cross-country skiing « coffee with Julie

Posts Tagged ‘cross-country skiing’

March 7th, 2010

The Winter Resolution series: Bush party! (shhhh … pass it on)

When I was a teenager, every so often word would spread that a “bush party” was going to take place on the weekend. Unlike the “house party” which took place at some poor unsuspecting parent’s home while they were away, a “bush party” involved no house, just a location in the woods somewhere.

The two types of parties still shared some commonalities — no parents, underage drinking and police showing up. The last item on the list being why the location of the bush party was to be a secret, passed by word of mouth on to friends. (Imagine how twitter has changed the world of teenage parties?!)

Last night, I feel like I stumbled upon the adult version of a bush party.

At about 4:40 in the afternoon, we headed out on the same trail I told you about here to have a cross-country ski outing. And in case this post makes you think that I’ve magically overturned years of winter hate in one season, such is not my life. Although I went out, I went out grudgingly.

As we started the ski, the sun was setting. It was beautiful and the outline of the trees against the shadow of the lake was a peaceful sight. But I couldn’t concentrate long enough to feel peaceful. My right knee was aching (old rugby injury), my neck was stiff (old car accident injury) and my dear daughter did not stop talking the entire time. It’s not that she was being annoying, it’s just that, for me the feeling of peace generally comes with quiet instead of knock-knock jokes.

We finally did reach the turn-off for the Shilly Shally. But instead, we decided to have our Saturday-night meal at a cabin called Keogan. The stars were out, but the path there was still dark.

Keogan cabin, Gatineau Park

We arrive to see that we are not alone here in the forest. Stacks of skiis and snow-shoes were outside. And through the windows, we could see candle-light and hear laughter.

As we enter, I see rows of wooden tables and smiles and cheer all around. On the tables were no peanut-butter and jam sandwiches, but fondue pots of cheese and chocolate, beautiful fresh breads and bottles of wine. In the middle of a dark forest, a Saturday night bush party!

We unpacked our goodies and enjoyed a delicious picnic that hubby had packed, complete with red wine that’d been stowed in a Sigg bottle. The kids were in heaven. And so was I.

Catching a quiet moment (despite the non-stop movement of my toddler in the corner of the shot!)

So, dear friends: Bush party at Keogan! shhh… pass it on ….

4 Comments »

February 2nd, 2010

The Winter Resolution series: The Shilly Shally

Ah, the infamous Shilly Shally. Stella has been raving about the charm of the Shilly Shally for years now. I’m not sure if she goes on about it unconsciously or as a conscious attempt to convince me to go cross-country skiing with her and hubby. Either way, I have always responded with something along the lines of “Have a special time with Daddy, while Mommy does some reading.”

But that changed on Sunday. Why? Oh, because of that damn inspiring winter resolution I made to learn how to not hate enjoy winter.

If you’re like me, you might have briefly wondered what the Shilly Shally actually is — and then turned the page in your novel. I’ll tell you anyhow, though. It’s a little wooden cabin in the Gatineau Hills where one can take a break while cross-country skiing. It’s kitted out with a wood burning stove and picnic bench, and Stella and hubby have shared many a hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course!) within its comfort.

This weekend, I’d promised my gang to join them cross-country skiing. On Saturday, I said, “Oh, I thought we’d agreed to Sunday?” On Sunday, I started chugging coffee and convincing myself it would be fun. Hubby did his darndest to convince me too — cooking us all a blueberry pancake breakfast and packing all the gear and lunch on his own. How could I back out now?

So, there I was, in the car, driving to the Gatineaus. We parked and began the Promenade du Lac-Fortune Parkway. As always in the Gatineaus, the trails were beautifully groomed and even better — the sun had started to shine on us. Just like going to the gym, once I was actually there and started, I thought “gee, this is great! I should do this more often.”

Seriously, it felt wonderful. I have an old neck injury, so a lot of exercise I do doesn’t end up feeling wonderful, but cross-country skiing is no-impact and it felt as strenuous as a brisk walk. The total route was about 9 kms. If you think that sounds like a long ways, I did too, but take heart — I am completely out of shape and both me and my seven-year-old daughter managed it — so I’m sure you can too! (All of the gear did its magic and proved its worth, btw).

This is the summary then …

Negative thoughts:

This is a heck of a lot of preparation, packing and driving just for a couple of hours of skiing.
I bet I could burn more calories on the tread mill at the gym — and in less time.
I hope I’m not going to be cold.
I don’t think Max is enjoying himself.
I better be skinny at the end of this.

