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March 10, 2006
Back from the Arctic
So, I returned from Maine on Monday and have been way too overwhelmed with work and what not to make it over to my blog! The trip was freaking FANTASTIC! As much as all of you might hate me for saying so... it made me wish winter would last a little bit longer so I could engage in more snowy fun :)
I picked up Heather in Boston on Friday and we headed up to the great white north, aka Dedham, Maine, to see my awesome uncle and aunt for the weekend. Upon arrival, we were greeted with an amazing lobster dinner *droool* and some yummy coffee brandy drinks as well as great conversation. I love my family - they rock my socks every time we get together.
Heather is so happy to be back in the car! We're on our way to slide around on long planks strapped to our boots!
Saturday we headed up to A Fierce Chase in Monson for a cross country skiing lesson and some fun out on the trails. I AM HOOKED! Ok, I kind of sucked at it at first, but I love me a challenge - I adore the fact that there is room for improvement here.
Andy and Missy looking like pros.
I did pretty okay actually, except for going down hills.... umm... that scared the bejeezus out of me. But, I got a little more comfortable by the end! We had a great instructor who was very patient and after a short break after the lesson, we were back out on the trails! I am totally proud of all of us - it's quite a demanding activity and we kicked some serious arse. And it kicked mine in return... sooooooo sooooooore. Lucky for me, I love being sore - it makes me feel like I've accomplished something!
Wooooo! We can skiiiiiii!
The next day, we were back on the road - this time heading to Baxter State Park where we hit the Appalachian Trail in snowshoes - with Katahdin providing an amazing backdrop on a gorgeous day.
My purpley snowshoes in their natural habitat.
I am buying me some snowshoes, friends. I'm gonna keep 'em in the back of my car in the winter so I can hop out into the woods whenever I feel like it. There is something very freeing about walking around on a ton of snow in these puppies! It reminded me that just because all of my favorite trails are covered with snow in the winter, I can still hike on them if I feel like it!
Rowr! Watch out Baxter State Park! Here comes Snowbunny Sarah!
We hit the trail.
We headed off the AT and forged a new trail ourselves along the Penobscot River. It was beautiful. Pictures really don't do the experience justice. You'll all just have to go out and do this yourselves to get what I'm freaking out about!
I just love them.
We had PB&J breaks and a few sips of blackberry brandy just for kicks. :) We came home tired but so happy!
Ummm... I SWIM in that! Whoa.
Monday morning before Heather and I climbed back in the car, Andy took us out for a walk on TOP of the lake! ACK! There's some scary shiznit. Did you know that lakes make reeeeally weird noises in the winter? It's true. Gurgle gurgle rumble gurgle crack. CRACK.
Andy takes this big pole with a metal edge out on the lake and smacks the ice in front of him as he walks to make sure he's all safe and sound. Or he smashes it into the ice to make a hole and scare the crap out of us.
The ice freezes up and pushes even the biggest rocks around as it pleases.
It was an incredible feeling and I will surely never look at my favorite body of water in the world the same way again. As we were walking around, a giganto bald eagle swooped down over our heads from a nearby tree and totally took my breath away. It was really something. Sigh.
The weekend was everything I had hoped it would be. Relaxing, challenging, funny and tasty. I got a chance to hang with my aunt and uncle (which I don't get to do nearly enough) and got some serious bonding time in with my Bostonian sister.
Here's one for you Heather:
DIDN'T YOU EVEN KNOOOW THAT WE BONDED? DIDN'T YOU EVEN KNOW THAT???
Gotta love inside jokes. It's like totally what you have sisters for... um, didn't you even know that?
Since I got back, I've been super active because I don't want to stop being sore. I really want my ass to perk back up to where it used to be in it's glory days. It's gonna happen. I swear to God. You just wait and see.
Hungry for more icy photos? Take a peek at my photo album here and while you're at it, check out Heather's right here!
Posted by Sarah at March 10, 2006 6:53 PM
Posted to getting trippy
Comments
Looks like a blast!
Posted by: Gina at March 11, 2006 12:54 PM
wow! that looks like the most fun ever! i'm all for a healthy love of snow. thanks for the great pics :)
Posted by: tatjana at March 11, 2006 4:38 PM
Didn't you even KNOW that a Moosel with butterfly wings would be, like, the best Wuzzle EVER???
Jeeeez...
:) Hooray for snowy fun!!!!
Posted by: Heather at March 11, 2006 7:07 PM
Looks like so much fun! Ahh inside sister jokes - I Love em - my sisters and I have a ton and we'll never stop annoying people with em!
Posted by: Marie at March 13, 2006 2:53 PM