They Get It

The early bird gets.... First Tracks!!!

First tracks on a beautiful stretch of freshly groomed trail!

We got out on the trails yesterday morning just after sunrise and what a treat we found. The groomer had just finished running on the upper elevation trails at Breckenridge Nordic Center and we were FIRST TRACKS on the freshly groomed terrain. While the ground is starting to show through the snow here & there, we also found some excellent, long stretches of perfect snow cover. Here is photo of one such perfect stretch:

Snow poofs flying off Jack & Rudy's feet as we zip along
the fresh groomie zoomie trail!

For one section, though, we were second tracks on the trail. Who was before us? A moose!!! You talk about adding a little extra juice to the skijor machine (Jack & Rudy), well try putting some fresh moose tracks on the trail and feel them pick it up another notch!

Two-toed moose print in the lower left of this photo with a line of prints
extending up the middle of the trail. The tracks diid not go unnoticed to
Jack & Rudy, of course, and they had me whipping around the trail in
pursuit of moose. Luckily we never came upon the beast and eventually
the tracks went off into the forest.

Today's video highlight may be one of my most proud as it really demonstrates that Jack & Rudy "get it" and perfectly understand the concept of snow, skis and keeping the human upright!

The video starts with us flying along a nice stretch of trail. Then, about 15 seconds into the clip, we come around a corner and see a large swath of exposed ground ahead. Watch as Jack & Rudy start slowing due to the exposed ground before I even have a chance to call out "easy" (to slow us down). I then see a strip of ice I can probably ski over gently. So, I say "over to the right" and Jack & Rudy move with me a proceed slowly and cautiously over the ice. Once past the obstacle and the trail is still a little choppy, so the masters (Jack & Rudy) continue a cautious pace until the trail becomes perfect again. Once perfect and OFF we go! These two really "get it" and probably could have done this whole episode without me saying anything as they were ahead of me in the correct actions through the entire clip. Amazing kids!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

While they are stunningly amazing teammates, they are also hilarious comedians. Yesterday's turnaround antics? Well, snow angels from Jack of course and woos from Rudy this outing :)

"Rolling, rolling, love snow rolling!" goes goofy Jack.
"WOOOOOO!" sums up wooing Rudy :)

Finally,  yesterday's "end of run" treats were very well earned by my perfect partners keeping me upright amidst multiple terrain obstacles.

"Of course we know what we are doing! Love snow, must keep the
human alive to keep going!" declares the happy & smart kids.

Yesterday's tally: 7.9 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH. 

Unfortunately, with a warm & dry week behind us, we are off the trails until the next snowstorm. That is forecast for mid-week, so everyone PRAY FOR SNOW!

2023/2024 Season to Date: 7 days on the trails covering 55.2 miles with 6000 feet of elevation climbed.