Positive thoughts:

Oh, it is so beautiful out here! The forest, the lakes, the fresh air!
Stella is amazing — look at her endurance!
There are so many awesome fathers out here taking their children skiing or pulling them in sleds. (Including my own husband.)
I’m not so outta shape as I thought I was; I’m doing just fine.
This is the perfect way to spend a Sunday. Who cares if it is “slow” — that’s what it’s all about — just spending time together.
Max is totally charming the pants off the other skiers here in the Shilly Shally — that’s my boy!
Mmmm … hot chocolate!
Wow, even the outhouse is nicely maintained here.
I could seriously live in this Shilly Shally shack, it’s so darn cute!
Oh yes! Great idea — yummy cappuccino from a Chelsea coffee shop for the drive home and home-baked cookies for the kids!

So, as you can see, the positives definitely outnumber the negatives. I know this now … still fresh in my memory. But I’m sure that having written them out will be helpful for me to refer to the next Sunday I am to exchange quiet reading time in exchange for healthy, family time.

It really was the perfect Sunday.

rsz_1shillyshally

3 Comments »

January 1st, 2010

The Winter Resolution Series: Getting the Gear

On December 4th, I made a public resolution on this blog. And that was: Find a way to enjoy winter. Notice how I didn’t use the word “love,” but simply “enjoy” (as in, “not hate with a bitterness that last three months”). On today, the first day of not only a fresh new year, but also a fresh new decade, it seems like an apt time to share an update.

The experts (i.e. my husband) insist that enjoying winter is all about getting the right gear. And then wearing this gear in layers.

The down-side to getting the right gear, is that the “right” gear can be expensive. The up-side, however, is that it literally lasts forever. Hubby has been slowing acquiring high-end winter gear since he moved here from Australia 14 years ago. He’s had every piece since he’s bought it – nothing has worn out or needed replacing. (Then again, unlike moi, he’s been the same size for the past 14 years too, so that helps.)

He is a patient man and started this process when we were newly-weds living on a very tight income. I, on the other hand, am not patient nor do I have another 14 years to spend acquiring this stuff.

So what I did is this: I want to one local store (Bushtukah) and got everything essential in one foul swoop. Although I managed to get everything on sale, I admit that I had to bite my lip when I heard the total bill. The amount that I spent on this stuff would have gone a long way towards replacing one of our 1970s-era kitchen appliances! But alas, life is about the experience, right?

So, in case you are on the same experience as me, here is the gear I picked up and how it’s worked out so far.

gear small

From top to bottom:

Hat: cotton knit, already in my closet
Base layer: “smart wool” long-johns, from hubby’s closet
Mid layer: Sierra Designs light micro-fleece jacket with full zip (on sale for $42.30)
Outer layer: Running Room jacket already in my closet from failed attempt at running course
Gloves: Black Diamond 100 gram Thinsulate, from Santa
Pants: Louis Garneau Vital Pant (on sale for $74.70)
Ski poles:Louis Garneau (on sale for $20)
Cross-country skis: Fisher Sporty-wax (on sale for $119.20)
Ski boots: Madshus Boot, Amica (on sale for $113.60)
Socks: SmartWool brand, medium cushion (on sale for $17.95)

The biggest improvement from what I used to wear is the pants. I already own thick snowpants like the kind children wear, but they are really bulky. These new Louis Garneau pants, however, are just perfect! I was skeptical that I’d be warm enough in them, but they are awesome because they keep the sweat off your skin while still providing insulation. (My hubby had originally suggested a different type of pant, one like he wears. But they were only available in a fitted waist and I thought that was too risky since my weight fluctuates so much. I know that if I put on my pants and they are tight, I get depressed. And that’s no way to start an outdoor adventure!)

As for the actual ski gear, I picked up all basic starter stuff. With the exception of the boots which I paid about $20 more for an upgraded pair that had a stiffer heel. I’m very happy with them. My feet were perfectly comfortable and toasty warm the whole time (and this is really saying something since I wear at least two pairs of socks to bed!).

Speaking of socks … I really don’t like the idea of spending more than a few bucks on socks. But the outsdoorsy folk I know always swear that good socks (meaning good wool socks) are critical. They have a saying: “cotton is rotten.” That’s because when cotton gets wet from sweat, it just stays wet, whereas wool is a natural fibre that wicks the sweat away from your skin. Every year I give my husband some “fancy” socks in his stocking and every year he is grateful. Now I know why — cuz they rock!

Have you been out doing outdoorsy stuff yet this winter? I am perpetually amazed when I see people out biking or running in the snow. I don’t think I’ll ever get to their point of winter-acceptance, but I am slowly working my way towards a kind of acceptance nonetheless.