let's walk up a hill with skis on.

that's pretty much what cross country skiing is... walking up a hill with skis on. & poles too.  it was so much fun!  a really good workout but a lot of fun.

i mentioned yesterday that i don't like skiing.  being that i have skied enough times & am 27 years old, i feel i get to make that decision.  i don't ski.  but i hadn't been cross country skiing, so i can't say i don't like it, so i decided to try.

the cold feet problem becomes much much less of a problem because you are sweating.  serious sweating from a serious workout.  problem solved!

{note how few clothes we are wearing on the mountain.

they are all in the backpacks.}

& really, the most fun comes in the laughing.  not a professional cross country skier?  then you look very funny.  the turning & stopping functions aren't quite as easy as on the other kind of skis {well...if you are a skier.}  we laughed up & down that mountain.  it was awesome.

{by no means were dave & lisa the only ones who fell.

i'm pretty sure i maxed out on the falling.

but i was the one with the camera :) }

oh, & it was absolutely gorgeous.  the snow & mountains & aspen trees & blue sky.  simply beautiful...

& the very best part about cross country skiing?  the amazing restaurant at the top of the mountain.  this meal was one of my favorites of the trip.  it might have been because it was the only meal i actually worked up an appetite before, but it really was delicious in its own right too.

{yes, those are academy awards on top of the bar!

the guy who owns it won them for his documentaries.

at least that is the story i was given.}

{the amazing smoked salmon appetizer platter.

i could eat this every day.}

{& the amazing view from our two hour meal.}

so completely stuffed & happy, we headed back down the mountain.  laughing even more than before.

as it turns out, cross country skiing i do.  once a trip.  when a really really really good meal is involved.

more about all of the aspen food on friday, of course.

love love,

kjp.