Ski and Tea

Though I still mourn leaving the northwoods - and vow to return, this has been a good year for cross country skiing. Being retired offers precious time to take advantage of the windows of snowfall that come and go in Milwaukee. Thank goodness for lake effect! The past few years I have taken annual trip(s) north to ski with a group of Forest Service women in northern Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. This year we skied the Birkie (trails - not the race.)

Thanks to Connie, in January I participated in my first ever ski clinic with the "Ski and Tea" group out of Hayward, Wisconsin. Just the sound of it is delightful, isn't it? The clinic involved classic and skating coaching from three delightful elite/Olympic hopeful skiers. After thirty years on skinny skis, I do have room for improvement as I have focused on the joy of skiing over technique. Most of all it was energizing to ski with women ranging from high school ski team members and stay at home moms to avid racers and a senior skier on her way to the Masters in France. The camaraderie was unforgettable. Picture fluffy snow through the pines balanced with hot tea and cookies in a log warming house to imagine what warms my heart.

I overheard one woman say "I don't enter it unless I think I can win it." More power to her, but that sure isn't me. Go ahead and ski your heart out but I just love a long day outdoors, skiing for myself. I'd be the one to be out the day before to avoid crowds and find my own zen-like-rhythm.

The experience also caused me to do a little soul searching. Why all this independence? The Ski and Tea group certainly demonstrated what synergy is all about. Skills and backgrounds were diverse but the nurturing and love of the outdoors was so grounded. I might just have to try it again.

Afterthought: This article gave me goosebumps. What a cool thing: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/113083/