Our story resumes on the second day at Vista Verde Ranch, after an inspiring message and an excellent lunch, our eager young staff members decide to take a detour on the way to cross-country/back-country skiing.
Oh Courteney, you are a silly one. Notice the height at which she had to jump... we had about 4 feet of snow, coming in, with another 6 inches falling over night. (I had the awesome pleasure of sitting in the hot tub on our porch the first night, enjoying the snow falling on my face.)
The Nordic Lodge! The cross-country skiing outfitters! In the center is Steve, with his wife, Kelly, to the right. They were our guides into the back country! Awesome couple!
Courteney and Kellie are so sweet! :)
Chelsea and Abi, getting ready to go!
Me, trying on some boots. Cross-country ski boots are SOOOOO much more comfortable than downhill skiing boots. It's one of the many reasons why I enjoy this activity :)
The ski hooks onto a bar located across the toe of the boot. That's it. The sole and heel of the boot are completely FREE. It took a while to get used to the freedom.
On our way!
Isn't this beautiful!?!?! All aspen and pine trees. We made our own trails through the trees... walking on 4 feet of snow.
Courteney (waitress), Chelsea (wrangler), Abi (cabin girl), Kellie (wrangler), Sarah (waitress), me and Anne (head chef).
Climbing hills are a bit tough, but the bottom of the skiis have ridges in a fish-scale pattern, which help to keep the ski in place as you climb the hills. It's still a bit slippery, however, and I might have fallen once... or twice...
Why would you climb hills on skiis? So you can ski down!!! And for those who downhill ski, using cross-country skiis are VERY DIFFERENT! Not totally different, but different enough that... well...
you may fall.
The two ranch dogs (forgot their names) followed us the whole way. Awesome little fellers.
Speechless.
What can I say? It was a great time of bonding, as we struggled over the hills and slid down them... but my favorite moments have got to be...
Chelsea face planting...
and Abi tumbling down the hills. Oh, what fun!
And after a nice soak in the jacuzzi, what is a retreat without a few jam sessions? Here is Reed (former Lost Valley staff who now works at Vista Verde Ranch) and Hannah (waitress) harmonizing with each other. Beautiful.
Arlene Heard, our speaker's wife, had a nice question and answer session with the girls. Sorry about the awkward angle, I didn't want to leave my comfy spot on the couch :P
More pictures here.
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