For Z

Today's skijor was in honor of and for Zorro.

Jack & Rudy hovering over the trail. Just like Zorro taught us!!!

Our beloved elder and lifelong mentor, Zorro, passed away on Friday, May 20. We have been sad and crying since. We all miss the wonderful guy SO much...

On Friday, I was telling myself I'd never skijor again. How could I possibly go to a trail without Zorro? Then, the logical and emotional sides of my brain started arguing. On Saturday I realized I would skijor again with Jack & Rudy but certainly not this season. 

Meanwhile, a late season winter storm swooped over Colorado and dropped fresh snow all over the mountains Friday and Saturday. Late Saturday, the logical side of my brain started telling me to think about what Zorro would want. Zorro had a pure LOVE of snow and absolute passion for skijoring. Zorro's lifelong actions exemplified his motto: "I love snow, summer is useless (unless you are hiking to snow leftover from winter)."

With fresh snow Friday and Saturday, I finally realized it would be a disservice to Zorro's memory and lifelong passions to not be on magical late season new snow. Zorro lived for these types of late season storms. So, logic finally won out and Jack, Rudy and I skijored Walton Peak at Rabbit Ears Pass this morning in honor and memory of wonderful, wonderful Zorro.

What happened? Well, we had a super fun late season outing. We were not out too long as temperatures were rising and the terrain was softening. But, come along for a video glimpse into one stretch of perfect conditions on May 22nd!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

I did learn two new things on this morning's skijor. First, I can skijor behind talented Jack & Rudy with tears in my eyes and blurred vision. Good thing the kids are so perfect on the trails :)  Second, I can hand out 'end of run' treats with tears rolling down my cheek. Two things I never thought I'd need to learn...

In honor of Zorro we skijor and celebrate running on snow!

I want to conclude today's blog post with a fitting skijoring tribute to Zorro Below I have included a collection of memorable photos from skijoring with wonderful Zorro and added what Zorro would have been saying in each photo.

"Max & I - the original skijoring hover huskies - wheeee!!!"

[After Max passed and before Jack matured to join]
"Might as well 'fly by myself' towing dad around :)"

"Ok kids, let me show you how it's done..."
The "hover husky trio" taught by Zorro to Jack & Rudy.

"I have LOVED this since the day we started skijoring.
Big bro Max is SOOO fun!!!"

[After Max passed and before Jack matured to join]
"I can still have fun even with just slow old dad :)"

[Zorro's 11th birthday skijor outing]
"Hmmm, the kids look like I wore them out - hehe!"

"Hang on dad, wait until you see what I taught Jack & Rudy."
Triple sled dog skijoring was a fast, fun & wild ride!!!

"'End of run' treats have always got our attention!"

"Get in line kids - time for 'end of run' treats but remember
I ALWAYS go first!!!"

Today's outing: 5.7 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 155 days on the trails covering 1293.1 miles with 121,200 feet of elevation climbed.

For Zorro: we miss you more than words can express. You taught us everything we know, have fun rejoining Max over the rainbow bridge. Gone but NEVER forgotten.