance, there is a mystical quality to the place. 

Next up, a short hike while the sun still shone. A huge storm system was in the area for the majority of the weekend, and the forecast called for rain. I headed over to the Nevada side of the lake (the eastern side) and found a trailhead high on a hill overlooking Crystal Bay. Here, a gated fire road led uphill to the ridge that ran North-South along the state line. I followed the fire road for a bit before branching off to the right onto a hiking trail that zigzagged through the trees and tall shrubs that dotted the ridge. Despite the presence of snow, I was hiking in a t-shirt. Absolute heaven! And to think it was February!

I took a side path that appeared to have the most direct route to ridge line, and soon came out onto clear section. To the south, the majority of the lake was visible, its blue depths ringed by snow covered mountains. Clouds were already beginning to gather in the west, blown by a steady wind and darkening the sky. After taking in the views, I threw on a layer and retraced my steps back to the car.

Kelly, Niki, and Ania's Day of Fun!

I had 4 full days in Tahoe, and they were jam-packed with all sorts of fun adventures. My first day there, Kelly, Niki, and I had planned what was aptly named: Kelly, Niki, and Ania’s Day of Fun! (Trapper too!) We spent the majority of the day driving all 72 miles around Lake Tahoe with plenty of spontaneous stops along the way to explore. 

Some highlights along the way included:

Hiking Eagle Rock: Kelly & Trapper!

A damp & foggy Emerald Bay: Kelly & Niki. 

Walking the beach and looking for rocks at Galilee.

Hiking around Spooner Junction in the snow.

Westward Ho!

Photo Credit: Kelly Greenwood

Anytime I feel lost, I pull out a map and stare. I stare until I have reminded myself that life is a giant adventure, so much to do, to see. - Angelina Jolie

Winter Wild: Ragged Mountain

Saturday morning, my Dad and I were off to compete in the first of three Winter Wild uphilling events. Uphilling is an event where the individuals ascend and descend a mountain via ski slopes under their own power. There are several categories in which you can choose to compete: open - snowshoes, traction, or running shoes; track skis - cross country skis or skate skis; telemark; and, heavy metal – alpine skis or boards. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. On this day, a runner was the first person to cross the finish line, edging out a telemark skier by a mere 2 seconds.

With less than ideal driving conditions, we pulled into the parking lot 10 minutes before the start. We rushed to pick up our bibs and bundle up before stepping out into the freezing cold. It was in the single digits and very windy. Within minutes of starting, I could feel my fingers beginning to freeze in my light running gloves.

In case, you're wondering just how much fun we had, the entire experience goes something like this: After huffing and puffing, and sweating profusely on the way up, you then have the downhill to look forward to… wind stinging your exposed skin, eyes watering, and the sensation of running down a ski slope with limited depth perception. 

Upon finishing. I headed back inside the lodge and camped out by a large window overlooking the slopes to watch the rest of the finishers, keeping a lookout for my Dad. Luckily, I spotted him trotting downhill in his snowshoes. I hobbled outside to the finish and thankfully, there was a huge smile plastered (or perhaps frozen) on his face.

Later that morning, during the post-race age group awards, my Dad and I both got called up for our respective age categories. My Dad now has a blue pint glass to prove his BAMF status! I think he might be hooked...

Off-season Solitude

I love the beach in wintertime when there's not a soul in sight.

I love the beach when the chunks of ice carried by the water rest haphazardly at the high tide line.

I love the beach when the salty foam stiffens like beaten egg whites, creating whimsical wind-blown shapes.

I love the beach when the sands shift and the dunes bend to the wind.

Bald Mountain Round 2

This past October, my friend, Katie, and I hiked Bald Mountain in Westmore, VT. Unfortunately for us, the weather was not very favorable for a summit with a fire tower with supposed sprawling views.

Looking out from the rickety firetower.

Luckily for me, I headed back up to the Northeast Kingdom with my family for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. My family loves to ski, but due to unseasonably warm weather the trails at Burke Mountain weren't in the greatest shape. So instead of hitting the slopes, I got to share one of my favorite hikes in the area with my Mom.

The cabin at the summit: Cozy!

Looking South: The distant ski slopes of Burke Mountain can be seen in the center.

Looking West from the firetower. 

Starting 2015 off on the right foot!

January 1st, 2015: My friend, Emily, and I met up in Salisbury, MA to run the Winner's Circle Hangover Classic, a New Year's Day race with both a 5k and a 10k route. Needless to say, it was freezing cold and quite windy. I’m sure it didn’t help that the race was held a stone’s throw away from the ocean.

The most memorable part of the day was without a doubt the post-race polar plunge. After the race, we got our towels and multiple warm layers from the car, and then walked out onto the beach. There were quite a few brave souls who decided to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean in January. With the help of our awesome support crew, Emily’s parents, we took off a couple layers and our shoes, and made a beeline for the water. (Prior to the plunge, I did overhear someone saying that the water temperature was 42°F. A wee bit chilly, even by hearty New England standards.)

Yes, the water was shockingly cold. But even colder was the wind that instantly sucked all the warmth out of me. It felt as though my entire body was stinging. The towel crew was soon upon us, and within minutes we were warm and dry, relatively speaking. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the year!