TOM

Everyone having a good time today?

"You bet!" declares happy Jack.
"You asked, I'l ANSWER! Woo, YES!!!!" woos talkative Rudy.

I like to talk about what good listeners and partners Jack & Rudy are out on the trails. While that is true 99% of the time, there is an exception. We have one particular trail where it took me extra long to get situated and started once (I was having trouble getting the GoPro to turn on). Well, the extended delay at the start led to Jack & Rudy breaking out in a wrestle session on the trail waiting for me. Now, every time we come to this particular trailhead, they wrestle at the start no matter how fast I am at getting the skis on and starting. Oh those silly kids, this has become their "tag, tackle, wrestle and then go" trailhead. Seriously, we've started at this location at least 8, maybe 10, times since I took too long but it is now the same every start:

The "tag, tackle and wrestle" trailhead.
Well, at least they are consistent... 

Look at all that untouched snow on the trail in front of us in the prior photo. But, no, instead of are usual picture perfect start, we had tag, tackle and wrestle.  I proceeded to separate the two goofballs and conduct a Team Organization Meeting (TOM) about the principles of skijoring. "Uh-huh, Uh-huh!" they both said and then started tag/tackle/wrestle again as soon as I released the. Well, 3 TOMs later and finally, we started skijoring :)

Finally we are off laying fresh tracks in the
morning's fresh snow!

Once we get going, the kids are all business. We proceeded to lay fresh tracks for miles & miles before deciding to drop into the trails at Gold Run Nordic Center. But, before connecting onto the groomed trails, we had to take a mini break for conjoined snow angels!

Which legs are Jack's? Which legs are Rudy's?
Your guess is as good as mine :)

Once on the trails of Gold Run and we found ourselves being first tracks on the newly groomed trail. Zoom!

Flying, literally flying on the groomie zoomie!

Come along for the video counterpart of the prior photo. Hang on as we top 25 MPH skijoring this fast & fun groomed trail. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Back to the trailhead and Zorro is offering me his support & help:

"I'll have a TOM with them later and provide a skijoring
refresher!" Zorro advises me.
"Who? Us?" adds the 'so innocent looking' goofball kids.

Once we got over the initial Team Organization Meetings, it was a super fun day laying fresh tracks and then being first tracks: 8.7 miles traveled with 650 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 25 MPH.

2020/2021 Season to Date: 115 days on the trails covering 942.3 miles with 80,100 feet of elevation climbed.