Outdoors in the majestic mountains

After all the wind and snow that manufactured itself just for Star Mt. we have had picture perfect last few days. We have taken full advantage and been skiing up on the mountain, snowshoeing in our woods, and cross country skiing in CB. Breathtaking crystal clear blue skies and sparkly snow and reasonable temps -single digits at night and high 20's daytime. Really, that's great for here - last year at this time it was -20 every night.  Single digits at night and high 20's daytime. So of course, I start to worry about losing our great snowpack situation in the area, and when is the next good snowfall happening,  but, I have promised myself to just leave it alone - as if we can do anything about the weather.

We can however have our driveway widened back out after wind and wind and wind nearly blew it shut. New sport for Mark - driveway snow hill climbing...

Most around here get out and about doing some kind of activity, otherwise you'll go stir crazy. Our drive up the Taylor saw a few at the hog trough fishing in the frigid water, and some ice hut fisherman at the reservoir. No, Mark has not tried that yet and you won't catch me either - all I can think of is the Grumpy Old Men movie.

The first skiing up the mountain was actually good for me (remember I'm the nervous nellie downhill skier now) so definitely will be back up. Amazing mountain, no lift lines anywhere...Some unknown artist has wonderful ice sculptures all around the square, interesting  the impermanence of it. All that work and it will be gone come sometime in March.

I shake my head over all the equipment we have - snowshoes, poles, boots, downhill - boots, poles, skis, and yet another set of skis, poles, boots for cross country. CRAZY. Summer requires so little...

Elk out and about on our way home

Lunch at the new Coal Creek Grill in the Forest Queen Hotel after cross country. It was very good, a little southwestern flair and game meats - open breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't know the full story of how Paradise Cafe is out or if the owner will reemerge elsewhere, but now a couple from Alaska are running the hotel and opened the new restaurant last Nov. Continuous change around here, hard to keep up.