I added 2 new photos to the photo-portfolio and also there is a new folder of thanksgiving pictures.
My Thanksgiving:
I think there was only one bad thing about it, and that was having to use an outhouse in temperatures below 20 degrees.
That aside, it was amazing.
I packed Wednesday and headed off for my weekend with some trepidation. My tripleader Helen was the only person I really knew, the others were Cabin and Trail kids I knew only vaguely if at all.
When we arrived at the cabin I stepped off the bus into, well, a winter wonderland. A foot of snow gleaming in the night, leafless trees crisscrossing the stars. In the cabin, Rory immediately set about splitting wood for the furnace as we claimed beds. As soon as the furnace was roaring we all huddled around, waiting for the warmth.
We ate a light breakfast of bagels and jam the next morning before Joanna, Ariel, Armin, and I headed off to Lookout Ledge. Joanna showed us how to wear and walk in our snowshoes, and we began hiking. I do believe it was one of the longest 1.5 miles I've hiked in a while. Not that the trail was particularly hard all the way- just that snowshoes are challenging and snow is frustrating when you sink several inches with each step and trip over concealed rocks and it gets in your boots and gloves and hair. The view from the ledge was well worth the hike, though, as was skiddingslipsliding back downhill.
Several of the boys left at 6 AM to summit Mt. Madison, an over 4,000 foot peak nearby. They were back by lunchtime with ice in their eyelashes.
After we'd all started Thanksgiving preparations several of us went out cross country skiing. With only a little effort, I got it down and was skiing right along on the roadside. Of course when we got back I wasn't ready to come in. Setting our skis against the porch I noticed the incredible icicles. (see photo folder)
Dinner took all afternoon to make. Roast turkey, 2 kinds of stuffing, 2 kinds of cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, followed by homemade apple pie and several tubs of ice cream. Our table, with food in cooking-pots and mismatched dishes, was homely, but no one minded. The food was simply fantastic.
Afterwards we sat around nursing full stomachs by the furnace as the food and warmth became too much for some and people started falling asleep.
On Friday Ariel and I set off on xc skis together and skiied for nearly 3 hours along an abandoned railroad bed. The scenery was great and so was the conversation - Ariel's awesome.
After dinner Friday night most of us piled into the bus to go watch the closest town's Christmas parade, as several people stayed behind to do dishes. Yes, people actually were willing to stay behind and do dishes! The parade was just like those we have at home - marching band and lighted floats and veterans all waving and singing Christmas carols. We were then treated to some fantastic fireworks while huddled in the cold.
The next morning I woke up and didn't feel like going out, so I planted myself on the couch and read happily for a while as homemade cinnamon buns baked. And they were unbelievably good. We ate them all.
We packed and cleaned the cabin efficiently, everyone taking chores and working to make it just as we found it. After a scenic drive home (Franconia Notch is gorgeous!) and some time unpacking rented gear, I made it home. And I ate. And I slept. And life was really, really good.